A Commitment to Helping People, Changing Lives
The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity here at CVCAA. As the summer months waned, we said goodbye to Mark Bethune, who had been Executive Director for the agency for 12 years. Stepping into the role, I immediately felt like there were big shoes to fill, and big needs to go after.
Entering the late fall and winter, we know what is coming - colder weather and higher utility costs. For a lot of our community an extended swing of low temperatures creates a great strain on their household budget and the threat of having a missed utility payment and a disconnect. Or, with it being the cold and flu season, getting sick means missing work, which can mean missed rent payments and the threat of eviction. And for some in our community who are homeless, it’s the threat of survival. CVCAA is committed to finding ways to assist in all these situations.
CVCAA has been in San Angelo since 1966, working with the at-risk population of our 11 counties, providing assistance with the situations described above. In 2022 and going into 2023, the need is still there unfortunately. This year, we’ve helped over 7,000 individuals with our programs funded by the state and federal governments and local foundations and agencies. Still the need persists. CVCAA is committed to continuing assistance in the future.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working to make our communities aware of the most at-risk among them. From November 12-20, we will be participating in the national Hunger and Homelessness Awareness campaign (https://hhweek.org/). Even though a lot of us are worried about higher bills, some of our neighbors are worried about finding food and shelter. We’ve been partnering with some great area agencies to find a way to get individuals out of the cold. CVCAA is committed to finding a solution for our homeless neighbors.
CVCAA is part of a larger nationwide community action network that exists to help low-income individuals and families in need. We believe in the Promise of Community Action: Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. We tend to sum it up with this – Helping People, Changing Lives. CVCAA continues to commit to this.
One of my favorite hymns is For Everyone Born by Shirley Erena Murray. Its first verse speaks to what we’re doing at CVCAA: For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread; a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead.
I hope this coming month finds you peace and prosperity. We’ll be working to make sure more of our communities find that as well.
For Everyone Born,
Mike
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