How will you tell your story?

Each year Community Action Month presents an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the people and communities we serve and promote agency programs and services that help families succeed. As Community Action Agencies across the country lift these stories up throughout the month, it enables the message of the impact of our work to be amplified and energized! The National Community Action Partnership has created a comprehensive toolkit to help you craft your messages and plan for the month. In this toolkit you’ll find ideas for how to celebrate, sample messages, social media graphics, template press releases, tips on telling your stories to the media, and much more. Also make sure to download the calendar so that you can highlight your agency’s work throughout the month along with your peers. Let us know what you are planning and/or what you’ve done for Community Action Month by emailing gail.doyle@dss.virginia.gov.

• Download the Community Action Month Toolkit
• Downloadable Social Media Huggy Heart Selfie Sign
• National Community Action Month Calendar
• Downloadable Virginia Graphic
• Official social media hashtags: #CommunityActionResponds, #WeR1000Strong, #BeCommunityAction

The annual Community Action Plan was due on May 1, 2023. Thank you to everyone who worked on getting these plans in by the deadline. Our team will be reviewing the components of the CAP Plan within the next few weeks. You will receive feedback on all components from CSBG staff members.

The Virginia CSBG office will be hosting a virtual wellness workshop for Virginia Community Action Agency’s (CAAs) on Tuesday, June 13^th, from 10 am to 11:30 am. Thriving and Finding Joy in the Workplace, is an interactive workshop emphasizing “pillars of happiness” at work such as balance, integrity, meaning and compassion that can be strengthened through a more intentional focus on personal values. When our values are evident in our workplace, professional joy is enhanced.

Our presenters will be Drs. Tammy Gilligan and Michele Kielty, professors at James Madison University and owner of Barrenridge Consulting LLC. 

Click here to register. 

Deadline for registration is June 9.

Once you have registered, you will receive an email with the sessions Zoom login information. 

We are excited to be partnering with the Region 3 Regional Innovation and Performance Consortia (RPIC) to offer a variety of trainings over the next several months. These trainings are open to any staff or board member who may be interested, please forward as needed. There will be two webinars each month between February and August, topics vary each month, so make sure to sign up for any session relevant to your position!

MaySessions:

• Important Board Decisions for Your Community Action Agency
• May 11, 2023, 2-3pm
• Register
• Identify key financial choices your Board should explore and develop strategies to present the information needed to evaluate options. We’ll explore multiple strategic decisions, including setting cash reserves targets and strategies to achieve them, purchasing/redeveloping facilities, expanding/contracting services, compensation strategies, improving compliance (for CAAs with audit findings or difficulties with monitors), Board composition and role, and building unrestricted contributions.

• Authentic Communication, Part III: Collaborative Communication
• May 25, 2023,10-11am
• Register
• Communication that enhances the collective brilliance of a team is essential for performance and joy in our work. Learn the five simple but not easy practices to work together more effectively.

VACAP is hosting a series of Regional Peer Exchanges throughout the month of May. Join fellow community action peers in your region for a day of networking, information exchange and hear updates on topics from VACAP’s partners. VACAP’s Training and Innovations Committee is excited to implement a one-day regional meeting designed to allow large teams from each agency to experience the support and ideas of peers from the network that is a short drive from your agency. Bring a van full of community action team members!

Register today!

Hampton Region: May 17th, 9:30am - 2pm Register

Wytheville Region: May 24th, 9:30am - 2pm Register

Fredericksburg Region: May 31st, 9:30am - 2pm Register

As calendars fill with activities for Community Action Month, World Day for Cultural Diversity on Sunday, May 21^st is an opportunity to revisit its history and consider how global aspirations can be reflected locally. During this time, it is important to understand that language is powerful, and imperfect, and that we can strive toward inclusion and acceptance in the words we choose. Othering is a concept that can be consciously avoided. While demonstrating respect for and interest in celebrating differences is valuable, using language and exhibiting treatment that insinuates a group or individual is somehow other than standard is detrimental. Even use of the term minority can perpetuate “an ‘us vs. them’ narrative,” which can block progress in building equitable practices. Read More

Wyatt Spage, the OEO Financial Empowerment VISTA member has been working over the past several months on an economic empowerment tool kit. Wyatt has been researching Community Action Agencies, external resources and conducting interviews with Community Action leadership. Some key points from his work so far include the following:

• Self-sufficiency is often equated with being able to meet one’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. However, true self-sufficiency goes beyond these necessities and involves having the resources to pursue one’s goal and aspirations. Financial empowerment is a crucial aspect of self-sufficiency, as it allows individuals to make choices that support their long-term financial stabilities and dreams.
• One of the most important factors influencing financial empowerment is generational wealth. Generational wealth can provide a foundation for financial security and create opportunities for future generations. However, without financial literacy, generational wealth can also be a burden. Inherited wealth will be quickly depleted if not managed effectively, leading to financial instability and a lack of opportunities for future generations. Financial literacy is not only something for those with generational wealth. The degree to which financial literacy can take someone out of financial instability needs to be researched more. Moreover, the interplay of these two factors, generational wealth and financial literacy, is something that will be explored in the toolkit.
• Building credit is another aspect of financial empowerment. Credit is necessary for many aspects of life, from buying a home to obtaining a loan for education. Good credit can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise be closed. However, bad credit can make those who are economically unstable pay more for goods and services than those who are economically stable. That said, building good credit takes time and effort. As a result, there is so much room to grow for Community Action Agencies in this area.

In conclusion, financial empowerment is crucial for individuals who wish to thrive and achieve long-term financial stability. It involves understanding the interplay between generational wealth and financial literacy and importance of building credit. By focusing on these key areas, individuals can take control of their financial future and create opportunities for themselves and future generations. As we focus on these goals we would like to remind all Community Action Agencies that this process is ongoing. Our survey is still open, and should you wish to participate, the link is attached here: (Microsoft Forms)