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Special points of interest:

• Child Safety

• Volunteers Needed

• West Ohio CAP ProgramsW

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Child Safety 3

Calendar of Events 4

Financial Literacy 5

Recipe & Reads 6

Coloring Page 7

WO CAP Programs 9

LSH 1 & 2 11

Inside this issue:

Helping People. Changing Lives. This is the promise made by Community Action and it is observed annually during the month of May, designated as Community Action Month. Cel-ebrated nationwide, Community Action Month in May was created by the Community Action Partnership to reinforce the role that Community Action Agencies like WOCAP play in assisting low-income families achieve self-sufficiency and stability. The month is to celebrate, commemorate and raise awareness of all of the work done by Community Action Agencies in their communities.

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves com-munities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help them-selves and each other. The mission of Com-munity Action is focused in on helping people move up and out of poverty.

Community Action Agencies like West Ohio CAP help individuals, families and communi-ties by:

advocating for limited-income citizens without a voice, so that they may enter the middle class and reach for the American dream,

Building and promoting economic stability as an essential aspect of enabling and enhancing stronger communities, which in turn promotes self-sufficiency, ensuring that all Americans are able to live in dignity, and

Enhancing the lives of millions of people across America by providing essential,

Community Action Month 2018

life-changing services and op-portunities such as affordable housing, economic develop-ment, health care, energy assis-tance, natural disaster relief and recovery.

West Ohio CAP furthers this mission of “helping people, changing lives” through the 14 programs we make available throughout our service area. Each year over 13,000 indi-viduals receive services from West Ohio CAP. In Allen County, our largest programs are in Child De-velopment Services like Head Start and Early Head Start.

In Auglaize and Mercer Counties our largest programs are Emergency Assistance and Self-Sufficiency Programs like Home Energy Assis-tance, Rental Assistance, Home Ownership, COLT

Lauren Link

Continued on page 2

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Page 2 WEST OHIO CAP VOLUM E 4 ISSUE 6

Transportation, and adult and youth Employment and Training Programs.

Community Action Month is all

about shining light on these

programs and services. We

have a number of different

activities and events sched-

uled throughout our service

area in May to celebrate.

Be on the lookout in May

as our agency prepares to

share our stories and com-

memorate our successes as

we will provide various fun

activities and events for all

to enjoy. We hope you join

us in the celebration of

Community Action in our

communities, our state, and

our nation.

Central A

Community Action Month Con’t from page 1

Judy Saine Michelle Barrows Central A has been hard at work making play dough and learning about farms and the animals that live on them. It has been a fun year and we are looking forward to the weather warming up so we can get outside and start exploring on the playground.

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Page 3 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6

Children’s curiosity sometimes leads them to explore items around the house.

As adults we do our due diligent to create and maintain a safe environment for our children, but sometimes maintaining a safe environment in our homes can be chal-lenging. Therefore, it is important to place all items out of reach that may adversely affect your child’s health and safety.

As a safeguard, never leave small children unattended in the bathtub, always dispose of mop water after each use, place safety plugs in all outlets in the home, and if a child is exposed to any poison, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

As a reminder, all purchased products must come with a label which gives infor-mation about the hazards that are associated with the product.

The safety and health of our children will always be first.

Erica Sullivan-Davis Safety Compliance Coordinator

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Page 4 WEST OHIO CAP VOLUM E 4 ISSUE 6

On April 17th Ms. Shareena Ingram signed the pa-

pers to close on her home. She received $6,000 in

funding from WOCAP’s homeownership down

payment assistance program. She completed 6 cred-

it hours in Wealth Prep, as well as 12 credit hours

in the Homeownership courses. Shareena is one of

WOCAP’s own. She is has been at WOCAP since

October 2015, and serves as a Primary Caregiver

and Family Service worker. The WOCAP team is

excited and proud to congratulate Shareena Ingram

on the purchase of her new home.

Carmillia Zion

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• 1 pound of beef

• ½ brown onion, finely diced

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 packet of taco seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Combine all ingredients except for the mozzarella and salsa in a bowl using your clean hands.

3. Press the mixture evenly into the muffin tin cups and bake for 25 minutes.

4. Remove from oven and spoon over Mexican sauce and sprinkle mozzarella on each mini meatloaf.

5. Return to oven and cook a further 8 minutes until the cheese is melted.

ingredients

Freight

Train

Have a train-crazy kid? This book has great il-

lustrations to help children learn the names of

each type of train car Delightful cumulative rhyme leads up to the conse-quences of piling too many sleepy people and ani-mals in a cozy bed.

By Audrey Wood, Illustrated by Don Wood

Harcourt Publishing

By Donald Crews

Harper Collins

directions

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Dr. Marie Brown

Lewis Latimer

WEST OHIO CAP PROCESSING PIPP PLUS APPLICATIONS YEAR ROUND

West Ohio CAP continues to process enrollment and re-verification applications for PIPP Plus. Household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Income for a family of 4 could be $36,900.00.

•PIPP Plus is an income-based payment program for regulated utilities.•PIPP Plus helps households maintain gas and electric service.•Monthly payment is based on a percentage of household income.•PIPP Plus payments make monthly utility payments more affordable.

