Current Events Archives

Table of Contents

1. Free Financial Literacy Seminar Held in Telfair County
2. Local Organizations Team Up to Hold Free Homebuyer Education Seminar
3. The Promise: Makes America a Better Place to Live
4. We Love Our Volunteers
5. Energy Assistance Program Opens
6. Head Start Taking Applications
7. Weatherization Gets Boost from Stimulus Package
8. Commodities Distribution to begin in April for Middle Georgia Counties
9. Heart's Commodities Distribution
10. Thinking of Buying a Home? Take a Look at Our FREE Services
11. Summer Commodities Food Distribution- Middle Georgia Schedule
12. Heart Fan Distribution Partnered with SCANA

13. Middle Georgia Board Member Retires

14. Join us for an Evening of Fun and Support a Good Cause 

15. Summer Commodities Food Distribution- Heart of Georgia Schedule

16. Heart of Georgia Community Services Block Grant News

Local Organizations Team Up to Hold Free Homebuyer Education Seminar  first published 01/2010 

               Heart of Georgia Community Action Council (HOGCAC) and Fort Valley State University will hold a free Homebuyer Education Seminar on February 18, 2010 from 9 am to 4 pm. This seminar will be held at the Heart of Georgia office located at 324 Pine Street, Eastman, GA.

“The seminar is designed for first time homebuyers. If you have not purchased a home in the last three years, you qualify as a first time home buyer. Those people who complete the six hour seminar will receive a certificate allowing them to take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit being offered by the government,” stated April Moore, HOGCAC Housing Counselor.

Local professionals along with April Moore will be on hand to cover the topics of down-payment assistance, the lending process, available mortgages, home maintenance, and avoiding foreclosure. Keishon Thomas, Fort Valley State University’s certified Credit Counselor, will be on hand to discuss organizing your finances and managing your credit.
Registration is required to attend this free event. Materials, lunch, and refreshments will be provided.

For additional information on the free Homebuyers Education Seminar or to register, contact April Moore at (877) 296-3830. 

The Promise: Makes America a Better Place to Live  first published 10/2009

We Love Our Volunteers     first published 10/2009

 The Telfair County football team (to the right) and coach came to the rescue for Heart of Georgia’s commodities distribution in Telfair when the county detail canceled at the last minute.  Heart of Georgia is  so grateful for their assistance and community involvement. 

This story was front page news in The Telfair Enterprise on August 12, 2009.

 
Whitney Ellis (to the left) is a  Senior at Warner Robins High School. She is 17 years old and a volunteer that helps with Commodities Distribution in Warner Robins. Whitney is also active in school, where she is in Chorus and All-State Chorus, all while working on a dual seal diploma. She also works part time at a McDonald's in Perry.  Recently, Whitney was asked about her volunteer efforts.

Question: Why do you volunteer? 

Answer: It's fun and I like to do it.

Question: Where do you volunteer at?

Answer: When school is out, I help with commodity distributions.  Also, this summer, I

was an assistant coach with the Warner Robins Rec. Dept.  I also volunteer at a local retirement home by helping out with a lady resident.

Question: When do you volunteer?

Answer: Whenever I am needed, but when I am out of school it is easier for me.

Question: How do you feel about volunteering?

Answer: It's fun and I get a chance to meet new people. I also like hanging out with my Aunt Terri (Perry and Twiggs County Developer). It is also good for college.

Perry Commodities saw local Wal-Mart volunteers help out. Some of the volunteers are pictured below. 

During the last Commodities Distribution in Perry, Wal-Mart donated $1,500. The donation was the result of a Wal-Mart program. In this program, when Wal-Mart employees donate a certain amount of time to a particular cause, Wal-Mart Corporation donates money to the organization.  

Energy Assistance Program Opens   first published 10/2009

Georgia’s regular Energy Assistance Program will open November 2, 2009, for the homebound and elderly (65 years of age or older) households, and on December 1, 2009 for all other eligible households.  The program provides financial assistance to low-income, elderly and handicapped households to help pay their home heating costs. However, emergency assistance may be available to those who have been disconnected or are in danger of disconnection.

Households participating in the program must meet income criteria and be responsible for the cost of heating their homes.  To be eligible, households must have an income equal to or less than 60 percent of the state median income guidelines - $21,458 for a one-person household, $28,061 for two people, $34,663 for three people, $41,266 for four people, $47,868 for five people, $54,471 for six people, $55,709 for seven people, or  $56,947 for eight people.

Payments will be made primarily by checks to home energy suppliers for gas, electricity, wood, coal, or kerosene used in heating a home.  The one-time payments will average about $345 per household.

Applicants should contact their local Neighborhood Service Center or Community Service Center to make an appointment or for more information.  The program will close when funds are depleted.

