May is National Community Action Month which was created by the Community Action Partnership to highlight Community Action Agencies’ role in helping low-income individuals and families to move out of poverty and achieve economic security.
During National Community Action Month and throughout the year, Community Action Agencies put a human face on poverty while helping people and changing lives. For 54 years they have advocated for limited-income citizens without a voice, so that they may enter the middle class and reach for the American dream, replacing their despair with opportunity. Community Action builds and promotes economic stability as an essential aspect of enabling and enhancing stronger communities, which in turn promotes self-sufficiency, ensuring that all Americans are able to live in dignity. Community Action has enhanced the lives of hundreds of people in Union County and millions of people across America by providing essential, life-changing services and opportunities such as housing, job training and placement, nutritional services; health care, energy assistance, linkages to entitlement and workforce development programs; and behavioral health counseling for substance abuse and mental health.
National Community Action Month is an opportunity to call attention to poverty-related problems. As Community Action Agencies are showcasing their programs, they are also giving local residents—many who are unaware of the poverty in their communities—a first-hand look at the struggles low-income families face and how Community Action programs help them.
In honor of National Community Action Month, Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, The Gateway Family YMCA, PROCEED, Inc. and The Salvation Army of Elizabeth will join Community Action Agencies across the country in hosting events and activities in the month of May. For over 50 years, Community Action Agencies have assisted millions of low-income Americans in achieving financial stability through a variety of programs.
(Job Readiness Boot Camp)