Archives for Community Involvement

On June 24, 2011, five Horry County Waccamaw Occupational Work-readiness (WOW) Program student-participants attended a culinary arts lecture and hands-on workshop facilitated by Ms. Esther Strickland, owner of a local retail store, who has volunteered her time and culinary talent for the community’s needy and disabled for the past 40 years. Following her lead, in a kitchen provided by a local church, the students were able to create meals that they took to 13 elderly and disabled senior citizens in the community. One of the students expressed how much she enjoyed learning to cook and creating “easy” meals. Another stated
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On June 4, 2011, the KRAchievers team from the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) Program participated in the Relay for Life 2011 Walk for a Cure at Harbor Park. Since 2006, the KRAchievers have found this annual event to be both motivating and humbling for the staff. To date, the team has raised more than $400, and they’re not finished yet, having until August 31, 2011, to sponsor and/or participate in more events to raise money for the American Cancer Society campaign. At the KRAchievers’ booth an “Ol Skool” theme permeated the fun activities: selling Mary Janes, Now
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For the past couple of months, KRA Youth Services Program (YSP) staff and students have been decorating and distributing Cornhole* game boards for Senior Citizens Centers (SCC) in KRA’s seven- county Kentucky service area. Local craftsmen constructed the game boards and the KRA/YSP crew decorated each set of game boards with their own designs. So far, KRA has presented the game boards to the SCCs in Adair, Clinton, and Pulaski County, with Casey, McCreary, Taylor and Wayne receiving their game boards throughout June and July.  Attendance at one presentation or another has included representatives from the offices of the County Judge Executive, the
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KRA’s Camden, New Jersey, office participated in a “Blue Jeans Friday” fundraiser on behalf of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (Coalition or NJCASA). Staff members were permitted to wear jeans to work if they made contributions, which totaled $105.00, to support the work of the Coalition. Also, staff posted flyers in the office and conducted two awareness workshops…which included NJCASA information, literature, and buttons…for KRA clients. The workshops focused on what constitutes “sexual assault” and where to go for assistance if they, or others they know, have been victimized. KRA is proud to support the NJCASA and the critical resources
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On April 1, 2011, KRA/VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare) program staff attended the “Garden of Hope Gala”, an urban community outreach program sponsored by Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church.  The keynoter was the esteemed Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, who spoke about how important it is for communities to have an array of services, programs, and resources…like KRA/VIEW…available to families and individuals who may be experiencing social, emotional, and economic problems. Dr. Kunjufu, a nationally recognized author, educator, lecturer, and publisher, has been a guest speaker at most universities throughout the U.S., as well as a consultant to a number
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On Thursday evening, March 10, 2011, Adair County Elementary School children attended a very special event that encourages young children to read for fun… the Read-Across-Adair-County Dr. Seuss Celebration.  As part of the Cat-In-The-Hat Celebration, Adair County Schools has hosted this event for more than 10 years, and for half that time KRA Youth Services Program staff and students have volunteered to make the celebration even more fun. This year, they gave “life” to many of the characters from children’s books and movies.  Shrek (Donna Grant, Career Counselor) and Fiona (KRA student); the Mario Brothers (KRA students); Toy Story’s Woody and Jessie
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On March 29, 30, and 31, 2011, KRA Career Agent, Pat Davis, and five Georgetown Out-of-School Program participants volunteered at Friendship Place by preparing beverages, serving lunch, and assisting visitors with seating and other courtesy services. Friendship Place staff and volunteers work tirelessly to meet the needs of the economically disadvantaged population in the community. Since 2000, the organization has fulfilled its mission “to provide a hand-up for people to meet their basic needs” by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, assisting the unemployed and under-employed with job training, and providing transportation to free medical clinics. Through donations and other financial support,
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Elsa Huertas, WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Career Agent at the KRA/CTWorks Adult Education Center (AEC) site has started what she calls the “Interview Closet”.  Here’s how it works: she has asked contributors…including  AEC and KRA staff and community residents…to search their closets for suitable business clothing they no longer want.  In addition to traditional items such as suits,  blouses/shirts, dresses, jackets, pants/slacks, and skirts, the Interview Closet also accepts shoes, jewelry, and other accessory items such as scarves and ties. According to individual need, Huertas distributes the items to program participants to assist them in presenting a more professional image
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On January 12, 2011, Employment Specialists from KRA’s Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare program were among approximately 500 volunteers for Norfolk’s “Project Homeless Connect” held at the Norfolk Scope Exhibition Hall.  Staff assisted with serving hot meals to more than 550 homeless men and women, as well as escorting attendees to the proper locations within the Hall for free medical and eye exams; help in obtaining ID cards, legal assistance, and food stamps; and information on other services including clothing, health and hygiene, and housing. Norfolk’s Office to End Homelessness, sponsor of the semi-annual event,  is committed to developing workable implementation strategies that will end homelessness
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