Applicants should have proof of income for the last 30 days for all household members.  This proof may be a paycheck stub, or a letter granting public assistance, Social Security, or unemployment benefits.  Applicants must also have the social security numbers of all household members 18 years or older (proof of age will also need to be provided during the month of November), and their most recent utility or fuel bill.

Households whose fuel costs are included in their rent are ineligible for assistance.  

Head Start Taking Applications first published 5/2009

Middle Georgia Community Action Agency, Inc. is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Head Start Program Year.  

Head Start is a federally funded program for low-income children ages 3 to 5 yrs old.  There is no cost to attend Head Start.  

For more information, check out the Head Start page or the Head Start FAQ page. Click for a  Head Start Application.

For information on applying, call 478-922-4464.    

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Weatherization Gets Boost from Stimulus Package  first published 4/2009

The Weatherization Program is getting a boost from the stimulus package. The money from this package will be used mainly to make homes of low- income people more energy efficient.  However, some of the money is intended to create jobs in this slumped economy. Both Heart of Georgia Community Action and Middle Georgia Community Action will feel the effects of the job boom. The programs will expand from 6 to 16 by May 1, 2009 . These programs will train the new employees and be able to weatherize 22 houses a month, a 14 home increase from this time last year.

The Weatherization Assistance Program is offered to help reduce electric and gas consumption of low income eligible applicants for heating/ and or cooling their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.

Weatherization may be able to provide attic insulation, floor insulation, repairing or replacing space heaters or furnaces, sealing of air leaks of windows and doors by caulking, weather-stripping, thresholds and glazing. We will install an energy conservation kit that includes compact florescent light bulbs, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, shower head, faucet aerators. We also provide testing of all gas burning appliances for carbon monoxide.

Counties Served: BIBB, BLECKLEY, BUTTS, CRAWFORD, DODGE, HOUSTON , JONES, LAMAR, LAURENS, MONROE , MONTGOMERY , PEACH, PIKE, PULASKI, SPALDING, TELFAIR, TREUTLEN, TWIGGS, UPSON, WHEELER, WILCOX

For more information on the Weatherization Program, Click Here to email Kristen Mayhew. To download an application, Click Here. To apply for a job, Click Here.

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Commodities Distribution to Begin in April for Middle Georgia’s Counties first published 4/2009

What is Commodities Food Distribution?

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is also known as USDA Commodities Distribution. It is a Federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes commodities available to State Distributing Agencies, which make those commodities available to organizations like Heart of Georgia Community Action Council and Middle Georgia Community Action Agency. The Agencies distribute these commodities directly to individuals and families.

 What Types of Commodity Foods Can I Expect to Get?

The types of commodity foods USDA purchases for this program vary depending on preferences of Georgia and agricultural market conditions. This year foods expected are mixed vegetables, beans, corn, vegetable soup, sweet potatoes, spaghetti sauce, cherry apple juice, orange juice, applesauce, mixed fruit, peaches, plums, beef stew, tuna, great northern beans, biscuit mix, peanut butter, rotini, rice, and corn flakes.

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

To receive the commodities, the only requirements for eligibility is income and number of people in household. See chart below to see if you or someone you know qualifies.

I’m interested in Commodity Food Distribution. What do I do?

Contact the Neighborhood Service Center in your county for distribution dates and locations. Click here to see the contact information for the Neighborhood Service Center in your county.

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Heart’s Commodities Distribution first published 4/2009

March was Heart of Georgia’s commodities distribution.  The calls and inquiries were numerous from our clients needing this service.  We were proud to be able to offer 20 canned items this distribution: mixed vegetables, beans, corn, vegetable soup, sweet potatoes, spaghetti sauce, cherry apple juice, orange juice, applesauce, mixed fruit, peaches, plums, beef stew, tuna, great northern beans, biscuit mix, peanut butter, rotini, rice, and corn flakes.  Our clients’ gratitude to our staff and volunteers for making this happen in support of their great outcry makes the work and effort involved all the more worthwhile.

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Thinking of Buying a Home? Take a Look at Our FREE Services first published 6/2009

Are you thinking about buying a home? Do you have questions about the home buying process? Do you have questions about your credit? Are you just not sure if you can afford a home right now? Are you so overwhelmed you don’t know where to start?

Start here with our HUD-certified Housing Counselors. Housing Counselors sort through your questions and help you find your way to homeownership. They will help you create a budget so you will know how much home you can afford and how much you need to save for the down payment, show you how to clean up your credit, and help you decide on housing options.

HUD-certified Housing Counselors don’t stop there. Once you buy your new home, our Counselors can help you protect your investment by sharing knowledge about how to keep your home in good condition and help you decide on the insurance coverage you will need.

The best part? Housing Counseling is a free service!

Join our HUD-Certified Housing Counselors for their free Homebuyer Workshops in Warner Robins!