No appointment necessary to re-verify your PIPP Plus if your account is current! Just drop off the required information below at the nearest West Ohio CAP office and sign an Energy Assistance Programs Application. It’s that easy.

Required Documentation: •Current electric and gas bill regardless of account status.•Social Security numbers for all household members.•Income documentation for all household members for the last 13- weeks.•Documentation of Citizenship for all household members (Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Passport)•Proof of disability if disabled.

Call 1-855-286-7559 to schedule an appointment

Check out our Facebook page every day in May for information

on things we are doing to celebrate Community Action Month.

On Wednesday, May 9th we are presenting Stepping Stones to

Success awards at the Mayor’s Press Conference and on May

19th we will be hosting a bike rodeo. We will be posting daily

throughout the month so check us out and help us celebrate.

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ABC 123 Kaydence M. Triniti T.

Central A Egypt D. Da’Marion F. Khy’Marion F.

Central B Marcel M.

Central E Mikyla W.

Home Based (GG) Michael H. Bentley J. Braelon L. Caydren N. Isabelle S.

Home Based (JS) Kaitlyn B. Bayley H. Tali M-S. Ethan R. Isaac S. Camille T.

Home Based (AH) Gavin H. Cory M. Jr.

Home Based (JJ) Amadou D. Brayden G. Jaxon M.

Home Based (CW) Damion C. Peyton C. Maddox E.

Lucious M.

Home Based (WW) Kaiser E. Larmar M. Jr.

Lima Sr. I Johnisha W.

Lima Sr. II Bryce G-R.

Little Rascals B Navaeh H. Little Rascals C Dalante C.

Shawnee Infant Liam C. Dallyn M.

Allen East I Lydia F. Abigail J. Sakari W. Bricelynn W.

Allen East II Aiyden B-M. A’Mylah C. John P. DaQuion R. Casey S. II Colemar W.

Central C Lydia F. Angel G. Jeffery S. Ni’Quayla T.

Central D Mariona B-M.

Marliona B-M. Jamir C. Shannon C. Jordan D. Cynthia F. Carter P-T. Amir W.

Central F AM Armanii T.

Central F PM Tristen H. Lilith L Central G Ronald A. III Marissa D.

Central H Jariah H. Micah W.

Home Based (KC) Leland B. Eli M. Kai M.

Howard A Kemani G. A’King H. Bryson R.

Howard B Alaege’Ona B-C. Carter B. Raelynn D. Kai’dynce F. Jaheim G. Krishon G. Kashmere S.

Market St. I AM Miracle S. Stromie S.

Market St. I PM Kai C. Zavon H. Jeffery S.

Market St. II AM Monte G.

Market St. II PM Winter G. Zaylin W.

O’Neal A Lorimar C. Peyton C. Ja’Cion H. Richard I. II Willie J. IV Maleah S.

O’Neal B Latrice B. Kirtan P. JayShawn T.

Philippian I Andre A.

Philippian II Ivan B. Tae’Lor J. Makyi M. Martez M. Kaysen P.

St. Matthews Isabella M.

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This year LSH I & II celebrated our little Jada Joy by partnering with The Lima Sr. DECA program.They have a community service project that won first place in the state DECA competition. They will betraveling to the ATL for their international competition in May. Spread Jada’s Joy is a service project tobring awareness and knowledge of Down syndrome. Jada Joy is a child enrolled in the EHS program here at Lima Sr. The students in the DECA program have done several events to Spread Jada’s Joy, we joined them on March 21, 2018 for Crazy Sock Day. 3/21 represents the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome genetically making Down syndrome. The staff and students here at LSH I & II are happy to support and highlight our Jada Joy. It was an awesome day filled with fun crazy socks and great activities. Here are some Down syndrome facts that we learned in the month March:

Julia Miles Mary Raines

Lakeisha White-Sigman

Lue Bradley Abagael Clark

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Head Start classes are in need of volunteers for this program year. We are looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering in one of our Classrooms

If you are interested in volunteering please contact

Janet Buchanan at (419) 227-0158 EXT. 116 Design:asphoenixrises

Dick Accountius (Public) RTA

Susan Hord (Private) Rhodes State College

Erica Preston (Public) Auglaize Co. Commissioner Appointee

Mayor David Berger (Public) City of Lima

Heather Jordan (Private) Huntington Bank

Dan Reiff (Public) Allen County Commissioner Appointee

Natalie Bice (Private)(Treasurer) J.M. Green & Associates

Angie King (Public) Mercer Co. Commissioner Appointee

Warner Roach (Private)(President) City of Lima Public Works Department

Pam Fitzgerald (Low-Income) Allen County Council on Aging

Jennifer Korte (Low-Income) Auglaize Co. Educational Service Cen-ter

Amy Sackman-Odum (Low-Income) United Way of Greater Lima

Deb Gallmeier (Public) City of Delphos

Ann Miles (Public) Lima City Schools

DeAngelo Welch (Low-Income) Policy Council Representative

Dale Gisi (Private) St. Rita’s Medical Center

Elizabeth Muether (Private) Mercer County District Library

Charlene Williams (Low-Income) New Life Church International

Sharon Green (Low-Income) Mercer County Council on Aging

Norene Parish (Private) Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home

Tiffany Wright (Low-Income)(Vice President) Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority