Cincinnati
CAA
Annual Report Hamilton County
CAA
Charting our way forward
www.cincy-caa.org
Intro
The Community Action Agency helps improve lives from cradle to career.
We find ourselves in uncharted territory with the sweeping impact of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our lives and livelihood. The disruption and uncertainty have challenged us and changed us, to be sure. Education and economic security have never been more crucial. At the same time, CAA is doing everything possible to make sure we are providing families with the tools they need to succeed in health, healing and equity. Whether it’s rolling out mobile and pop-up operations, adapting virtual and distance learning, advancing survival skills and self-care resources, or tapping technology solutions as never before, we are finding our way forward with responsiveness and
resilience. This past year has underscored commitment to our mission and the vital service we provide to strengthen lifeways and create a bridge to opportunity in our community: Education – Employment – Economic Security •Head Start/Early Head Start and School Readiness •Health and Wellness Services •Parent and Family Support Services and Family Engagement •Workforce Initiatives and Entrepreneur Training •Tax Preparation •Emergency Assistance and Food Pantry Staples
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Thanks
Our People
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CAA’s Executive Leadership
Our Funders
Our Donors
Mark B. Lawson President/CEO
City of Cincinnati
CAA Board Members
Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services
Medical Center
Gwendolyn Larkin-Cosby Senior Executive Assistant to President/ CEO & Board Administrator Rachel Luckey VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Verline Dotson VP Early Childhood Education Mason Gray VP Community Services
Nikki J. Williams Chief of Staff/VP Community Relations
Joan Proffitt Chief Financial and Information Officer Josh Fletcher VP Facilities and Operations Willie Hill, III GCMI Executive Director
The Health Collaborative Neediest Kids of All
Ohio Department of Education Ohio Development Services Agency Talbert House
U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dinsmore & Shohl Fifth Third Bank
First Financial Bank
Flawless Building Services
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Mercy Health
Ohio General Convention Ohio Valley Construction
U.S. Department of Labor
Pepper Family Fund
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
PNC Bank
State Farm Insurance
4 Our In-House Partners WinMed Health Center Bond Hill branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Mission
Techsoft Systems UC Health
CAA uses a broad range of public and private resources to give low- and moderate-income individuals the opportunity to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and their communities. The Community Action Agency helps improve lives from cradle to career.
About
Words from the President/CEO and Board Chair Being a voice for change is not just what we do, it is who we are. For more than 50 years, your Community Action Agency has worked to be an advocate for families who are working toward success despite the barriers they encounter. CAA offers growth, reflection, peace, and balance for families who are seeking a better future.
Mark B. Lawson, Esq. President/CEO As you read this year’s Annual Report, you will see the story of a young mother, Cessalea Moore, and her five children. Her story is just one example of how CAA takes a multifaceted approach in helping the entire family succeed. Ms. Moore received utility assistance through our HEAP program, completed job-readiness training through our Workforce Development, and earned her State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) certification with the support of our Supporting Transitions to Employment for Parents (STEPS) program. She has also completed our Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative (GCMI) Ice House course, and she is now enrolled in GCMI’s Business I course to learn how to start her own business. Her two younger children are enrolled in our Head Start program at the Life Learning Center. Ms. Moore is now employed by UC Medical Center. CAA is surrounding this family with support and providing them with the tools they need to build a successful future. CAA’s collaborations with other agencies in Greater Cincinnati make us stronger and increase our capacity to have a positive impact on individuals, families, and our community. This year, our housing assistance program helped 90 families avoid
eviction, but we know there are many more families needing assistance. Our partnership with the Legal Aid Society allows us to provide legal representation and financial resources to help families stay in their homes. Through our partnership with the Freestore Foodbank and Tryed Stone New Beginnings Church, our mobile food pantry has provided 2,775 pounds of food to 601 households. Our collaboration with Talbert House has allowed us to serve 597 individuals through the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program(CCMEP), helping them move toward their goal of self-sufficiency.
Chandra Matthews-Smith Board Chair Our Head Start and Early Head Start programs continue to provide quality early childhood education services to pregnant women and children from birth to age five. This year, 2,384 children have gone through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, giving them a strong start for a successful future. At CAA, we are working hard for change that will benefit our partners, stakeholders, community and, most of all, the people we serve. We know there is still much work to be done, and we are committed to making a difference and being a voice for change. We look forward to the task before us, with gratitude for the continued support from our donors, volunteers, staff, and Board.
Officers
Client Sector
Board Board Board Board
Josh Arnold—Talbert House Courthney Calvin—Low Income Representative Danielle Ross—Policy Council Representative Michael Scruggs—Light of the World Ministries Tyran Stallings—Early Childhood Consultant
Chair—Chandra Mathews-Smith Vice Chair—Diana J. Paternoster Treasurer—Benjamin C. Houck, CPA Secretary—Moira Weir
Board of Directors
CAA’s Board of Directors is comprised of individuals who represent three main sectors of our community: client sector, public officials and the private sector. Seated: Tyran Stallings, Chandra Mathews-Smith, Mark Lawson, Bernadette Watson Standing: Josh Arnold, Ryan Dupree, Courtney Calvin, Diana Paternoster, Damon Frost and David Mann. Not pictured: Danielle Ross, Pastor Michael Scruggs, Gwen McFarlin, Moira Weir, Russell Mack, Scott Taylor, Benjamin Houck
Public Sector
Private Sector
Ryan DuPree—Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship David Mann—City of Cincinnati Council Trustee Chandra Mathews-Smith—Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services Gwen McFarlin—Springfield Township Bernadette Watson —Mayoral appointee Moira Weir—Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services
Damon Frost—The Procter & Gamble Company Benjamin C. Houck, CPA—PricewaterhouseCoopers Russell Mack—Matthew United Church of Christ Diana Paternoster—GE Global Operations (Retired) Scott Taylor—Fifth Third Bank Gwendolyn Larkin-Cosby—Senior Executive Assistant to President/CEO & Board Administrator