If you can’t join the Workshop, you can always call 478-328-0333 or email them for a free one-on-one appointment.

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Related links: USDA Commodities Program information

                     Commodity Food Authorization To Pick Up Form

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Heart Fan Distribution Partnered with SCANA  first published 6/2009

SCANA Energy has supplied the agency with 100 fans to distribute to low-income elderly clients who don’t have working air-conditioning.  These 100 fans will be distributed in the counties who are also served by SCANA,  Those include Dodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treutlen, and Wheeler.  In addition to receiving a fan, some clients will be able to participate in a community health fair being held at three distribution sites. Below are the confirmed dates. Check the Current Events page, contact your Community Service Center, or check your local paper for updates.

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Middle Georgia Community Action Board Member Retires  first published 6/2009                

Mr. Hugh Morris, a member of the Middle Georgia Community Action Agency Board of Directors, announced his retirement during a recent board meeting.  Mr. Morris has served on the board as a representative of the private sector since 1996.  During his time on the Board, he also served on the Planning and Human Rights Committees.

Mr. Morris is a World War II veteran and a retired civil service employee.  He spent many years at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins.  He is the widower of Elise Morris of Vienna, who  was the first director of the American Red Cross in Houston County and served in that capacity until her death in 1996.  Mr. Morris is also the widower of second wife, Sarah Venezia Morris.  Sarah was an active member of the Centerville Senior Citizens Group and First Baptist Church of Centerville.  Mr. Morris has one daughter, one grandson, and two great grandchildren.  The Board and Staff of MGCAA extends their gratitude to  Mr. Morris for his years of service and dedication.

From left to right: Hugh Morris accepts an appreciation plaque from Sonny Watson, Chairman.

For more information on the Board, its members, or schedule click here.  

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Join us for a Night of Fun and Support of a Good Cause first published 7/1/09

Middle Georgia Community Action Agency, Inc is holding a fundraising event at Books-A-Million in Warner Robins , GA. This fundraiser will help the agency provide services to low-income and elderly persons. Books-A-Million will donate a portion of sales at the event to Middle Georgia Community Action Agency. Participants will need to tell the cashier that they are with Middle Georgia Community Action Agency or have a voucher. The community is asked to come out and support this event.

About this Event:

Date and time: Friday, August 28, 2009 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM  

Location: Books-A-Million

                2620 Watson Blvd Ste D
 Warner Robins , GA 31093-8069

Planned Activities Include:

* Book Signing- Jackie K. Cooper will be signing his latest book "The Sunrise Remembers"

* Blood Mobile Donations taken. Everyone that donates blood receives a free 2-week trial membership to Kinetix.

* Silent Auction

* 6 pm Storytime with Charles Farmer for Children Grades Pre-K to 5th Grade

* 7 pm Scavenger Hunt for Grades 6- 8

For more information, contact Alesha Mathis at 478-922-4464.

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HEART OF GEORGIA USDA COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION AUGUST/SEPTEMBER  2009 first published 7/1/09

Related links: USDA Commodities Program information

                     Commodity Food Authorization To Pick Up Form

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Heart of Georgia CSBG News first published 7/1/09

Heart has much to look forward to with the regular Community Service Block Grant programs and with the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) stimulus programs which will soon be launched.  We will be offering additional commodities distributions in August and September in all nine counties.  The distribution in September will be made possible due to the ARRA Stimulus funding.

A Cooling Assistance Program will open sometime in August to assist clients with their electric bills.  The anticipated opening date is August 3rd.  The assistance amount will be $350 to the vendor for those that are income eligible.  Those who were assisted with the heating program can also be assisted with cooling program.  We have no information at this date as to how many clients we will be able to assist.  That will be determined by the funds allocated by the Department of Human Resources.

For more information on programs mentioned in this article, go to the Community Services page. To find the contact information for your Community Service Center, go to the Contacts page.  

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Free Financial Literacy Seminar Held in Telfair County   3/17/2010

The UGA Cooperative Extension of Telfair County and Heart of Georgia Community Action Council are teaming up to offer two free Financial Literacy Seminars on March 24^th and 31^st from 3 – 5 pm . The seminars will be held at the Telfair County Extension Office located at 91 Telfair Street , Suite E in McRae , GA.

Each Seminar will cover topics dealing with money management habits, personal values toward spending, setting spending priorities, strategies to reduce spending, getting out of debt, and borrowing wisely.

“In the current economy, people are struggling financially. These free seminars will help attendees find strategies to manage and prioritize their finances. These strategies can make a big difference,” stated Kathy Gillam, Housing Counselor for Middle Georgia Community Action Agency.

For additional information on the free Financial Literacy Seminar or to sign up, contact Kathy Gillam by email or by phone at 1-800-422-9063.

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Revised: August 31, 2010 .