This week, County Commissioners from both Clearfield and Jefferson Counties signed the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation for their respective counties, reaffirming their commitment to domestic violence relief.

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PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa -Misty S. Fleming of Brookville is the new Chief Executive Officer of Community Action, Inc. (CAI) serving Clarion and Jefferson Counties, effective October 1, 2024. Following an extensive search assisted by the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, the CAI Board appointed Fleming, who has served as CAI Development/Compliance Director since August 2023. The new CEO also served as System Director Post-Acute Quality and Safety for Penn Highlands Healthcare in DuBois from May 2021 to August 2023. A licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Pennsylvania, Fleming served as Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor’s Administrator in Brookville from July 2014 to May 2021. "Until a year ago, my entire career had been in healthcare," Fleming said. "I was not sure when I was offered the Development/Compliance Director position at Community Action, Inc. that it would be a good fit. However, after a couple of weeks, I found that Community Action, Inc.'s mission to support our communities and enhance the quality of life for our families genuinely aligned with my values. I was where I was meant to be." The Board asked retired Executive Director, Robert Cardamone, to return to the leadership of the non-profit organization following the sudden death of former Executive Director Sue Fusco in July 2023. "I have worked closely with Bob over the past year to better understand the agency's operations and processes," continued Fleming. 'I appreciate Bob's foresight in guiding me through the agency's essential workings and teaching me about its mission and values. His support was instrumental in helping me advance to the CEO position. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from him. I am eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of the organization and look forward to advancing its mission through my efforts." Community Action's mission is to partner with community members to improve low-income situations by assisting families with activities to overcome barriers, improve economic status, and enhance their quality of life. "Our role is to be a catalyst and advocate for change," Cardamone said. "We are proud of what we have accomplished this year and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I am convinced that having the right staff, building relationships, and partnering is the key to achieving our goals and remaining relevant.

Reaching adulthood does not mean learning stops. Knowing there are always skills adults can brush up on, Community Action, Inc. (CAI) offers adult education classes in DuBois and several sites in Jefferson County. The classes help people with job skills, basic learning skills, GED preparations, and even with enrolling in postsecondary education. Students do not need to be residents of Jefferson County. Crystal White, CAI Adult Education Supervisor, Amber Siar and Molly Dressler, Adult Education Instructors, shared details on CAI’s adult education offerings. “We provide basic skills instruction for students who want to obtain a high school equivalency diploma or for students who have a diploma but want to brush up on basic skills to obtain a job, advance in a job, or attend postsecondary education or training,” stated White. “We are more than just a ‘GED program.’” What else does CAI’s adult education program offer? White continued, “Other services provided include career services such as assessment of skill levels and career interests; referrals to and coordination of support services and programs to overcome barriers to education and employment; and information on postsecondary education, training, and workforce services.” “If a high school diploma is needed, preparation for the GED exam is done with the help of the adult education instructor. Online options are available.” Explained White. She noted through the GED program, students earn a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma – also known as the high school equivalency diploma. The adult education staff works with school districts to encourage students to continue high school classes and graduate. For students who decided to leave high school, enrolling in adult education programs will help them to stay on course to completing their schooling and finding meaningful employment. Once people have their diploma, some may find they need help determining what to do next. “We help students recognize the diploma is a steppingstone, not the end goal,” Siar stated. “In fact, the adult education staff have many tools to help students on their path to gainful employment such as preparation for job training, postsecondary education or training, as well as specific employer requirements.” “Local businesses sometimes require certain grade levels to apply for job openings,” Dressler added. “Our programs assist with getting participants to those necessary levels for job qualification.” For people with limited finances, CAI offers an achievable way to polish skills, complete a High School Equivalency Diploma or determine and prepare for post-secondary. “These programs are free of charge to anyone 16 and older, not currently enrolled in a secondary school program,” Siar stated. “The purpose of the program is to help individuals meet their education and employment goals, regardless of your age.” Having access to such programs can mean a world of difference for local jobseekers. “One of the greatest barriers to employment is lack of a high school diploma,” Dressler explained. “Of the 18-24 year olds in Jefferson County, 18.3 percent lack a high school diploma and 11 percent of those 25 and older lack a high school diploma.” Siar added, “In addition, over 13 percent of adults in the area are considered basic skills deficient. Basic skills instruction offered by the adult education program, combined with services available through other community partners, assist adults in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency.” With services offered across the county, people can find classes at the location nearest to them. Dressler continued, “Day and evening classes are held in DuBois, Brookville, Reynoldsville, and Punxsutawney. Education and employment are the common goals of all the classes.” “We are also looking for volunteer tutors and classroom aides,” White added. “These volunteers help one-on-one either during class or at another scheduled time. All volunteers receive ongoing training, materials, and guidance from adult education staff.” Sign up for Community Action, Inc. adult education classes by calling Crystal at 814-938-3302 ext. 204 or 1-800-648-3381 or by emailing: [email protected]

