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EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

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Governing Board

of Directors

Randy P. Berger –

Chairperson

Doug Ahrens

Robert Boyd

Brenda Brown

Jacquilyn Collins

Courtny Gaston

Michael Goodyear

Gayle Lewis

Ana Nasser

Mike Marron

Leon Parker

Elder Tyson Parks

Dr. Melvia Russell

Observing Community Action Month…

On August 20, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity

Act which created a variety of programs, including Community Action Agencies, as

part of the President’s War on Poverty. He knew then as we know now, that the war

against poverty must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office,

from the courthouse to the White House.

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency was established in 1965 to wage the

war on poverty in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties by promoting self-sufficiency

for those of limited income, ensuring that all residents are able to live in dignity; by

implementing innovative and cost-effective programs to improve the lives and living

conditions of the impoverished; by providing support and instruction for everyone in

need of assistance; and by being a major voice of reason in establishing welfare system

reforms.

Over 51 years later, the battle wages on. Community Action has developed meaningful

evidence-based, results-driven services that address the needs of our most vulnerable

citizen in the areas of Education, Employment Readiness, and Equitable, and

Affordable Housing; recognizing that stability in those core areas is the key to creatingand sustaining economic self-sufficiency.

The Promise Community Action

“Community Action changes people’s lives,

embodies the spirit of hope, improves

communities, and makes America a better

place to live. We care about the entire

community, and we are

dedicated to helping people

help themselves and

each other.”

Community Action Agencies throughout the United

States commemorated May 2016 as Community Action

Month to celebrate their longstanding commitment to

combating the causes and effects of poverty in their

respective communities.

Community Action Month was a wonderful time to

honor and celebrate the impact Community Action

Agencies have in the lives of families and communities across the country.

Agencies are successful everyday in helping families achieve economic security.

Given that the needs of each family and community are unique, Community

Action is able to use a range of resources and programs to meet local needs in

creative and impactful ways.

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency’s statistics underscore a

positive impact on local neighborhoods. The Agency helps countless individuals

improve their lives each year by providing them essential services and

life-changing opportunities through educational opportunities, homeownership

and financial counseling, employment readiness, access to affordable housing,

senior nutritional support, energy assistance, youth enrichment activities and

more.

Despite experiencing budget cuts, shrinking resources, and increased demands

for services during these challenging economic times, East Central Illinois

Community Action Agency has been remarkably successful in assisting low-

income veterans, senior citizens and families in its service delivery area to

achieve and maintain economic security. Our staff members are committed to

their task of replacing challenges with opportunities because it is right and wise.

In our hearts and minds we believe it is possible to conquer poverty in our

lifetime.

To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Agency hosted a Community

Health Fair and Outreach Day on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the David S.

Palmer Arena. Details of this incredible event are featured in this edition of

VOCA. I would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Honorable Scott

Eisenhauser – Mayor, City of Danville, Mr. Michael Marron – Chairperson,

Vermilion County Board, Mr. Michael T. Brown – Executive Director,

Danville Family YMCA, Rob Gifford – Executive Director, Boys and Girls

Club of Danville, the David S. Palmer Arena team, and our countless local

community partners who actively participated in and supported this endeavor.

Each and everyone of them contributed greatly to the success of this event!

Warmest Regards,

AngéleAngéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer

This fiscal year’s Low Income Heating

Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

has come to a successful end. LIHEAP

provides payments to income eligible

individuals and families’ energy providers.

More often than not customers eligible for

this service live in housing that is

substandard, often energy inefficient. These

citizens spend a disproportionate amount of

their incomes on home heating and cooling

costs. LIHEAP helps reduce home energy

burdens; creating a warmer and healthier

environment.

Energy Programs

The Weatherization Program is scheduled to weatherize 17 homes by June 30, 2016.

