Lacey made some bad choices in the past that have made it difficult for her to find good employment. In fact, she considered leaving the workforce all together and trying to get disability benefits. Although she loved working with people, she felt that she would never be employed. Disability seemed to be her best option.
Then Lacey found the Career Advancement Training (CAT) program at Lincoln Action Program. Shortly after graduating from the six-week program, Lacey secured a good job with an employer that provides her the opportunity to use her strengths and provides health care benefits.
Lacey credits her success to the CAT program, which she believes "made the difference" in getting her job. Lacey uses the skills she learned from the program to deal with issues such as getting along with co-workers, making better use of her time, showing up early and dressing more professionally. She uses the skills learned in CAT many times a day, each and every day.
Lacey is nearing the six-month mark for employment and is doing very well. Program staff remain in contact with her and provide follow-ups and support as needed to ensure her continued employment success.
Lincoln Action Program works with people like Lacey every day - individuals and families who are struggling to overcome the challenges of inadequate job skills, housing, and health care and the lack of knowledge and support to change their lives. We provide tools, resources and support to help people not just survive poverty but overcome it.
We provide education and job-skills training that help individuals increase their employment income. We create jobs in the community and help people purchase their own homes and small businesses.
We work with parents of young children to provide educational opportunities and health and nutrition screenings and to connect families with community resources.
We work with residents and community leaders to revitalize the homes and public spaces of our city's neighborhoods.
We know that poverty does not just affect those who are living in it: Poverty affects the entire community. We have joined forces with other community action agencies across the United States in a nationwide campaign to significantly reduce poverty. The campaign, "Rooting Out Poverty: A Campaign by America's Community Action Network," is a call for action to promote economic security for all Americans, especially those who are poor.
"Rooting Out Poverty" offers five action themes and more than 24 recommendations and strategies to help children, families, senior citizen, and other individuals who are vulnerable to poverty, economic deprivation and other significant barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
The five action themes for rooting out poverty at the community, state and national levels are:
- Maximize participation: Maximum feasible participation of those who are seeking economic self-sufficiency.
- Build an economy that works for everyone: An economy that provides a wide range of jobs and addresses financial and economic conditions of all residents.
- Invest in the future: Provide the training now to develop the knowledge and skills that today's children and workers will need for the jobs and industries of tomorrow.
- Maximize equality of opportunity: Facilitate access to key opportunities for personal and professional growth and advancement.
- Ensure healthy people and places: Ensure access to adequate health care and homes that are weatherized to prevent high heating and cooling costs.
"Rooting Out Poverty" offers solutions and strategies for promoting quality child care, employment and training opportunities, especially for those like Lacey who lack basic skills; responsible health, energy, and conservation policies; assistance to the elderly and otherwise vulnerable people; and more.
We know that we cannot do this work alone. Lincoln Action Program and its more than 20 programs work in partnership with government agencies, health and human service organizations, educational organizations, business, the media, individuals, donors, financial supporters, volunteers and many others to provide the needed services to those living in poverty.
We must collectively collaborate and partner on poverty fighting actions to root out and eliminate poverty in our community.
Each of us has a role in rooting out poverty and in community action. I challenge you to think about and identify what role you might play in "Rooting Out Poverty." Once you have identified your role, take action and make a difference in our community and in the lives of Lincoln's low-income residents.
If you would like to know how you can help Lincoln Action Program and our work with individuals and families living in poverty, please e-mail us at lincoln-action@lincoln-action.org. Our staff is willing to help you take action in "Rooting Out Poverty."
To read the full Rooting Out Poverty report or to learn more about Lincoln Action Program, visit our Web site at www.lincoln-action.org.
SUE HINRICHS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LINCOLN ACTION PROGRAM.
