Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
On Thursday May 11, 2017, the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Coalition held their end of year dinner. Southwestern Community Action, Inc. received 3 awards!
Jerry Yeager received the award for Most Returns by a Returning Volunteer, our Milton and Point Pleasant sites received a combined award for Best Overall VITA Sites and for Lowest Rejection Rate!
SCAC's VITA tax preparers are Jerry Yeager, Eric Rogers, Nikki Holcomb and site coordinator Christy Kinder. Total returns: 522 Total refunds: $614,972.00, including $215,261.00 in tax credits for low-income families and seniors.
From Thursday's awards dinner - "This was a very rough tax season for us all. Rejections were high and numbers were flat across the board, mostly due to software issues. But one organization in our coalition really went above and beyond this year with double digit return increases and single digit rejection rates. Thank you, Southwestern Community Action Council, for having the best overall VITA Sites."
Kudos and Thank You to Jerry, Eric, Nikki and Christy for your hard work and dedication to the communities you serve!
#vita #CommunityAction #CAP #SCAC #BeCommunityAction
Headstart/Early Headstart Family Engagement at Monroe Center
Recently the children enrolled at our Monroe Center, which includes 16 Early Head Start infants and toddlers and over 100 three and four year old Head Start and Pre-K children, held an Art Show and Sale to open our monthly Family Engagement. Over 60 parents attended this Family Engagement and Art Show and Sale that was held on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Each child had an opportunity to create many pieces of art using various materials of their choice. As you will see in the pictures posted, our staff took great pride in displaying the art and the children took pride in creating the art. We were so pleased with the response and success of The Art Show and Sale and we look forward to our next Family Engagement with our families in May!
Employee of the Quarter
It is our pleasure to announce that Elizabeth Matthews, Executive Assistant for Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. has been selected as the Employee of the Quarter. In her role, Elizabeth deals with our executive staff, board of directors, program directors, frontline staff and other individuals and businesses inside and outside of our agency. She is responsible for planning and coordinating many meetings and events. Elizabeth has the ability to multitask with ease. She possesses strength, flexibility and humor as she enhances and maintains operations agency wide.
Thank you Elizabeth for your hard work and commitment to our agency!
Employees are nominated by supervisors and/or peer based on outstanding service to the families served by the agency.
Dwight Coburn, CEO presents Elizabeth Matthews with her Employee of the Quarter award.
Employee of the Quarter
It is our pleasure to announce that Connie Walters, Area Supervisor for SCAC’s Head Start/Early Head Start program, has been selected as the Employee of the Quarter! Connie has been employed with the agency for 26 years and has held many different positions in her time! She is known for going above and beyond and is always there for employees and the children and families we serve. Connie always has a smile on her face and is known for being professional and courteous to everyone. She is described as being dedicated, trustworthy, friendly, kind and loyal. Thank you Connie for your hard work and dedication to the Head Start/Early Head Start program and our agency!
Employees are nominated by supervisors and/or peer based on outstanding service to the families served by the agency.
Dwight Coburn, CEO and Donna Taylor CFDP Program Director presents Connie Walters with her Employee of the Quarter award.
SCAC Recognized
Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. is proud to be named to the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness President's List of HMIS Superstars - perfect data for the entire year!
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a state-wide database used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness.
This information is used to form Homeless policy at the Federal and State level.
Kudos to all our agency employees for their hard work and dedication! It's more than just recognition - it's about making change in our community and state and helping others the best we can!
Mason County Shelter Open House
Mason County Homeless Shelter held their Fifth Annual Open House on October 7, 2016. Many thanks to those who came to visit. Staff, residents and volunteers worked hard to prepare for the event. The community is very supportive of the shelter and we appreciate all of their help.
2016 All Staff Training
Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. conducted an Agency Wide All Staff Training with 200+ employees in attendance Friday 9/2/16. Among the featured speakers was Rich Walters with the law firm of Shaffer & Shaffer. Rich spoke to employees on Sexual Harassment, Diversity and on having a Drug Free Workplace.
Employees were also recognized for years of service. See picture gallery below.
Rich Walters with the law firm of Shaffer & Shaffer
Rosa Wiley Retires
Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. would like to congratulate Rosa Wiley (pictured with CEO Dwight Coburn) on her retirement! Rosa has been employed with SCAC through the Head Start/Early Head Start program for over 45 years! She has held many positions in her time with the agency but retires as an Area Supervisor for Lincoln County. Rosa is loved and respected by many and will be greatly missed. Enjoy your retirement Rosa and thank you for all your years of service!
Dwight Coburn, CEO congratulates Rosa Wiley on her retirement.
Employee of the Quarter
It is our pleasure to announce that Teresa Gleason, Senior Team Member for our Mason County Homeless Shelter program has been selected as the Employee of the Quarter. Teresa has been employed with the agency for six years. In that time, Teresa has worked hard to build connections throughout the community with local businesses, churches, law enforcement and governmental officials. She also organizes a Food Pantry that is operated out of the Shelter and works closely with the DHHR to coordinate volunteer workers. Her dedication to the shelter residents and the community as a whole is felt by everyone. Congratulations Teresa! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Mason County Homeless Shelter and to Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc.!
Employees are nominated by supervisors and/or peer based on outstanding service to the families served by the agency.
Dwight Coburn, CEO presents Teresa Gleason with her Employee of the Quarter award.
Board Member Retires
Lois Elkins retired from Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc.’s Board of Directors at the May 2016 meeting. Lois served as our Board Secretary as well as on various committees. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Lois and her husband Russell for her 15 years of faithful service.
Lois Elkins (left) accepts a plaque in recognition of 15 years of service from CEO Dwight Coburn. Also present is Lois's husband Russell Elkins.
Employee of the Year 2015
It is our pleasure to announce that Rosa Wiley, Lincoln County Area Supervisor for the Head Start/Early Head Start program, has been selected as the Employee of the Year! Rosa has worked for the agency for 45 years! Reliability, loyalty and dependability are all strong characteristics of Rosa's. When a problem occurs she steps up to the plate and tackles them in a respectful and professional manner. She works well with the school system and eliminates problems before they happen. She truly has the welfare of the children and families first and foremost in her heart. Congratulations Rosa!
Employees are nominated by supervisors and/or peer based on outstanding service to the families served by the agency.
Rosa Wiley, center, receives the Employee of the Year award from Program Director, Donna Taylor and Dwight Coburn, CEO.
50th Head Start
Anniverssary Celebration
Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Head Start by planting a rose in the Glennalee Fulks Memorial Garden at the Monroe Head Start Center on Monday, May 18, 2015. Loretta Smith and Melinda Perry were given the honor of planting the rose while the children, staff and parents watched and clapped as the rose was planted. Mrs. Fulks, along with her husband Don Fulks assisted in the construction of the flower garden that was built in 2010.
Top left - Donna Taylor, CFDP Director & Kany Rutherford, Assistant CFDP Director.
Top Right - Melinda Perry, Director Donna Taylor & Lorretta Smith.
Bottom - Head Start staff & students watch as the rose is planted in honor of Head Start's 50th Anniversary.