These homeowners will begin to see a sustainable reduction in their energy bills. On the

average, the value of weatherization improvements is 2.2 times greater than the cost to

actually weatherize the home. Home energy audits and diagnostic equipment such as blower

doors and infrared cameras were used to determine the most cost-effective measures for each

home. Typical measures include installing insulation, reducing air infiltration and pressure

imbalances, sealing and repairing ducts, tuning and repairing heating and cooling units. The

Agency has prepared assessments for next year to allow Weatherization services to begin at

the earliest authorized date.

The Family and Community Development (FCD) Specialists work diligently to provide

excellent customer service. The FCD Specialists Team processed a grand total of 5,773

LIHEAP applications (Ford County 453, Iroquois County 877, and Vermilion County

4,443). The Agency’s Energy Assistance Program made 9,410 energy payments and

disbursed $2,681,767.48 on behalf of the citizens that qualified for assistance.

The new program year is scheduled to begin September 1, 2016.

During the 2015-2016 program year, ECICAA served 226 four year old students. Among

the 226 four year old students, 78 percent or 176 students were rated as “proficient” in all

school readiness skills. The remaining 22 percent or 50 four year old students were students

with disabilities and Individual Education Plans (IEP). This group of four year old children

with documented special needs are on the verge of attaining most of their school readiness

goals. The program’s school readiness skills attainment rate for four year olds in the 2015-

2016 school year is 9% higher than the number of four year olds who transitioned from

Head Start in the program year the previous year.

Education Initiatives

The Fair Oaks Head Start Center developed an on-site

GED program. Parents are able to attend GED

classes while their children attend Head Start

sessions. At the end of the second quarter of the

program year 2015-2016, 97 percent of the parents

were progressing in attaining their educational goals

by enrolling in some form of formal educational

classes.

In 2015-2016, Head Start and Early Head Start

parents set education goals. At the end of the second

quarter, 97% of the parents were progressing in

attaining their education goals by enrolling in some

form of educational classes; 99 percent of the

parents are actively seeking employment and 26

percent of Head Start parents entered employment

at the end of the second quarter. As the program

motivates parents to attain education and enter

employment, the local community’s economy isstrengthened.

In 2015/2016, MIECHV children who entered the program with language development

challenges, have shown measurable growth in language development and sentence formation

during this quarter. These successes have been from a direct partnership between theMIECHV parents and home visitors.

This year, three year old children who were prior Early Head Start students were compared

to children without Early Head Start services. The data revealed that 100 percent of three

year old children who transitioned from Early Head Start into a 6 hour classroom were

rated “proficient” in attaining their school readiness skills at the end of the 2015-2016 third

quarter.

As the Head Start, Early Head Start and

Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home

Visiting (MIECHV) programs come to a

close, the Agency looks back on its

accomplishments in 2015/2016:

College Bound Teens

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) team has been busy this year serving 600 Vermilion

County Youth from grades 6-12. ETS is a federally funded college outreach program that

encourages and inspires students from disadvantaged and low income environments to

attend, strive, and graduate from college after graduating from high school.

This past academic year, the Agency provided 225,365 minutes of services (or 3,765

hours). Student participated in college campus visits over their spring break. The ETS

Students toured Illinois State University (Normal, IL) and Eastern Illinois University

(Charleston, IL).

The program year concluded with a Senior Recognition

Reception at The Social located in Downtown Danville;

where 63 graduating seniors were recognized and

celebrated for their accomplishments. The Agency

wishes its graduating seniors the best of luck as they

continue with post-secondary educational pursuits; 61

students will be attending a two or four-year college.

The remaining two students have chosen to serve and

protect our country by enlisting in the Navy.

The ETS staff remains dedicated to providing quality

academic outreach and support this summer at the

DACC Stem camp, Danville District 118 Summer

School (Middle and High Schools), and the HoopestonMulti-Agency’s Rising Leaders Summer Program.

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency held its Community Health Fair and

Outreach Day to commemorate Community Action Month on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at

David S. Palmer Arena from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The purpose of the event was to raise

awareness of the importance of health and wellness; to provide information regarding vital

services offered by local human and social organizations; and to celebrate the positive

impact Community Action has on the communities it serves.

