Community Action Newsletter APRIL 2020 EDITION

Our mission:

To provide services, with dignity and respect, that help people become self-sufficient

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Our website, www.caoginc.org, has various links for employees under “Staff Resources” including: *NEW* Board Correspondence to Staff, Links to ADP, the agency newsletter,

training resources, employee handbook, forms (direct deposit, mileage, and tax) and other beneficial information.

MAY NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE:

FRI, APRIL 24TH

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS TO:

newsletter@caoginc.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Employee news

page 2

News from Bonnie

page 3

News from Annette

page 4

News from Donna

page 4

Library computer class info

page 4

US Census info

page 4

Agency social media info

page 5

ACT news

page 5

AGENCY UPDATE FROM THE DIRECTORS:

The staff Directors (Annette Finch, Donna Wojdat and Bonnie Malakie) and Melinda Cotter,

Administrative Assistant, have been meeting weekly with Ronnie Barhite, Board Chair, and Bruce

Schmidt, Vice Chair to coordinate and plan for agency direction during Ed’s absence and the

Coronavirus! First, we want to thank the Board (especially Ronnie and Bruce) for their guidance,

direction and support! They are all volunteers, and during this time have continued to work

tirelessly to be sure all staff are receiving consistent communications and information! Secondly,

we say THANK YOU ALL STAFF for your dedication, commitment and caring for our customers

through this unusual time!!

Essential staff (some CATs Drivers, Emergency Services Staff, fiscal and Directors, and as necessary

a few Supervisors) have been working on site for limited hours. Many other staff are working

remotely to serve children, seniors, families, childcare providers and other customers who need

our assistance. We know that you have your children, families and self to take care of but you are

also dedicated to the mission of Community Action!

Ed indicates that he is getting a bit stronger each day. Until he can return, we are here, working

together to keep the agency operating and the programs running so we can fulfill the agency

mission: To provide services with dignity and respect that help people become self-sufficient!

Be well and stay safe,

Annette, Bonnie and Donna

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR THIS MONTH:

Updates regarding agency and program operations during the Coronavirus

(COVID-19) will be provided by supervisors and posted on the agency website

(under Staff Resources). General information for all will be included on the

Home page of the website. Please be on the lookout for these updates as they

will contain information that can be updated frequently.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE (February)

ANNIVERSARIES (April) Joseph Wright 04/13/2009

Donna Caton 04/25/2011

William Francis 04/26/2017

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*Birthday listing in the newsletter is OPTIONAL. If you do NOT want

yours included, send an email to: alester@caoginc.org by the deadline

listed on the front page of this newsletter noting this.

Edna Schramm April 4th

Ken Pritt April 6th

Cathy Brien April 12th

Melinda Swan April 14th

Barb Miller April 17th

Guy Burke April 21st

Jeff Atwell April 24th

Ann Marie Smith April 30th

Do you have news you want to share? Email: newsletter@caoginc.org

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Steve Adams Nancy Eastlack Annette Nagel

Jeff Atwell Gary Elich Craig Platter

Theresa Brien Helen Engelhardt Shelcy Plueckhahn

Virgie Brooks Jim Fiegel David Reis

Guy Burke Michele George Debbie Renner

Kelly Cassady Stacie Graton Mary Beth Robinson

Donna Caton Dawn Gray Christine Schuster

Anne Clark Kristen Hale Tami Slingerland

Sheila Colf Courtney Henderson AnnMarie Smith

Brenda Cook Mike Jessmer Alisha Talbot

Stephen Cox Barb Kiefer Terri Taylor

Simone Davis Patricia Kingston Donna Wojdat

Christina DeBoard Teri Lester Heidi Wyant

Kaitlyn Dodge Paul Martin Mary Yockel

Nakita Doxey Barb Miller

Hi all! My name is Paige Miller, I’m interning at

Community Action through GCC. I graduated

from Alexander last year and I’m currently in

my second semester, working to get my

degree in Human Services. I look forward to

the opportunity to work alongside you all for

my time here. Also, thank you in advance for

the learning experience you have provided me with.

E m p l o y e e n e w s . . .

NEW HIRE (March) Annette Piano March 4th MSS Substitute Classroom Instructor

The agency had a goodbye gathering for Carly

to thank her for her time and her contributions

as a director with our agency. She is continuing

with the agency for a short time as a consultant

to complete necessary reports on an interim

basis. Thank you Carly for this and best wishes

in your pursuit of a new career path!

