|
Baltimore Project Homeless Connect
|
|
On September 19, 2013 CAN participated in the Baltimore Project Homeless Connect event at the Baltimore Convention Center. CAN staff was on site to assist with services and transported four homeless individuals back
to the shelters, including a veteran.
|
|
United Healthcare Workshops
|
We've partnered with United Healthcare to offer health nutrition classes monthly. In the past two fiscal year 13 families and 39 persons were helped successfully. These workshops aim to aide low-income residents regarding nutrition, meal planning, and healthy snacks for children, and food preparation.
|
|
United Way
Healthy Food Initiative
|
We applied for the "Access to Healthy Food Initiative" grant through United Way and are now proud recipients of the grant. This grant allowed us to purchase a 26,000 pound truck so we can pick-up fresh food products and donations. CAN distributes food to our clients, shelters, outreach centers, and community partners. In addition, we provide monthly educational workshops, which is free to the public.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 | |
A. Antonio Coffield Sr.
Executive Director
|
Dear Friends,
As many Americans are dealing with the aftermath of the the recent government shutdown, thankfully it has not had an immediate drastic affect on homeless and community service programs just yet. Community Action Agencies are still able to offer the many services that assist the homeless and low-income residents in the community by providing critical services to sustain self-sufficiency. Our vision at Community Assistance Network, Inc. (CAN) is to eliminate poverty and we have many services that allow us to reach this goal.
On any given day, there is a line of needy clients standing outside of our main office waiting to receive services. From the food pantry, rental or utility assistance, emergency shelter, weatherization, tax preparation or information and referrals, CAN intercepts their crises and assist in providing solutions. For the past 49 years we have had the opportunity to aid our surrounding communities, but in recent months we have observed an increase demand request for services.
In order to serve over 56,000 people, annually, we depend on our community partners, volunteers and employees. Thank you for your time, talent and treasures. Please continue to help us impact our most vulnerable and local citizens and help them move towards self-sufficiency.
This newsletter outlines some of our achievements and how crucial your involvement has been to the success of our program delivery. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff and thousands of families and persons served in Baltimore County, we thank you!
Sincerely,
A. Antonio Coffield, Sr.
Executive Director
|
|
 | Phyllis Johnson
Director of Services |
Reaching out to the Community
"Even when the kettle is up to its neck in hot water, it still sings."
Each day, many Baltimore County residents make their way to one of CAN's nine outreach services center. Staff members provide professional, effective, and immediate services to those faced with high utility bills, overdue rent and/or in need of budget counseling. Filled up to their necks, Phyllis Johnson, Director of Services, knows that CAN can still make a difference and provide relief for those facing hardship. Phyllis is the longest CAN employee with twenty nine years of impacting lives on a daily basis. Standing strong and confident are the most important qualities of services that Phyllis wishes to continually bring to the table for our community members in need of help and hope. Read more
|
|
Healthy Food for Healthy Living
|
 | Thomas Blackburn
Director of Food Pantry |
Food Pantry
Whether it's a car or truck, cab or bus, each month hundreds of people make their way down to CAN's food pantry, by any means necessary. Monthly, CAN provides food to approximately 3,000 families and individuals in need of the most basic necessity, food. One of our goals is to provide courteous and friendly service to each and every client we serve during their time of need. Read more
|
|
Keeping Cool, Keeping Warm, Staying Safe
|
 | |
Edi Palau
Director of Weatherization
|
Weatherization
Imagine not having properly stored heat for fifteen years and having to use space heaters to keep you warm in the cold winter months! Through the coldest winters or the hottest summers CAN is able help low-income families reduce their energy consumption in the midst of their hardships. Read more
|
Helping to End Homelessness
|
 | Megan Goffney
Director of Homeless Services |
Permanently Housing our Most Vulnerable
On any given night, CAN houses up to 235 of the nearly 550 people that are homeless in Baltimore County. As we work to serve the needs of 125 family members and individuals at the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter and 110 men at our Westside Men's Emergency Shelter, we thank all of our staff, volunteers and supporters for their time and commitment. Read more
|
|
|
|
3rd Annual
"Trunk or Treat"
Eastside Family Emergency Shelter held their annual Trunk or Treat on October 25th. There were a total of 30 participants who decorated their vehicles and trunks and over 60 people volunteered for the event! Children were able to go trunk or treating, decorate pumpkins, make arts and crafts, and decorate baked cookies. We thank all volunteers, staff and donors for making this a successful turnout.
|
Samaritan Housing Program
CAN offers permanent supportive housing for the most chronically homeless individuals through our Samaritan Housing Program. Please click on the article above to find out more information about this program.
|
|
|
Opening Doors of Opportunities
|
 | | Hyoin Kang and Kyuyoung Kim, Korea West Interns |
Have you ever had the opportunity to travel 6,900 miles around the world to intern at a non-profit organization? Well this is the story of two interns from South Korea, who selected CAN as their first work experience in the United States. From helping in marketing to assisting the Weatherization department, they both are making a beneficial difference in CAN! Read More
|
|
 | |
Jordan Blades
Executive Assistant
ROMA Specialist
|
Thank you for reading, The CAN Connection! We hope you found
this newsletter informative, inspiring and engaging. Here at CAN we pride ourselves on being innovative and creative to best serve our community, our clients and our partners. One way we can do this is to provide a quarterly newsletter that showcases the different departments within CAN which are the Food Pantry, Weatherization, Emergency Shelters and the Services department. It's important to us to keep everyone abreast of what we do on a regular basis servicing the low income and homeless residents of Baltimore County. We strive to be preeminent in our services so that in return we help those we serve move towards self-sufficiency.
Sincerely,
Jordan Blades
|
|
|
|
Board of Directors
Deborah Harris
President
Rev. Fred Weimert
Vice President
Janice Evans
Secretary
Vacancy
Treasurer
Harry T. Spikes, Jr.
Rev. Joe Skillman
Justin Franklin
Suzy Beegle
Robert Cooper
Charlie Marek
|
|
"Volunteers do not get paid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless".
In this article we highlight Greta and Patricia Chambers for their diligent volunteering with the Food Pantry. Everyday Greta and her daughter "Trish" help pack the food boxes for the individuals and families that come to receive food at the food pantry. On a busy day there can be up to a hundred people that the food pantry team serves. Both Greta and her daughter were also awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" at the Maryland Community Action Partnership 13th Annual Training Conference that was held in May of this year. They are both assets to the CAN team and we all look forward to their continued support and dilligence.
|
|
Board and Staff Retreat
2013
|
Every August, annually, CAN's staff and board of directors get together to evaluate the past year and goals set for the coming year for two days. Both days are filled with team building activities, discussions, presentations and camaraderie.
|
|
|
|
