Community Action celebrates successes at annual in-service, but worries about possible federal funding cuts

Photo by Ginny Kropf: CAOG’s board president Barb Shine spoke during Community Action’s in-service day and praised staff for the work they have done in the community.

ALBION – The annual In-service Day for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee was again held this year at Albion Elks Lodge, with a theme of “Beacon of Hope: Illuminating Paths to Possibility.”

The day began with breakfast catered by the Coffee Pot Café and welcome by CAOG’s executive director Renee Hungerford, who announced the agency was incorporated Sept. 13, 1965, making it 60 years old this year. To celebrate, she declared June 20 an agency holiday, following Juneteenth and giving staff a long weekend off.

Board president Barb Shine introduced board members in attendance, welcomed guests and praised the staff for their accomplishments.

Hungerford next read the government impact of legislation proposed by President Trump in his budget, in which both the Community Services Block Grant, the foundational funding of a Community Action agency, and LIHEAP, a source that partially funds their weatherization program, are eliminated.

She also read a passage from Project 2025 which proposed the elimination of Head Start. She elaborated on the importance of raising awareness of these developments so people can voice their concerns before final decisions are made.

Hungerford stated she had responded to the president, but never got a reply.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Daniels: (Left) Ryan Lasal, director of Family Program Innovation/Chief Innovation Officer, and Tina Schleede, director of Finance and Administration/CFO, hand out awards during Community Action’s In-service Day. (Photo by Ginny Kropf – right) – Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, welcomes staff and guests to the annual In-service Day at Albion Elks Club.

Hungerford also urges everyone to read her letter to the editor on Orleans Hub, in which she stresses the importance of the Community Services Block Grant and how devastating it would be if the funding were lost.

A recap of Community Action showed the agency served nearly 5,000 individuals during the 2023-24 program year, an increase of more than 101% over the year ending in 2021. That equates to 2,628 households served.

 Approximately 2,600 individuals benefitted nutritionally from food panties, food distribution, surplus food and prepared meals at the Holley Center, while 687 households received holiday meal kits.

Community Action provided assistance to 141 individuals to avoid eviction and 78 individuals were aided in avoiding utility shut-off.

School supplies were provided to 206 children, and five individuals received employment support, including job searching assistance, on-the-job training and work appropriate clothing.

 The Main Street store continues to serve the community, with 92 prom dresses provided to students across eight counties; 182 individuals in need received hats, gloves and scarves; and the Wishing Tree in the store inspired 76 community donations of gifts, warm coats, socks and clothing.

The Head Start program continued to provide vital services to 201 enrolled children and 66 children enrolled in Early Head Start.

ACT – Helping Youth ACT Responsibly had 522 youth participate in the evidence-based, comprehensive pregnancy/STD prevention curriculum, and the Credit Recovery program had 22 students who attended, of which 11 demonstrated basic grade level achievement and eight obtained a high school diploma.

Motivational speaker Joe Roberts of Vancouver was keynote speaker for CAOG’s annual In-service day and shared his inspirational story of rising from a homeless addict to CEO of a multi-million company. His life story can be read on his website.

Community Action provides seniors and people with disabilities safe transportation for medical visits and personal needs. During the program year, 159 individuals received 4,052 one-way transportation trips.

Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership had 100 children enrolled and brought up to date on age-appropriate immunizations. The Child Resource Center provided referrals to 64 individuals to licensed child care providers.

The Weatherization program provided services to 123 homes, making them more efficient. Through a partnership with the Department of Social Services, 99 households received air conditioner installation.

In addition to that, Community Action had many other highlights throughout the past year. These included adding a mural on the Main Street store, being selected by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce to receive their Community Service Award, full reorganization of the agency was completed, a successful Stone Soup program was also completed and three teams expanded to the Arnold Gregory facility.

A number of community needs were identified, such as helping people become self-sufficient, advocating for working parents to have access to safe and affordable childcare, expanding health-related programs, explore avenues to meet increasing demand for food, partner in programs to increase affordable housing and reduce homelessness, expanding the Credit Recovery program to more Orleans County schools to increase graduation rates, help prevent death from overdose and become a distribution site for fentanyl and xylazine test kits, naloxone and educational materials and increase marketing, success stories, community involvement, etc. to increase brand awareness and public impact  of the important role of Community Action.

Looking ahead, Community Action has identified priorities as addressing the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, developing the 2026 Community Needs Assessment and updated Strategic Plan, developing a Mental Health satellite at Holley, updating Mission and Vision statements, creating expanded transportation opportunities and exploring housing opportunities and partnerships.

One exciting new initiative is creating a Fresh Start Center at the Main Street Store, where students can launder clothes, shower, receive personal hygiene items and get connected with other needed social care services. A private grant will fund the shower, which won’t be added until next year.

Photos courtesy of Melinda Daniels: (Left) Veronica Barhite, a board member for Community Action, enjoys an ice cream sundae during the annual In-service Day at Albion Elk’s Club. (Right) CAOG director Renee Hungerford, right, and Cassie Healy, head of the Main Street Store, have an ice cream sundae during lunch break at the annual In-Service Day.

Hungerford stated, “The progress we’ve made in the last five years is incredible.” However, she sees the need for food going up and the number of homeless increasing.

Lunch for the day was catered by Zambistro and an ice cream truck was on site after lunch.

Following lunch and several games, Naloxone training was presented by Kaitlin Pettine, a public health educator with the Genesee Orleans County Health Departments.

Awards were presented, including 11 years-of-service awards for employees from five to 25 years with the agency. Eight employees received Achievement Awards for furthering their education, and nine Employee Recognition awards were given, with the top employee being Margi Davies, chosen by her peers and awarded a certificate for her strong upholding of the agency’s values. She also received an Achievement Award for making the Dean’s List and graduating from Empire State University with an associate’s degree in science, with a study of Early Childhood.

In her closing statement, Hungerford thanked everyone who made the day fun and successful. This included staff, the Elks Club for providing an affordable venue, Kaitlin Pettine for showing them how to save a life with Naloxone, Orleans Mental Health for making the Joe Roberts presentation possible, and the board of directors.