The event was a resounding success with over 400 parents and children in attendance.

Participants were provided with valuable resources from over 50 staff members

representing more than 25 local health, human, and social services organizations as

well as local businesses. Representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield, New Directions

Treatment Center, Worksource, Habitat for Humanity, Robinson Chiropractic,

University of Illinois – Cooperative Extension, and Danville Area Community College

– to name a few – set up interactive, informational booths. Dr. Vernesha Montgomery

of Carle Foundation Hospital, energized the crowd and increased everyone’s heartrate

with a Zumba demonstration.

Children were delighted with a variety of entertainment options. In additional to carnival

games and prizes, face painting and bounce houses, Tameka Hall, owner/operator of

Lifted Up Balloons Design, not only enhanced the aesthetics of the event with her

beautifully crafted creations, she provided crowd pleasing balloon twisting; creating a

variety of animals and incredible shapes and figures. Community sensation Don Black of

Joyful Bubbles wowed the children with his amazing and beautiful bubble art. He also let

the kids get into the act by crafting bubble designs of their own. There was a petting zoo

featuring a miniature horse, an emu, baby goats, rabbits, pigs, and other furry friends that

drove the children wild with excitement! If that was not enough, characters from Disney’s

Frozen™ and a Teen-aged Mutant Ninja Turtle™ were on-site engaging and taking

photographs with the kids.

To culminate this spectacular event, Honorable Scott Eisenhauer – Mayor, City of

Danville presented a proclamation declaring May 26th Community Action Day. Mr.

Michael Marron, Vermilion County Board Chairperson, offered words of

congratulations. Dr. Melvia Russell provided greetings from Community Action’s

Governing Board of Directors. Michael Brown – Executive Director of the Danville

Family YMCA and Rob Gifford – Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs touted

the significance of the partnerships between their organizations and Community Action.

Dr. Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, CEO of Community Action, addressed the crowd;

conveying the important role the Agency’s services and programming have played in the

lives of individuals and families in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Counties. She stressed

the unwavering commitment Community Action has in strengthening and cultivating

partnerships across all sectors of the community. She also emphasized

that the Agency will continue to serve as a major catalyst that

equalizes our most vulnerable residents in the areas of

Education, Employment Readiness, and Equitable

and Affordable Housing.

Health, Wellness, Information, Music, Food

and Fun…Oh My!

Scenes from the Community Health Fair

and Outreach Day…

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On Thursday, June 16, 2016 Ameren Illinois hosted a

press event announcing the donation of 60 energy

efficient window air conditioning units to

Community Action to help keep residents of Ford,

Iroquois, and Vermilion counties cool and safe thissummer from grueling temperatures.

Ameren Donates Air Conditioning Units

“Ameren Illinois’ donation today will tremendously help 60 families,” said Angéle

Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Community Action. Dr. Burns

stated, “The Agency is eager to get these units in the hands and homes of citizens who

need them most.”

Ameren Illinois made the donation through its Ameren Cares program, an initiative that

connects Ameren Illinois with the communities it serves through charitable giving and

volunteering. Since its inception of Ameren Cares in 2013, the program has donated 1,700

air conditioners units to customers.

Within a matter of days, the units were in the homes

of our most vulnerable citizens. Sixty households

with children under the age of six years, senior

citizens, individuals with a documented disability or a

medical condition were the recipients of the units. All

families met Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Program income guidelines.

Great Strides for VITAThe Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program completed its sixth year

providing local low to moderate income residents with free tax preparation. This is the first

year Community Action has lead the Vermilion VITA Coalition. The VITA program

served over 1,230 clients this season which exceeded last year’s number of

805. Community Action’s team members were committed to marketing VITA services at

every opportunity. The FCD Specialists, who are on the front line serving customers, wore

buttons, displayed signage at their desks, and provided families with flyers regarding VITA

services. The Vermilion VITA Coalition facilitated refunds of over $1.2 million and

receipt of Earned Income Credits exceeding $720,000.

