Community Action perseveres despite threat of funding cuts

Agency will step up advocacy while providing many critical local services

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford introduces Jenn Redding, RN, who spoke on Sharps Safety at Community Action’s In-Service Day last week.

ALBION – Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has provided food, clothing and necessary services to a countless number of families.

Community Action last week observed its annual In-Service Day at the Albion Elks Lodge. Theme for the day was “Doing the Work When the Work is Hard.”

“Seeing people struggle can be very discouraging,” said executive director Renee Hungerford. “We have dealt with the pandemic and the constant threat of funding cuts.”

She also shared the successes their agency had last year, in addition to the hurdles they are facing with state and federal cuts to its programs. A highlight of her speech was the need for advocacy.

“If Community Action went away, the Department of Social Services could not pick up all those in need,” she said.

Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, recognizes Peter Bartula at the annual In-Service Day for being an advocate for the agency.

The program last Friday began with breakfast and a presentation to Peter Bartula, an advocate for Community Action and keynote speaker, whose presentation was “We’re All Salespeople.”  Bartula recently ran a cornhole tournament fundraiser for Community Action, something Hungerford would like to see recurring.

In Friday’s speech, highlighting the State of the Agency, Hungerford explained the seriousness of their situation and some positive wins.

“Our organization actively advocates for federal and state funding, facing proposed cuts to program like Low Income HEAP and Community Services Block Grant, but securing some wins, such as a $40 million line item for the Weatherization Assistance Program in the New York state budget.

“Federal budget proposals include a $4 billion cut to LIHEAP and $775 million to CSBG.”

LIHEAP is targeted for elimination, citing state policies that prevent utility disconnections. CSBG is proposed for elimination due to perceived duplication and accountability concerns.

Hungerford stresses the government is proposing these cuts because they don’t realize all the good Community Action does, and says it is imperative to advocate. Advocacy activities by Hungerford and local politicians include trips to DC and Albany, testimony, meetings and letters to officials.

“The president doesn’t know what we do here,” she said.

The president’s 2027 budget does maintain Head Start funding, but Hungerford warns of inflation and rising costs.

The Community Block Grant Improvement Act reauthorizes CSBG through 2032, increasing eligibility to 200% of the poverty line and expanding permitted uses.

Hungerford said advocacy emphasizes the importance of community support and building a strong agency reputation.

Although faced with cuts, the agency reported significant achievements across health, education, housing and youth programs, demonstrating positive community outcomes, she said.

In 2025, the agency addressed social determinants of health with services to 752 households, 4,404 families and 228 individuals receiving meals, rental and utility assistance.

Head Start and Early Head Start enrolled 194 children with high access to healthcare and developmental improvements. Early Head Start served 94 children having 100% accessible healthcare and a 12% increase in dental care.

Youth development programs supported 417 students with evidence-based curricula. Transportation services provided 3,509 trips for seniors and disabled, and the Child Care Resource Center facilitated 55 referrals, 438 technical assistance sessions and expanded staff with new mental health and business specialists.

Housing initiatives installed air conditioning in 70 homes and completed 76 weatherization jobs.

Topping off the year’s successes was the launching of the Fresh Start Care Center, a room at the Main Street Corner Thrift, Gifts and More store which houses a laundry, shower and personal care items for homeless or other students who have no access to them at home.

The prom giveaway program was expanded to eight counties and 92 prom dresses were distributed.

Historically, 10% of HEAP funding was allocated to WAP, but this year the Hochel administration plans to redirect these funds, resulting in a 69% reduction for WAP. Advocacy efforts led to a $40 million line-item for WAP in the state budget, partially offsetting the loss.

Hungerford said sustained advocacy has become a significant part of agency work, diverting resources from direct service delivery, although yielding some positive outcomes.

In addition to the above accomplishments, Community Action’s Emergency Services and Case Management distributed 752 holiday meal kits, provided 379 individuals with clothing, distributed food to 4,404 families, 5,991 prepared meals to 338 people at the Eastern Orleans Community Center. In addition, 34 individuals received help to avoid eviction and 27 individuals received support to prevent utility shutoff.

Youth and adolescent support was offered through Project Salus, in which students received evidence-based curriculum on healthy decision making and advocacy skills.

The Child Care Resource Center received 55 referrals for child care and added a business specialist and infant early childhood mental health consultant to enhance provider support.

In addition to providing thousands of individuals with needed services, Community Action contracted for Medicaid 1115 Waiver Services and celebrated the agency’s 60th anniversary.

All this is in addition to major improvements and growth at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.

“It has been completely redone,” Hungerford said. “It is fabulous.”

The center is open from 9:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and serves lunch daily. A clothing closet, emergency food pantry, emergency clothing pantry, public access computers with internet, food distribution site and senior activities are some of features offered there.

Other highlights of the in-service were a ROMA refresher by Cassie Healy, head of the Main Street store; a talk on Sharps Safety by registered nurse Jenn Radigan; introduction of directors and board members; lunch and an afternoon of fun activities.

In regard to Hungerford’s urgency for advocacy, she said, “Before I worked here, I had no idea what Community Action did. We think food distribution and emergency services. But we do so much more. We have so many amazing programs that help our community. We cannot lobby. But we can advocate. Our message needs to go to the top.”