Community Action Month

2012 A look at how Charleston County Human Services Commission

celebrated National Community Action Month in May 2012.

A Summary of Events 2012 National Community Action Month

May 3: Spring Staff Training and Retreat Charleston County Human Services Commission (CCHSC) staff members met at James Island County Park to receive vital agency updates; engage in strategic planning sessions for the agency’s programs using the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) logic model; participate in interactive teambuilding activities; and let their hair down for a Field Day! Fifty staff members attended.

May 9: South Carolina Community Action Partnership Legislative Breakfast Representatives from Charleston County Human Services Commission and the other 13 Community Action Agencies in South Carolina met in the Statehouse’s Blatt Building to tell their legislative representatives how Community Action is working for their communities and how they can access service for their constituents. Arnold Collins, Reba Hough-Martin and Chelsi Howard attended on behalf of the agency.

May 15: Teen Fit 2012: A fitness and nutrition workshop for teens Teens from Downtown Charleston’s high schools met at the historic John L. Dart Library to learn about easy ways to adopt healthy nutrition and fitness habits in this fun and interactive workshop. Nutritionists from the organization GLOW (God’s Love of Women) came to educate the teens about basic wellness principles. EarthFare donated healthy snacks for the attendees to enjoy. Thirteen teens participated.

May 24: Community Action Day Breakfast Attendees from local and state government, faith-based organizations, social service agencies, charitable organizations and the public met at North Charleston City Hall to learn what Charleston County Human Services Commission has done for the Tri-county area in the last year over breakfast; learned more about programs and services and how to access them; participated in a question and answer session and met the staff. This event was attended by 50 individuals.

May 24: Community Roll-Out Members of the Outreach staff (who administer LIHEAP services and emergency assistance), members of the Project Pride department (who provide employment and education support services) and members of the Asset Building department (who provide financial literacy counseling) came to serve members of the North Charleston community through a partnership with New Covenant Church of God, who allowed the agency to use its space to provide program participants with one-stop services. Forty-seven program participants were seen that day by the Outreach, Asset Building and Project Pride departments.

May 30: Board of Directors Planning Retreat

Members of the Charleston County Human Services Commission Board of Directors met for their annual planning retreat. While discussing programmatic matters, they took a moment to recognize Ella P. Rose, a dedicated Board Member whose term was coming to an end.

May 31: Insufficient Funds Workshop Attendees were able to discover how economic instability affects South Carolina families, neighborhoods, businesses and communities in this interactive and eye-opening workshop. They played the virtual game Spent to learn more about situational poverty and its various conditions and then worked together to come up with solutions that could be implemented in their communities. This workshop was created by CCHSC as a follow-up to the Community Action Poverty Simulation. It was attended by 22 individuals. To learn more about these events, please contact Chelsi Howard at 843-724-6760 ext. 235 or choward@cchscom.com. Visit www.cchscom.com or ‘Like’ us on Facebook to learn more about Charleston County Human Services Commission’s various programs and services!

Spring Staff Training and Retreat Staff convened to be trained on the national ROMA policies and procedures, receive updates on other agency departments and fellowship!

TeenFit 2012 A health and nutrition workshop for area teens held at the John L. Dart Library with topics facilitated by GLOW and our own AmeriCorps VISTA member, April Lowe.

Community Action Month Breakfast Attendees celebrated National Community Action Month by learning about what CCHSC is doing for the Tri-county area.

Presentation to Board Member during Board of Directors Planning Retreat

Insufficient Funds Workshop This interactive workshop explored the causes and conditions of poverty and ways the community could work to address them.

Can’t wait until National Community Action Month 2013! Stay tuned for more

details…