The VITA program offers free tax

preparation to individuals earning

$30,000 or less or families earning

$54,000 or less or persons with

disabilities, the elderly and limited

English speaking taxpayers. IRS-

certified volunteers provide free

basic income tax return preparation

with electronic filing. Assistance

was provided in Danville,

Georgetown, and Hoopeston IL and

in Covington and Clinton, IN.

“No Man is An Island” ~ John Donne. Developing meaningful collaborations with

community partners is a tenet of Community Action. With a common goal of strengthening

the lives of the most vulnerable citizens in the community, the Agency commits resources,

information, and expertise to local organizations whose mission and vision are in direct

alignment with Community Action’s organizational goals and objectives.

It Takes A Village

This summer over 100 youth from families with low

incomes will be afforded the opportunity to participate

in a variety of camp options that focus on enhancements

in education, health, wellness, leadership, personal

development, and financial literacy. Community Action

has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of

Vermilion County, Boys and Girls Club of Danville,

Danville Area Community College, Danville Family

YMCA and the Hoopeston Multi-Agency; donating

over $32,500 to these fellow not-for-profit

organizations.

These partnerships provide youth in our community with

structured activities in a safe, wholesome environment

that promotes continued learning and growth over the

summer months.

Fred Whitman, Director of Energy and Customer

Service for the East Central Illinois Community Action

Agency shared his expertise by serving on an Affordable

Housing panel during the Illinois Community Action

Agencies Association Conference, at the Crowne Plaza in

Springfield from May 3 – 5, 2016.

Community Action:

The Affordable Housing Torchbearers

The workshop, titled Putting the Pieces Together: How ICADC Can Help, was a lively,

informative discussion facilitated by Niccole Clements, Director of the Illinois

Community Action Development Corporation. The purpose of the workshop was to

help Community Action Agencies understand the services the Illinois Community Action

Development Council (ICADC) has available to help meet the housing needs of

communities, generate unrestricted funds, and help boost the local economy.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Whitman answered questions about Prairie Meadows, a

subdivision in Hoopeston, IL which consists of 25 affordable, single-family homes.

ICADC, the Agency, and the City of Hoopeston were instrumental in developing Prairie

Meadows, in 2006.

If you have any questions about Prairie Meadow, please contact Fred Whitman via email atfwhitman@comaction.org or by telephone at 217-554-9124.

On Friday, March 11, 2016, Community Action commemorated 51 years of service with

a captive audience. The 51st Annual Dinner and Business Meeting was held at Turtle Run

Golf and Banquet Center, this elegant affair is the Agency’s signature fundraising event

designed to generate funds – through ticket sales, donations, and proceeds from a silent

auction. These donations strengthen Community Action’s education, employment andeconomic development initiatives.

51 Years and Counting

This year’s theme was “Celebrating 51 Years of

Creating Community Sustainability through

Economic Development.” The Honorable Scott

Eisenhauser, Mayor – City of Danville served as

the evening’s Master of Ceremonies with Doc

Ashton and the Root Canals providing musical

entertainment. As a special treat, vocalists Marti

Lindvahl and Christian Cunningham filled the

evening with smooth, melodic sounds.

Curtis Zimmerman, best selling author and

motivational speaker, offered the event’s keynote

address. His presentation was an awe inspiring,

yet heart wrenching account of his turbulent

childhood. Curtis attributed his staunch

determination to alter the trajectory of his life to a

compassionate and committed Head Start teacher.

His message resonated with all cross-sections of

the community who were in attendance.

The following distinguished members of the community were honored for their

outstanding contributions in the areas of economic development, education, and health:

Community Action Movement: Economic Development

• Mr. Thomas J. Chamberlain, Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan ~ Leadership

Honorable Bill Crusinberry, Mayor – City of Hoopeston ~ Visionary

• Mr. Louis L. Mervis, Mervis Industries ~ Legacy

Community Service Awardees

• Ms. Niccole Clements, Illinois Community Action Development Corporation

• Dr. Phillip Conn, DDS• Mrs. Ellie Stolz, Retired Elementary Teacher

We would like to extend a special thanks to the 51st Annual

Dinner and Business Meeting’s Silver Sponsors, Table

Sponsors, and the Silent Auction Donors for their

generosity and ongoing support and confidence in

Community Action and its meaningful services.

