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.”

With 2023 tax season coming up, individuals who earn $60,000 or less may qualify for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Contact 814-226-4785 ext. 107 to make an appointment. Detailed Information listed above.

Photo and Caption Courtesy of Patti Slaughter and Courier Express/Jeffersonian Democrat, read more at the link below.

The Clarion County Penn State Master Gardeners donated more than 300 vegetable plants to Community Action, Inc. last week for distribution to clients at the Clarion Food Pantry. The vegetables 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 and vegetables. For the third consecutive year, fresh vegetables are available at the Clarion Food Pantry located at 30A South Sheridan Road at the Community Action, Inc. office. Some of the plants donated were 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. Vegetables from the garden will be donated to the Community Action Food pantry regularly as the vegetables are harvested, the same as last year. When individuals come to the food pantry, they will be offered plants. Children of clients can also get involved, watering the garden, picking the veggies, looking for tomatoes, and looking for little worms and bugs. 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. Individuals in Clarion County in need of assistance with food may contact Community Action, Inc. at (814) 226-4785 or via [email protected].

“CNB Bank employees at the Clearfield Main Office recently participated in a donation drive to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Each month, the Bank’s Employee Resources team has a goal to support a local organization and contribute to a community project. The team recognized the need to support the homeless population in the area, considering the limited resources currently available to them. Donations of coats, clothing, and blankets were given to a local mission in Harrisburg and a church's homeless mission closet, the Closet of Hope,” explained Taylor Butler, CNB Employee Resources Assistant. Ms. Butler went on to explain, “Due to the increasing need, the team also chose to collect items for local homeless projects and shelters during April 2023. After donating to a local men's shelter, the team looked for an organization to focus on providing aid for both women and children in Clearfield County; Community Action's Crossroads Project, which assists families with emergency shelter and housing assistance through social service resources, was selected as a beneficiary.” The Crossroads Director, Suella Himes, and Coordinator, Becky Misko, were very happy to provide the team with a list of items needed by their domestic violence shelter and the CNB Bank team got started collecting laundry and household cleaning products, hygiene items, non-perishable food, and flashlights. “Donations and projects such as CNB Bank’s enable Crossroads to provide victims of domestic violence a safe place to stay and basic daily necessities while they establish plans for a safer future,” noted Ms. Misko. “Donations also provide encouragement to victims that someone cares and wants them to have a brighter day and future,” added Ms. Himes. The Crossroads Project enables individuals and families affected by domestic violence up to 30-days emergency shelter (with meals) while Crossroads staff provide free and confidential services including: safety planning; information and referral; and legal advocacy. Crossroads also provides a 24-hour domestic violence prevention hotline and support group activities. “The CNB Bank team believes that helping individuals can have a positive impact on their lives, and perhaps even the world,” added Ms. Butler. Andrew Gifford once said, "You can't change the world. You can change a person's world. The more people you help, the more worlds you've changed.” For more information on CNB Bank community involvement, visit your local branch. Those seeking help or more information on domestic violence may contact the Crossroads Project at 1-800-598-3998 or [email protected].