Community Action, Inc. staff recently attended an Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) sponsored 40-hour Leadership Certification Training course for individuals working in or aspiring for leadership/management roles in their career fields. Participants attended eight course covering leadership theories, financial literacy, operational efficiency, effective teambuilding, supervision, conflict resolution, diversity and biases, strategic communications, and for those in the healthcare field, healthcare funding. Upon completion of the training, participants received certificates for their training. Bob Cardamone, Community Action, Inc. Executive Director said, “Community Action encourages staff professional development and is an advocate for life-long learning.” All supervisors were offered the opportunity to attend. Bob acknowledged Workforce Solutions of North Central PA helped fund the training cost and he encourages all businesses to become a Workforce Solutions partner.

After health problems in 2021 lead to using a wheelchair for daily activities, Peter Johnson was told he might regain the ability to walk with ongoing physical therapy sessions. Peter’s friends and family were willing to help him get to therapy; however, maintaining a regular schedule quickly became an issue for his volunteer drivers. Peter was already enrolled in Community Action, Inc.’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) so his friends and family could be reimbursed mileage, so Peter contacted MATP to see if he qualified for other transportation services. MATP staff at Community Action, Inc. confirmed Peter’s authorization for medical transportation and arranged transportation twice a week for his physical therapy. With no cost for transportation and a steady reliable transport means, Peter began regular weekly physical therapy sessions, and after much hard work and ongoing support from his family, friends, and therapy staff, Peter grew stronger and in July 2024 is now walking with a cane and no longer needs a wheelchair. The MATP services enabled Peter to control and coordinate his physical therapy appointments to meet his needs and his schedule. Peter didn’t have to worry about finding transportation, scheduling, payment, or having to miss an appointment because a volunteer had a conflict and could not transport him. All Peter had to worry about was scheduling the therapy appointments and giving the schedule to MATP staff. They handled the rest. Today, Peter is walking and able to live more independently.

Thanks to a generous donation from Seneca Resources, Community Action, Inc.’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program received 15 laptop computers with wireless keyboards and mouses. Seneca Resources’ donation will help volunteers provide free 2024 tax return preparations next spring at five VITA locations in Clarion and Jefferson Counties. The IRS's VITA program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals generally making less than $60,000 per year, including individuals with disabilities or who speak limited English. In the spring of 2024, VITA volunteers completed 2,009 tax returns for 2023 resulting in over $1.7 million dollars in refunds to residents of Clarion and Jefferson Counties. Sponsored by Community Action, Inc. and in collaboration with the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), volunteers prepare federal, state, and local income tax returns; along with property tax and rent rebate applications. Tax returns are filed electronically with the taxpayer’s approval. Tax preparation volunteers receive free IRS tax preparation and privacy / confidentiality training for all taxpayer information and must pass testing requirements which meet or exceed IRS standards. In addition, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA site prior to filing. “Community Action, Inc. appreciates Seneca Resources’ donation. The laptops will help our VITA volunteers immensely with training and tax return preparations in Clarion and Jefferson Counties,” stated Cheryl Shellhammer, AmeriCorps RSVP / VITA Director. VITA has operated for over 50 years and is staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. Deb Morris, Seneca Resources representative stated, “Seneca Resources saw an opportunity to donate quality used laptops to a local organization who could use them to benefit not only individual families but also the local communities and economy. We are proud to assist Community Action, Inc.’s VITA program while maintaining our commitment to the practical use and management of all resources.” If you are interested in volunteering with the VITA program, please contact Ms. Shellhammer at [email protected] or (814) 226-4785, ext. 104. You may also visit Community Action, Inc.’s website at jccap.org

Community Action, Inc. continues to receive FoodStock donations to assist residents in Clarion County. Please read the letter from the Clarion County Community Bank FoodStock Chairperson, Jennifer Keth, about the history of FoodStock. Thank you to everyone who has supported this great cause!

A great day in the sun was had by nearly 250 participants at the Family Celebration Day at the Union COG Pool Park in Sligo, PA on June 18. The free event sponsored by Clarion County Family Net, allowed children and parents to play various games, have lunch, and gather information from approximately 35 community agencies before a free afternoon of swimming began. One participating organization was Community Action, Inc. (CAI) who handed out prizes to children enjoying ring toss games while sharing information on volunteer opportunities, homeless services, home energy efficiency options, food pantry resources, and many other services offered by Community Action, Inc. CAI employee, Misty Fleming, advised “It was wonderful watching the children have fun at the various activities setup throughout the park and to talk to the parents / adults about resources they may not have known were available.” “It was also an opportunity to share resources with the other agencies participating and to learn more about the community, she added.”