51st Annual Dinner

and Business Meeting

Corporate Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Arnold’s Office Supply, Inc.

New Life Church of Faith

Old National Insurance

Woodard’s Computing

Services

Wright’s Heating and Air

Table Sponsors

21st Century Christian

Workshop Center

Mr. Leonard S. Bryant, II and

Mrs. Chantal Savage Bryant

Angéle Thibodeaux

Burns, Ph.D. and

LaVias M. Burns, M.D.

Carle Hoopeston Regional

Health Center

CRIS Senior Services

Danville Family YMCA

Danville Housing Authority

Danville School District

DTI Office Solutions

Mr. and Mrs. Larry and

Delia Farmer

Faulstich Printing Company

Gfi Digital

Illinois Association of

Community Action Agencies

Iroquois Federal Savings

and Loans

New Directions

Treatment Center

Congratulations, Teena!!!

Team members from Community Action participated in the Vermilion County Rape Crisis

Center’s (VCRCC) fourth annual Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes community event on Saturday,

April 24, 2016 in Temple Plaza in Downtown Danville. The purpose of this fundraising

event was to bring awareness and provide support against the sexual violence of women and

children. Male participants were encouraged to literally walk a mile in her shoes by donning a

pair of high-heeled women’s shoes.

Community Action Cares!

Teena has always been an optimist; viewing the glass as half full in even the most dire of

situations. She is a natural problem-solver who offers a solution based approach when facing

challenges. In the truest essence of the Agency’s mission and vision, Teena is committed to

working as hard and long as required to meet the needs of the families she serves, fellow team

members she leads and to fulfill the Agency’s organizational goals and objectives. But not on

Thursdays; which is reserved for date night with her husband of 28 years, Chris!

Due to her leadership, dedication, compassion, and unrelenting work ethic, Teena was named

the 2016 Chief Executive Officer’s Award Recipient!

Teena Alpers, Supervisor – Curriculum in the Head

Start Program, has worked for the Agency for 32 years.

Her personal and professional journey serves as a living

testimony of the power of Community Action. She was

first introduced to the Agency as a Head Start Parent with

no formal education. Through hard work, unwavering

perseverance, and support from Agency, Teena has

earned a Master’s Degree and holds a leadership position

within the organization. She also serves as a Board

Member on the Illinois State and Regional V Head StartAssociations.

Based on statistics provided by VCRCC, before the age of 18, a staggering one in three girls

and one in six boys are sexually abused. It was also stated that one in four female college

students have reported they had been the victims of attempted and completed rapes; often

times victimized by boyfriends, friends, or acquaintances.

Community Action rallied around this

noteworthy event by registering a total of

17 team members (not all team members

were present at the time of the photo).

This exceeded participation from all

other organizations at the event. Once

again Community Action

demonstrated it Cares!

Community Action

Employment Opportunities

• Chief Financial Officer

• Health Services Technician

• Head Start Home Base Teachers

• Head Start Teachers I & II

All vacancies are posted on the Agency’s Website.

To apply, please download an employment

application, submit the application, a Letter of

Interest, and resume to Audrey Randle, Human

Resource Specialist I, via postal or electronic to

arandle@comaction.org.

East Central Illinois

Community Action Agency

56 North Vermilion Street

Danville, IL 61832

www.comaction.org

DON’T FORGET!!!

Visit us, send a “Friend Request” and like us at:

Facebook.com/eastcentralIllinoiscommunityactionagency

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDANVILLE, IL 61832

PERMIT NO. 34

MissionTo provide information, training, education, and other services that engage

and empower families and communities to become self sufficient.