"Work Camps" to Provide Free Repairs in Lansdowne, Yeadon and Darby
The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) is hosting two Work Camps during the weeks of July 27th - July 31st and August 3rd - August 7th. The Work Camps will provide free repairs for the homes of senior citizens, disabled individuals and economically disadvantaged residents in the Boroughs of Darby, Lansdowne and Yeadon.
During the first week, local volunteers are needed to welcome and assist the 400 teenage volunteers from around the U.S. Throughout the week the local volunteers will deliver snacks to the workers at the worksites.
During week two, the renovation work will be done by local volunteers. CAADC is seeking both experienced and non-experienced workers. The work will include: interior/exterior painting, wheelchair ramp repair/construction, porch repairs/construction, step repair, weatherization, and yard work/landscaping. There are two shifts available each day of the week, 8AM-12PM and 12PM-4PM. All construction work will be supervised and all materials will be provided.
If you would like to volunteer, please call Deborah Lamborn at 610-891-6326 to sign up.
Boscov's "Friends Helping Friends" Day - October 6th
On Tuesday October 6th CAA will participate in Boscov’s “Friends Helping Friends” day at the Granite Run Mall. You can buy a $5 ticket (all of it benefits CAA) to get up to 25% off your purchases that day. Contact Daniel Nesbitt at (610) 891-3997 for a ticket.
Life Center Programs
6:30 - 8:30 PM Meal Program each night for residents and the community.
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Shower Program Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for individuals that are homeless.
Program Can Helping During Tough Financial Times - June 29, 2009
Delaware County - There are many families in Delaware County that cannot afford to sufficiently provide a healthy and nutritious diet for their children. There are also many seniors that cannot make ends meet anymore during these difficult financial times. They often do not realize, especially families that are working, that they may be eligible for Food Stamps, also now known as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) continues to help these families through the Food Stamp Participation Project. This year alone CAADC has already helped over 300 families register for assistance.
The Project is an outreach program to assist low-income individuals and families in understanding and applying for participation in the Food Stamp Program. Eligible applicants do not even need to go into the Welfare Office to apply but can do it through CAADC’s program. Many people who would be eligible for the Food Stamp Program do not apply because they believe that that have to be on Welfare to be receiving Food Stamps or because they do not want to use paper Food Stamps at a grocery store. However, participants do not have to be receiving Welfare benefits to be eligible. In addition, participants now use a card similar to a bank ATM card instead of paper stamps.
Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of CAADC, stated, “Many families pay so much towards rent, utility costs and gas that they can’t afford a healthy and plentiful diet. Food Stamps can help them reach this vital goal for themselves and their children.”
For a confidential screening to find out if you qualify please call Marilyn Sileo at
610-874-8451, ext. 1015. Ms. Sileo is also available to speak to community groups about the program.
Matching Scholarship Opportunity for Local Students - June 12, 2009
The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC), in partnership with the United Way of Southeast Pennsylvania’s Wachovia Scholarship Program, has a unique opportunity available to qualified students in Delaware County. This initiative is an Individual Development Account (IDA) program that is designed to help economically disadvantaged individuals acquire assets by helping them to establish a pattern of regular saving, participate in financial literacy training and providing an incentive for saving in the form of match money. Individuals can save up to $1,000 for post-secondary education expenses and receive a match on their savings at a rate of 3:1 (up to $3,000). The saving period is 6 months with a minimum savings requirement of $500 and a maximum of $1,000.
CAADC, however, has only been granted ten (10) slots so a competitive process has been established for these limited opportunities. Applicants must complete an application form, write an essay about themselves and future plans, provide income eligibility documentation and proof of identification. Interested applicants should contact Terrance Capers at (610) 891-5101 or tcapers@caadc.org for a copy of the application and details about required information. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2009. Application received by the deadline will be reviewed by a Selection Committee and all prospective participants will be informed of the committee’s decision.
Philanthropy Challenge Offered to Help Those in Need in DelCo
RADNOR -- The Delaware County Community Foundation (DCCF) today announced a unique challenge that could triple the amount of money available to area residents facing a temporary run of bad luck.
DCCF has been offered a challenge grant of $100,000 from The Sunshine Lady Foundation to help Delaware County families facing hardships. However, these funds will be available only if DCCF can raise another $100,000 in matching gifts from the community by Dec. 31, 2009, said Peg Hendricks, DCCF Executive Director.
The current challenge follows a $100,000 grant from The Sunshine Lady Foundation to DCCF in 2008 for a pilot program called The Delco Sunshine Fund, through which 25 emergency grants of up to $7,500 have already been provided to Delaware County residents whose lives have been turned upside down through serious financial, domestic, health, or employment problems.
“We are greatly indebted to The Sunshine Lady Foundation for entrusting the pilot program – the only one of its kind to date – and the current challenge to us,” said Hendricks. “Through their generosity, we have the potential to triple the money available to help local residents to $300,000. We are thrilled to have our foundation chosen to partner with one of the most prominent philanthropic families in the world.”
The Sunshine Lady Foundation is a national philanthropy founded by Doris Buffett, sister of financier Warren Buffett and long-time advocate for battered women, children, the working poor and families in crisis. The 2008 grant chose DCCF as the pilot site to determine whether a community foundation collaboration with social service agencies to administer local humanitarian grants is a model which could be replicated nationally.
DCCF selected the Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) to identify families, many of whom are typically not eligible for government-funded relief programs, for Delco Sunshine Fund grants.