For the fourth consecutive year, the Clarion County Penn State Master Gardeners donated vegetable plants to Community Action, Inc. last week for distribution to consumers at the Clarion Food Pantry. The vegetable plants were grown by the master gardeners at their horticultural resource center, AKA: greenhouse and demonstration garden, located at the Clarion County Park. The regional coordinator from Penn State Extension provided the master gardeners with seeds, soil, jiffy pots, hoses, and a wheelbarrow. The gardeners supplied the loving care to grow the plants, which included a variety of tomatoes, cabbage, pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and various herbs. The Master Gardeners also planted an extended demonstration garden with tomatoes, peppers, onions, beets, beans, and carrots, as well as flowering plants like nasturtiums, sunflowers, and marigolds. When individuals come to the Community Action, Inc. Food Pantry, they will be offered plants. In addition to growing their own food, families can get children involved watering the garden, picking the veggies, and looking for worms and bugs. A small hobby for the whole family with encouraging results and fresh produce to eat. Penn State Master Gardener trainees are required to participate in a minimum of 40 hours classroom training, score 80 percent on the midterm and final exam, and fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service. Those interested in learning more about the Master Gardener Program may contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension office at (814) 223-9028 or the Cooperative Extension office in your county.

Thank you to the Clarion Post Office and their 32nd Annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive held last week across northwestern PA for donating to our Clarion County Food Pantry, and thank you to our RSVP volunteers for helping to sort the donation!

We are excited to announce our partnership with the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce and the Punxsutawney Area School District in an effort to empower our students with Career-Ready Programs, by helping to provide work-based learning with the support of our local businesses and partnerships with local agencies. In the coming weeks we will be reaching out to local businesses with a survey to gauge interest in participating in career readiness programs. If you are a local community organization and would like to partner with us on this mission, please send an email to [email protected] or call 814-938-7700, ext. 2.

The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) has reopened for homeowners struggling as a result of pandemic-related financial hardships. Eligible homeowners may receive relief for mortgage and housing-related expenses to address delinquency and avoid default, foreclosure or displacement from their homes. Interested PA homeowners may visit www.pahaf.org for more information, or call 888-987-2423 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click the image above to find out if you are eligible.

Punxsutawney Area Hospital is currently in the process of conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The assessment includes collecting information from the community regarding what they feel are the health needs of the community, in addition to looking at other secondary data that is available. All of the data collected during the process will be shared with a steering committee, who will then determine priority areas to focus on over the next three years with all the information that is gathered.

The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) pairs volunteers aged 55 and older with organizations seeking to strengthen and make changes in their communities. You volunteer where, when and how often you want. You can share life-long experiences and skills, attend recognition events, and receive free excess automobile, accident, and personal liability insurance. Community Action, Inc. sponsors the RSVP program in Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties. Call 814-226-4785 ext. 104 to find volunteer opportunities in your area or email [email protected].

Community Action, Inc. raised $7,600 through First Commonwealth Bank’s “Share the Warmth Campaign” held during the month of November 2023. Robert A. Cardamone, Executive Director, commented, "Community Action, Inc. truly appreciates the community’s donations and First Commonwealth Bank’s matching funds. These funds will be used to help families make the transition to financial self-reliance which is a ‘win-win’ for our consumers and our communities.” Cardamone stated, “First Commonwealth Bank not only speaks about community partnerships but provides resources and invests in the communities they serve.” Dawn Martin, First Commonwealth Bank Vice President and Punxsutawney Branch Manager stated, “We are proud to partner with Community Action, Inc. and to financially support their vision and activities to solve social and economic problems. First Commonwealth Bank is about community partnerships and giving our time and resources in the communities where we live, work and bank.” For more information regarding Community Action, Inc., please visit www.jccap.org; call (814) 938-3302; or visit Facebook.com/JeffersonClarionCAP

CLARION, Pa. (EYT) - Fred Rogers once offered some famous advice “to look for the helpers”. Mr. Rogers could have found plenty of helpers at the recent 2023 volunteer celebration held by AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP and Community Action Inc. “AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is the largest senior volunteer program in the nation,” said Cheryl Shellhammer, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Director. Since 1971 RSVP has dedicated itself to solving problems in our local communities and is an effective means to help our neighbors.” A total of 276 RSVP AmeriCorps volunteers serving Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties donated 23,056 volunteer hours in 2023. “RSVP Volunteers monitors fields and streams; knit, sew, and crochet for those in need; help in food pantries and deliver home-delivered meals to alleviate food insecurities; and perform a variety of services at hospitals and other non-profits,” Shellhammer said. “Volunteers also make possible the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), and in 2023, prepared 1642 federal tax return. Finally, this year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the New Bethlehem Valley Thrift Shop and their 50 volunteers.” “On behalf of Community Action, Inc., the Corporation for National and Community Service; the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Advisory Council; and the Commissioners of Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties, thank you for your caring and your service; you have and continue to make a difference in our communities.”