Author: Kathy Mills

Goode News – December 2024

As I prepare to step down from my role as Executive Director of the Central Kentucky Community Action Council, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection. The journey we’ve shared over the years has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished together.

Throughout my tenure, my passion has always been to empower our community members, especially those in need, by creating programs that lift them out of poverty. Our initiatives have aimed to provide not just immediate relief but also sustainable pathways to better futures. Protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children and senior citizens—has been a core part of our mission, and I am heartened by the impact we’ve made in these areas.

I have been privileged to work alongside an incredible team whose dedication and hard work have been the cornerstone of our success. The love and respect I have for my staff and colleagues cannot be overstated. Your commitment to our cause and the compassion you show to those we serve inspire me every day. Together, we have built a community that truly cares and acts, and I am confident that this spirit will continue to thrive.

As I retire, I leave knowing that the Central Kentucky Community Action Council is in capable hands.  Bryan Conover will do a fantastic job leading our team starting January 1, 2025.  Our vision and mission will continue to be driven forward with the same fervor and dedication. I look forward to seeing the great strides that will be made in the years to come.

Thank you all for your support, friendship, and shared commitment to our community. It has been an honor to serve as your Executive Director.

More to come………….much more …………..

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) is actively looking for volunteers and our numbers are growing!

On October 28th, we celebrated our Senior Companion Program (SCP) volunteers with a wonderful recognition luncheon held at the American Legion in Elizabethtown. Volunteers dressed in costumes to add to the fun.  They were treated to a fantastic meal provided by Bluegrass Meats and Catering of Elizabethtown. They also got to enjoy a fun and interactive magic show presented by Aaron Hart of Hodgenville. 

SCP volunteers are so grateful to these vendors and entertainers for helping us make our volunteers feel how special they are to us and to their communities. Our volunteers put in thousands of hours each year, to the benefit of some of our most vulnerable citizens, and we are always grateful for their efforts.

If you are interested in becoming a Senior Companion volunteer in our service area of Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. Please reach out to Mary Jean Blake, AmeriCorps Director at (270) 692-2136.

 

 

Congregate Meals Program

Congregate Meals has been working with Lincoln Trail on the yearly monitoring to make sure we are compliant, this is due this month in November.

Congregate Meals has been working on our United Way grant due next month in December.

Congregate Meals has a new computer program called Mon-Ami. Congregate Meals would like to thank Lincoln Trail for all their help in getting us through some of our computer issues.

Congregate Meals is still in need of a part-time Cook and a full-time Coordinator at our Grayson County Senior Center.

Woodbine Construction has started demolition on our Elizabethtown building so there will be a new Congregate Meals cooking center opening in Hardin County.

Congregate Meals served were 11,069 in October and the meals continue to grow weekly.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Needs Volunteers!

On October 28th the senior volunteers of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) gathered in Elizabethtown at the American Legion to recognize and honor their service to their communities over the past year. RSVP volunteers serve in over 14 nonprofit workstations across Hardin and Nelson Counties. During the past year 103 volunteers served over 27,500 hours for these community partners. RSVP is proud of the work our volunteers do every day.

RSVP is grateful for the lunch, donated by Bluegrass Meats and Catering and the meeting space donated by the American Legion. Volunteers also enjoyed a magic show by Aaron Hart from Hodgenville.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in Hardin or Nelson Counties reach out to Melissa or Jessica at (270) 737-1059.

Central KY Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

CKCATS provides non-emergency transportation for the following services: Medicaid, Medicare, General Public, Senior, Veteran, and Intercity. Services vary depending on the county.

Medicaid services are provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. Medicaid hours are from 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Exceptions made be made for urgent care trips only.

Medicare services are provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion Nelson, Hardin, Bullitt, Adair, Boyle, Taylor and Green counties. Medicare hours are from 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Exceptions may be made for urgent care trips only.

General Public transportation is provided in Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. The hours of service are from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Senior transportation is provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion Nelson, Hardin, and Meade counties. The hours of service are from 8:30am-2pm Monday-Friday.

Veteran transportation is provided in Edmonson, Hart, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. The hours of service are 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

Intercity transportation is provided in the counties of Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties.

CKCATS had a virtual compliance review with the Office of Transportation on September 30th and a vehicle and facility inspection on October 9th. We received notice on October 30th that our FY2025 Compliance Review was found to be acceptable. Thanks to all staff who helped in getting information and who worked with us to make this compliance review a smooth process.

TESCO has confirmed that we will be receiving our (4) 8×2 cutaways on November 20th and our (7) 12×2 cutaways on November 22nd. These new buses are much needed and will be divided amongst our 5 county offices.

We are continuing to accept applications for future hiring. If you or anyone you know would like to join the staff at CKCATS, please go to careers@ckcac.org to apply.

Goode News – November 2024

November is upon us, and Central Kentucky is enjoying the beautiful transition into fall. This time of year, with crisp, cool mornings and the stunning array of colors in the trees, reminds us to pause and appreciate all the blessings around us. As we take in the beauty of this season, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on gratitude and the ways we can support one another.

At Central Kentucky Community Action Council, we are grateful for the opportunities to serve and uplift our communities. Thanks to your support, our programs continue to make a meaningful impact, from providing emergency services and senior assistance to helping families secure quality education thru head start and assistance for those in need of transport.

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, let’s remember that the spirit of giving is what brings us closer together. Whether it’s by lending a helping hand to a neighbor, volunteering with a local organization, or simply offering a kind word, we all have the power to make a difference. Our shared commitment to lifting up our community is something truly special, and it’s an honor to work alongside each of you in this mission.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this journey. May this season bring warmth to your heart and gratitude to your days.

More to come……………….much more……………….

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy 2024 Enrollment

For Immediate Release                                                                                                

 

Prepare for Fall – LIHEAP Subsidy Enrollment November 5th through December 20, 2024

 Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies Will Be Assisting Eligible Households in All 120 Counties

 FRANKFORT, Ky. (October 29, 2024):  Starting November 5, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP) Fall Subsidy enrollment is available through Kentucky’s Community Action Network for eligible Kentucky households. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through December 20, 2024, or until designated funds have been expended.

Individuals should apply through their local Community Action Agency office. To locate your local office, please call 800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org/network. Please be aware that some offices may be closed on November 5th for the General Election.

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy provides households with a one-time benefit depending on housing category, fuel type used for heating, and income level. Benefit can be applied towards home heating cost for electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.

Benefits are paid directly to the household’s energy vendor. Prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family

Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about LIHEAP, including contact information for all local Community Action agencies, please visit the Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.

About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting the 23 Community Action agencies across Kentucky that work to empower individuals and families to attain greater economic stability and long-term success. With a presence in all 120 Kentucky counties, Community Action agencies provide lifechanging resources and programs to support a wide array of service areas, including food security, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing assistance, workforce development, youth enrichment and more. As a statewide voice for local agencies, Community Action Kentucky works to address policy issues that impact low-income individuals and cultivates broad-reaching partnerships that improve the lives of thousands of Kentuckians, making it possible for them to achieve their goals. For more information about Community Action Kentucky, visit www.CAPKY.org.