Central Florida
Community Action Agency

"Helping People Help Themselves"

in Alachua, Levy and Marion Counties, Florida

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

CFCAA's Bike Helmet Distribution Project

Starting January 1997, all bike riders under the age of sixteen are required to wear a safety helmet. This law, designed to help reduce head and spinal chord injuries in young people, may cause difficulties for families without means to purchase helmets.

Central Florida Community Action Agency has been selected to distribute helmets to needy families. State Representative Bob Casey, who sponsored the initial Bill, also initiated a voucher system for making contributions toward providing free helmets. Contributors include medical providers, insurance companies and private individuals.

If your child needs a bicycle helmet, or if you would like to make a contribution to help cover the costs ($5 per helmet), please contact CFCAA.

CFCAA's Web Page Service

CFCAA offers low-cost web-page service! Proceeds from this project will be used to train and pay Family Self-Sufficiency clients as they develop computer skills for welfare-to-work training.

Send information, brochure or mission statement, and $100 web page fee to:

CFCAA Web Pages,
PO Box 1503
Gainesville, FL 32602.
For more information, contact CFCAA.

CALL-IN

Community Action Living and Learning Information Network - problem-solving in the information age. Computer-assisted CALL-IN Centers help people help themselves through the programs and services of Community Action Agency, with networks of support for solving personal, interpersonal and societal problems.

Family Self Sufficiency Program

Emergency Assistance

Energy Assistance

Housing Assistance

Energy Conservation Repairs: CFCAA provides repairs to homes that may include weather-stripping, caulking, replacement of windows and doors, plumbing, structural, electrical repairs, and roofing. Repairs are available in Alachua, Levy and Marion Counties. Energy Programs also repair or replace broken or energy consumptious refrigeration, heating and cooling equipment.

Nutrition

Emergency Food Assistance: CFCAA provides food pantry and special distributions of perishables, canned and dry food when available in Alachua County.

Community Farm: CFCAA provides free food to needy persons and plots for growing organically grown vegetables for the needy at Copeland Farm in Alachua County.

Community Based Organizations

Referral Services For

Neighborhood Service Centers

- Alachua City Hall - Archer Community Center - Wilhelmina Johnson Center - Williston Community Center - Hawthorne City Hall - High Springs Social Service Center - LaCrosse St Paul Missionary Baptist Church - HRS Office, Chiefland - Micanopy Town Hall - Monteocha Gordon Community Center - Newberry Community Center - Ocala Service Center - Waldo Community Center

General Documentation Requirements for Program Participants

Alachua County Food Distribution Sites

What is the Community Action Agency?

Program Development / Coordination

The Community Action Agency serves as a resource for the poor by identifying and addressing the local needs of low income persons. When need for a particular service arises, CAA provides a direct service or makes the appropriate referral to other existing agencies while minimizing duplication of effort. In some cases, CAA develops the needed program by soliciting other community resources. A recent GAO report revealed that services provided by CAA complement rather than duplicate other social service programs.

CAA's goals are to sensitize the community, government, and private sector to the needs of the poor; promote institutional change; develop procedures for identifying, addressing, and disseminating information on the true needs of the poor; and to maintain a service delivery network that provides the opportunity for individuals to move toward self-sufficiency and independence.

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Sponsors and Support

- The Florida Department of Community Affairs - City of Gainesville CDBG & HOME Programs - Department of Agriculture - Alachua County Board of County Commissioners - Levy County Board of County Commissioners - local and rural municipalities - volunteers - private contributors

For food distribution site information or community service center schedules call CFCAA at 352-373-7667 or e-mail cfcaa@afn.org

Volunteers

Volunteers are vital to CAA's program delivery and are networked and trained for specific duties by CFCAA staff. Volunteers also publicize CFCAA programs in low income communities. Volunteers are needed to implement programs of the CFCAA service network. If you are interested in volunteering, complete and return the Volunteer Information below, or call CFCAA at 352-373-7667. In counties other than Alachua, please call 1-800-732-3018.

Yes, I want to help!

Name____________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

City_______________________State__________Zip__________

Office phone______________ Home Phone__________________

e-mail _______________________________________________

Please contact me about:

[ ] special skills [ ] Advertising [ ] Clerical
[ ] Food Distribution [ ] Fundraising [ ] Delivery Driver
[ ] Service Center Assistance [ ] Housing Repairs (skilled / unskilled labor)
[ ] Other programs

I'm available [ ] mornings [ ] evenings [ ] days