Community Action Agency shares update for on-going projects
By Angela Rogalski
The Bolivar Bullet
The Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Inc. is making acknowledgments, celebrating accomplishments, and moving forward in providing quality services for those in need. Elnora Littleton, Executive Director, said, “The month of October has been a busy yet exciting month for our agency.”
The agency’s Rapid Re-Housing program is expanding under a new grant to include the Emergency Solutions Cares Grant (ESG-CV2) program. This extension is designed to help families and individuals at risk for homelessness; those who are homeless; and those who need help with overdue rent payments. These services will be available to residents of Bolivar, Sunflower, Coahoma, Leflore, and Washington counties. Littleton said, “Homelessness is a problem everywhere, and we want to do whatever we can to support those who are dealing with it. This new program will allow us to meet individuals and families where they are to help them become self-sufficient.”
For more details about this program, call Florida McKay, Rapid Re-Housing Director, (662) 846-1491 ext. 165.
The Head Start program started this program year with one of its centers inoperable due to the catastrophic flooding earlier this year. The students for the Billy Joe McCain (BJM) Center located in Mound Bayou are currently commuting to the Cleveland Center #1 to ensure they are able to actively participate in their learning experiences face-to-face. Soon, that is about to change, as construction work has begun at the BJM Center to restore it.
“All of our staff, parents, children, and community members have been so cooperative and graceful throughout this process, and we are so appreciative of that,” said Littleton.
The Head Start centers have been engaging in educational and fun activities this month to recognize Head Start Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Down Syndrome Awareness Month. There have been balloon releases, center parades, walks, and fun dress codes. There have also been visits from Sparky the fire dog, McGruff the crime dog, and show chickens, a goat, and a miniature pony from the Christian Goat Farm.
“We want our children to have the best experiences possible while they are in our care, and we want our communities to know that Head Start works,” said Littleton.
The agency is also hosting a Trunk-or-Treat activity for all of the children in Bolivar County. It will be in the central office’s parking lot on Thursday, October 28 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
For more information on the BCCAA, visit https://bccaainc.org or call (662) 846-1491.