May is Community Action Month in Michigan and Nation

Congress has proclaimed May as National Community Action Month in recognition of the more than 1,100 Community Action Agencies across the country, including 29 in Michigan.

Okemos MI— Congress has proclaimed May as National Community Action Month in recognition of the more than 1,100 Community Action Agencies across the country, including 29 in Michigan. Community Action has roots dating back to the 1960s when they were designated as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty movement.

In support of that designation, Michigan State Representative George Darany (D-15) submitted House Resolution 113 listing items for which Michigan’s 29 Community Action Agencies deserve recognition, including the fact that more than 36,000 homes of low income residents were weatherized by the agencies since 2009 and that the agencies served more than a half million Michigan residents last year to help them improve their economic well-being and self-sufficiency.

“Community Action Agencies are contributing to Michigan’s economic recovery,” said Frank Taylor, interim executive director of Michigan Community Action Agency Association. “They help the working poor, the elderly and disabled, and many of our out of work neighbors marshal resources to get out or stay out of poverty. Their success stories ripple through the economy, spurring growth and creating more opportunities. We are proud to have their work recognized by the Congress and our state legislature.”

Taylor also pointed to the recent completion of the weatherization campaign as evidence of the “ripple” effect. “When a Community Action Agency weatherizes a home, there’s work for contractors, sales for material suppliers, savings for the homeowner, and improved housing stock for the neighborhood. Most of that money stays in the local economies,” he reported.

In the legislative resolution, Representative Darany cites Community Action Agencies’ role in early childhood development, senior services, affordable housing, food assistance, and energy assistance program, and further notes Community Action Agencies “are the only statewide community-based organizations providing full wrap-around, locally directed services in all 83 counties.”

Michigan Community Action Agency Association is the state association of 29 CAAs in Michigan. CAAs promote the economic self-sufficiency of low income families and individuals, with programs that include food and energy assistance, early childhood development, affordable housing, and senior services, and more. CAAs are community-based organizations whose governing boards are comprised of representatives from the private sector, local government, and low income residents. For more information or to find the CAA serving your area, please visit www.mcaaa.org

House Resolution No. 118.
A resolution to declare May 2013 as CommunityAction Agency Month in the state of  Michigan.
Whereas, Citizens with limited income continue to need opportunities to improve their lives and their living conditions, thus ensuring that all citizens are able to live in dignity;
and
Whereas, Michigan and the entire United States must continue to promote economic security by providing support and opportunities for all citizens in need of assistance;
and
Whereas, Community action agencies were signed into law in 1964 under President Lyndon Johnson in an effort to aid in the War on Poverty;
and
Whereas, The month of May has been designated by the United States Congress as National Community Action Month; and Whereas, Michigan’s 29 community action agencies are the only community-based organizations providing full wrap around, locally directed services in all 83 counties in the state;
and
Whereas, Community action agencies in Michigan provide services or links to services to more than 506,000 Michigan residents every year;
and
Whereas, Michigan’s community action agencies assist nearly 235,000 families statewide by providing a variety of services such asearly childhood development, senior services, affordable housing, food assistance, energy assistance, and job training programs among others;
and
Whereas, Community action agencies, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Human Services, have successfully administered weatherization assistance program funds which support energy efficiency improvements in more than 36,000 Michigan homes since 2009;
and
Whereas, Community action agencies in Michigan serve as catalysts for innovative partnerships with such examples as the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, which has assisted over 12,800 residents from 22 local aid sites in areas focusing in community and economic development, homeless and housing services, youth and family educational services,
stability and life skills services, and basic needs in 2010;
and
Whereas, Michigan’s community action agencies have leveraged their federal allocation of the Community Services Block Grant and other federal, state, local, and private sources of funding to create more than $412,000,000 in economic activity statewide in 2012;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2013 as Community Action Agency Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Community Action Agency Association.

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