TACAA

Going Beyond Hunger

Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Going Beyond Hunger; Food Insecurity in America, an issue brief from the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP), seeks to understand the role that food insecurity plays in low-income communities and examines how the State administered Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) network implements strategies to address the issue. The food security research is based on Healthy Food, Healthy Communities, a study by PolicyLink. Information on Community Action Agency projects comes from statistical data gathered by NASCSP.

NCAF's David Bradley Testifies before Congress

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

NCAF was selected to testify before the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee on behalf of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). This was a unique opportunity to highlight the successes of Community Action Agencies. Read the full .

I’m on food stamps. Don’t hate me for it.

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

“I am on food stamps. This will surprise almost everyone who knows me. I have hidden it from friends, from family, from classmates. I use self-checkout at the grocery store so I don’t have to face judgment from the cashiers. I read countless posts on Facebook and receive political emails telling me that being on food stamps makes me a degenerate, someone who is dependant and useless. I hear about how I should be kicked off of food stamps so I won’t be so lazy and will get a job. At the time the economy crashed, I was studying to be a chiropractor. My (now ex-) husband was laid off from his good job. It took him over a year and a half to find a new job. During that time we lost our house and had to declare bankruptcy. Our marriage fell apart.….I’m not writing this to ask for support. I am so blessed to be able to make ends meet and continue my education. I am writing this because I’m tired of the hate. I’m tired of being embarrassed. And I’m tired of the ignorance. Unless you’ve lost everything, you cannot possibly understand what drives someone to accept food stamps. How hard it was for them. How they cried when they submitted the application. How they are made to feel ashamed for accepting help. You are entitled to your opinion. I respect that. But please consider my story the next time you are tempted to post or email hateful jokes; the next time you discuss with a friend how everyone on food stamps is taking advantage of the system. I never imagined this would be my story. I was an A student, top of my class. I went to college, got a job and continued my education toward a post-graduate degree. I did everything I was supposed to do to have the bright, amazing future I was promised by my teachers in school. Life doesn’t always turn out the way it does in storybooks.” Excerpted from “‘I’m on food stamps. Don’t hate me for it.’” by Vicki Jones, Chicago Sun-Times, March 19, 2012.

Farewell Message from Jean Diggs, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Dear Weatherization Colleague,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this message to say so long for now. On the one hand, after 41 years and five months, it is time for me to move on and in my head I know this. But on the other hand, in my heart, I sincerely wish I could stay on with you to fight the good Weatherization fight for as long as it takes. You are truly some of the most compassionate, committed professionals with whom I have had the distinct privilege and deep personal honor of working with for the last 34 plus years! Whether I have known you for a short time or for many, many years, I continue to be amazed at just how great you are and at all the wonderful activities you perform.

I know that on a daily basis you give much more of yourselves and your talents than we could ever repay. I could recite many stories of your giving back to your fellow citizens. Stories of how Grantees go above and beyond the call of duty to provide whatever was needed to allow subgrantees to perform the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures possible. Stories of how some of the crews often share their lunches with those less fortunate. Stories of how crew members give of their time on week-ends and other days off to help those in need. And many other stories of your going above and beyond to serve our Country’s most vulnerable. You have inspired me over the years to do all that I can, as well.

I know I have been blessed to have a career doing something I believe in so deeply and working with folks I trust and hold in such high regard. You are all very special to me and I have truly enjoyed a good working relationship and indeed, friendship, with you over the years. And I must say, there is no one else with whom I would want to be in the trenches than all of you!

Please accept my thanks and gratitude for 34 plus years of working among some of the most dedicated professionals in the world.

Please take good care of this program and each other. Always remember, if you don’t, who will? I wish each of you a very happy, healthy holiday season and continued success in making Weatherization Work!

All My Best,

Jean

Message to Weatherization Providers

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Dear ARRA Weatherization Assistance Program providers,

I wanted you to know that TDHCA is so proud of what you have accomplished through the ARRA Weatherization Assistance Program. To date, the network has weatherized more than 50,000 homes of low-income Texans. Incredible work! We also realize that even though it will mean some significant personal sacrifices over the holiday season, we hope you will maintain your incredibly focused efforts, doing everything within your power to achieve the full, timely, and proper use of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What you accomplish over these last few months of ARRA will be a happy holiday reminder for years to come as low-income families enjoy the benefits of weatherized homes, reduced utility costs, and enhanced health and safety. Your efforts will be an enduring testimonial to the spirit of giving. Thank you very much.

On Behalf of TDHCA,

Tim Irvine, Executive Director

Texas Report on CSBG ARRA Projects

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Check out TACAA’s latest on the Community Services Block Grant projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act!

FY 2010 Community Services Block Grant Annual Report

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) has published the FY 2010 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Annual Report, as well as FY10 CSBG Highlights and State Fact Sheets.

Quiz: Poverty in America

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Half in Ten is a campaign to cut poverty in half in ten years. They posted a 15-question quiz about poverty in America. The facts just may surprise you… take the quiz and let us know how you did in the comments. What surprised you the most? Do you think most Americans are aware of these facts?

Boerne Benefits from Venison

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Did you know that 62 percent of Central Texas food assistance providers need more sources of protein to serve their clients, according to Feeding America’s Hunger in America 2010 report?

Hill Country Family Services in Boerne, Texas, is one of those food assistance providers. Kelly Spangler coordinates the food pantry there, and he wrote to us about the impact of a recent Hunters for the Hungry donation:

“When that gentleman pulled up with a truck loaded with almost 800 pounds of venison I was just overcome… because this month when we went for our monthly trip to the Food Bank in San Antonio for our clients, there was no meat or cheese available to us… I was trying to figure out how we were going to make it through the last two months for our clients without any meat to give to them… We were facing some bleak times.”

Mr. Spangler reminds us of the importance of a healthy source of protein for those in need, and the need is never more pressing than during the holidays. TACAA thanks everyone who has donated to or otherwise supported Hunters for the Hungry and the mission to alleviate hunger in Texas.

Welcome to Our New Website

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to TACAA’s new and improved website! We’ve re-organized and simplified our site to better serve you and we’ve also added new features, like this blog.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore the new site layout as well as some of the improved features. For example, the services map allows quick searches for community services, utility assistance providers, and weatherization providers. Likewise, the participating meat processors map has been streamlined to be more user-friendly.

Enjoy!