ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS STORIES

 

Recent Achievements:

·         2004

o        Service Integration Grant recipient (one of seven grants in the state; 19 competitors state-wide)

·         2005

o        Outstanding Leadership Award granted to Pettis County Circles of Support Leadership team

o        Entrepreneurial Survey and Guidebook (co-written by MVCAA and the Community Policy Analysis Center) adopted for national use by the Federal Reserve Bank

·         2006

o        Recognized by Move the Mountain Leadership Center (MTM) as a leader in initiating the Circles of Support initiative (of the 46 communities in 12 states MTM is working with)

o        Selected as one of five Agencies across five states to participate as a mentor in the Community Action Capital Development Enterprise (CACDE) Peer-to-Peer Homeownership Program

o        Accepted to NeighborWorks Training

o        Currently have 14 staff members who are Certified Community Action Professionals (CCAP)

 

Success Stories:

Chariton County: Doug, who has four daughters, ages 6 to 12, came to Missouri Valley Community Action Agency and enrolled in the “Missourians Building Assets” program. This is a matched savings and educational program that allowed Doug to save money and learn about starting his own agriculture based business. The Missourians Building Assets program connects potential business owners—like Doug—with the information and resources they need to bring their dreams to life.

 

Carroll County: Sandy, who has three sons, has a success story that spans almost 20 years. Sandy came to Missouri Valley Community Action Agency in 1989, a poor 17 year old looking for employment and training assistance. Staff placed her in a summer youth program working with Head Start children in Carrollton. Sandy was then hired as a temporary Teacher Assistant, and later promoted to agency Bus Driver. Sandy enrolled her children in Head Start, and later earned a Child Development Associate credential and was hired as a Head Start Teacher. Sandy then pushed further, first earning her Associates Degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood, and then winning the Young Educators Award from State Fair Community College.

 

Ray County: Back in 2001 Sara enrolled in Missouri Valley Community Action Agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs for her two children, who she saw grow and develop. Sara was working as a clerk at the time, but she had not graduated from high school, and she was uncertain about her future. Sara opened up to staff, talking to them every day about her life and plans. Over time she and the teachers formed very strong relationships. Head Start staff and Sara’s family all encouraged Sara to get her GED, which she did, and then encouraged her to pursue further education. Sara decided she wanted more than a job as a clerk; she wanted a career. So, in 2003 she earned her LPN degree. Recently, she told staff that in August, 2006 she starts nursing school to get her RN degree. Sara said, “I truly could not have done it without the support of the Head Start staff.”

 

Lafayette County: When Amy first came to Missouri Valley Community Action Agency’s Career Services staff in 2005, she was receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and was being penalized by the state for not complying with her work requirement. MVCAA staff spent hours working with Amy, and discovered a major barrier to success: Amy had serious, untreated emotional difficulties. After getting ongoing staff support Amy said, “I’m ready to try treatment now, because of your help.” Sensing that Amy was ready to make a commitment, staff then offered her the opportunity to work in a subsidized position as an assistant in a Career Center, so long as she stayed in treatment. Amy agreed, and, because she wanted to repay the trust that was placed in her, did an excellent job. In turn, the staff continued to assist Amy, by working on her resume, and using program funds to buy her interview clothes. Amy applied for and got a clerical job at a local health facility, where she stayed employed for about a year. Her emotional problems a thing of the past, and with newfound confidence, and funded by Pell grants, Amy decided to enroll in a four year college program for criminal investigation. Amy is now in her first year of college. She is no longer eligible to receive TANF, which is a good thing, and still comes in to the Career Center to talk to staff about how well she is doing.

 

Johnson County: In 2003 Tim was a young college graduate with no work history, and very limited financial resources, but a strong interest in getting a job, when he came to Missouri Valley Community Action Agency’s Career Services staff. Tim had studied Film and Broadcasting in college, and was hoping for an entry level job that somehow related to that field. Staff assisted him in obtaining a job in a large video store, and kept an ongoing relationship with Tim to make sure he succeeded. MVCAA staff, along with Tim’s mother, coached Tim on how to keep his job and move ahead. In 2004 Tim was promoted to Assistant Video Manager, and in 2005 Tim was again promoted—to Video Manager. Tim discovered that hard work and a positive support system really help. Tim recently informed MVCAA staff that he is now working on a Masters Degree in Education, with the goal of teaching Film and Broadcasting at the high school or college level. In three years time, Tim had radically transformed his life, from living in poverty to being well on his way to success.

 

Pettis County: Coming Soon!

 

Saline County: Coming Soon!