“Delaware County, like the rest of the country, is facing a financial crisis on many levels. With home foreclosures, companies downsizing and the price of fuel remaining unpredictable, many families are feeling the strain,” said Edward T. Coleman, CAADC Chief Executive Officer. “We are asking businesses and individuals of Delaware County to open their hearts and support this most worthy cause. Families that are often overlooked will finally have a resource to help them get through their short-term crises,” said Coleman.
“To date, we’ve been able to help 25 families meet one-time emergency medical, housing, utility and other needs,” said Coleman. “But for this program to continue, we need matching funds from local supporters.”
“We have been impressed by the Community Action Agency’s help in identifying candidates for the first 25 grants. These individuals’ stories are truly heartbreaking and the way their lives have changed as a result of these emergency grants is truly inspiring. We are excited about continuing our partnership with CAADC through the challenge grant – if the community can support it with matching contributions,” Hendricks said.
“A goal of the pilot program is to determine whether a community foundation can inspire local people to help local people, whether neighbors will indeed help neighbors, and whether charity really does begin at home,” she said. “Meeting the $100,000 challenge will prove that this really is the case in Delaware County.
“Connecting generous people who want to do great things with creative opportunities, and increasing philanthropic resources, are what community foundations do. If our neighbors step forward to help us take advantage of this unique opportunity to leverage this grant, we will be able to assist many more families, which is particularly critical during these troubling times,” said Hendricks.
Delaware County residents and businesses wishing to contribute to the challenge may mail a check payable to The Delaware County Community Foundation, earmarked for The Delco Sunshine Fund, to DCCF, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite E-140, Radnor, PA 19087, or give online at www.delcocf.org.
Residents interested in applying for assistance can contact Danita Miller at CAADC, 610-874-8451.
May is National Community Action Month - May 1, 2009
MEDIA, PA - Flags will be flying on State Street during the entire month of May as the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) celebrates National Community Action Month. The observance begins with a kick-off party hosted by Brodeur’s on State Street in Media on May 7th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of CAADC, hopes that throughout the month-long festivities, “the public will keep in mind the folks CAADC serves.” He added, “With the economic uncertainty their neighbors are facing, this is a time for fellowship and to learn how we can all work together to fight poverty.” In addition to the previously mentioned activities, Pennsylvania’s Wine and Spirit stores in Delaware County will also have donations canisters at their registers for CAADC all during May. Delaware County Council will be passing a resolution in May declaring it Community Action Month in Delaware County.
CAADC, a non-profit corporation, has been Delaware County’s designated anti-poverty agency since 1979. The non-profit agency provides a wide range of services aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency for low-income individuals and helping families facing an economic crisis. The Agency helped over 7,500 economically disadvantaged individuals last year. CAADC’s website is www.caadc.org and residents can call (610) 874-8451 for assistance.
The Philadelphia Foundation Supports CAADC - April 15, 2009
Media, PA --- The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) recently received grants totaling $21,500 from The Philadelphia Foundation to support Shelter/Housing, Energy and Transportation initiatives. The Philadelphia Foundation created the Basic Human Needs Fund to serve immediate and urgent needs of the region’s most vulnerable populations due to the current harsh economic climate. CAADC was provided with grants to help serve families in Delaware County affected by the recession.
Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of CAADC, stated “The Philadelphia Foundation is providing vital support for families affected by the economic downturn when it is most needed. We are very appreciative of their support.”
Donations Warehouse Needs Help from the Community - March 20, 2009
Media, PA --- The Donations Warehouse, operated by the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC), has a significant need for furniture donations. With the recent economic downturn, donations have been down while the need for assistance has been great. The Donations Warehouse, which opened in 1998, picks-up donated furniture and then delivers it to homeless families leaving shelters, fire victims and victims of domestic abuse. The program has now helped over 1,750 families including the delivery of over 21,000 pieces of furniture.
Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Agency, stated, “We are extremely proud of this program and all of the families that have benefited from it. It is truly a community effort. Continued assistance from the community will allow us to keep helping our neighbors in need.”
The Donations Warehouse, located in Folcroft, operates solely on donations from the community. The furniture needs to be in good shape. To make a donation call (610) 522-9611 and leave a message and someone will call you back to arrange a pick-up appointment. All donations are tax deductible.
M&T Bank Supports Community Action Agency - January 21, 2009
Media, PA - M&T Bank has donated $8,500 to the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) to support their Case Management Programs. CAADC provides a wide range of services aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency for low-income individuals including emergency shelter, transitional housing, employment and training programs, etc. This contribution will be used to support counseling activities for these low-income families facing a crisis.
Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of CAADC, stated “this extremely generous donation from M&T Bank will help families that have become homeless or lost their job as they try to find new employment or to establish a new home. We are very grateful for their support.”
Weatherization Can Help Families Lower Their Bills - June 12, 2008
MEDIA- As rising gas and food bills continue to affect low-income Americans each day, they can expect to see similar increases in home heating bills next winter. However, there is something that they can do now to help lower these bills. Weatherization provides a cost-effective permanent solution for reducing the heavy energy burden on low-income Americans.
The Weatherization Assistance Program in Delaware County is administered by the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC). The program provides quality energy education and home conservation modifications. On average, the program reduces heating bills by 31%. All services are free of charge.
Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of CAADC, urged, “With the continued escalation of home heating costs, this program can make a tremendous difference to those already with strained budget. This is an excellent time to call and get fast service before the program gets very busy in the Fall.”
Delaware County renters and homeowners are eligible to apply as long as they have not had their homes weatherized since September 30, 1993 and meet income eligibility guidelines. To apply for the Weatherization Program or for additional information, residents can contact CAADC at (610) 521-8770.