Twins were born to Ashley Pahura (EHS teacher in Medina) and Joshua

McGuire on February 26th. They are pictured below with big sister Charlie.

Hello...

Joshua Donald McGuire Jr. 5 pounds 13 ounces

8:43 AM

Ryleigh Lane McGuire 5 pounds 10 ounces

8:45 am

Congratulations to Ashley and her family!

... and goodbye

News from the Directors... Annette Finch, Director of Community Services

Bonnie Malakie, Director of Children and Youth Services

Donna Wojdat, Director of Finance and Administration

News from Bonnie:

Kendall lessons Landyn writing at home Batavia supplies

Taryn Moyle and staff from CCR&R have been working hard along with Katrina Chaffee and EHSCCP staff to work with the day care

providers in our counties during this crisis. Most of the day cares have seen a tremendous drop in people sending their children

(both because parents are home and because they don’t want the children exposed). Most day cares in our area are having

difficulty financially due to minimum wage and some have temporarily had to close due to not having the money to keep operating

because of absences. We are doing what we can to assist those that have closed temporarily and those that are remaining open

for children of essential staff. If you know someone that needs childcare please refer them to Taryn and have them call her at

585-589-5088 or 315-729-8396. She is aware of which sites are operating and has vacancies, and can she help parents with how

to access reliable care!

Personal thoughts from Bonnie:

This is certainly a new experience for all of us! It is both unsettling and uncomfortable. However, this is also a chance for everyone

to slow down a bit, see the beauty of the spring season, appreciate others in our life (either because we are with them more, or

because we miss them due to being apart). I encourage all of us to take time and reflect on the past, BE in the present, and plan for

the future. We can stay in touch with others in new and different ways.

I am grateful for: living in small, rural New York; working for Community Action which helps our customers and also our staff;

family, friends, work family and church family (all who are keeping in touch and staying connected); all of the people who are

working tirelessly to care for others during this difficult time.

I am thankful for: My husband and the time to slow down and be with him and my Angel girl (our dog child); my health (and still

being able to work and learn new things as a “senior citizen”); my faith (without it I would be lost); my relationships with others

(including Community Action staff) who have such a huge impact on my life.

I am looking forward to: Life after Coronavirus; trying to keep the “new habits” from this time period (slower pace, more aware

of gratitude, spending more time outdoors); seeing how this time period can be used in a positive way, despite the losses and

hardships; being with all of you again!

I encourage you to look for the good in each day, stay strong and be safe! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily!

Attention Head Start/Early Head Start employees: There will be NO SPRING BREAK! As you know the program was scheduled to be closed from April 6 until April 20. At that time staff would have been scheduled to take vacation time and/or file for unemployment. However, these are not “normal” times. Starting yesterday, we fully implemented our plan for working with children, families and each other until further notice. Therefore, we will continue during the time period that would have been spring break to contact families, provide materials for at home learning, conduct our staff development and continue to follow directives of our government officials, including the Office of Head Start. You will also continue to be paid for your scheduled time.

The Head Start and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Leadership and staff have been busy assuring that children and families

have what they need while they are home during the Coronavirus. Every child/parent has received at-home, developmentally

appropriate activities to continue their learning at home in many areas. The parents have received help and assistance with how to

work with their child. Every family is receiving weekly calls from Education staff and Family Advocates. Thank you staff for making

this happen and delivering services during this time!

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HOLLEY: Community Center in Holley remains open to serve Grab & Go meals everyday at 11:30 as well as emergency food boxes (9a-12p)

CATS is still operating performing needed trips but on a limited basis

ALBION: Main Office Emergency Services is open every day. Food Pantry is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8a – 11a (limited days/hours availability until further notice)

BATAVIA: Emergency services and food bundles, Mon-Fri Noon-4p

Main Street Thrift Store is temporarily closed.

Watch Facebook for updates: Maintreetthiftstore.albion The Ebay store is still open: Communityactionstore

Maintenance is available on a need to work basis

News from Annette:

News from Donna:

Upon the recommendation of New York public health officials, local libraries

are temporarily closed until further notice to minimize public interactions and

the spread of the Coronavirus.

Please check the library websites for updated info:

Albion: www.hoaglibrary.org

Medina: www.leewhedon.org

Batavia (Richmond Memorial Library): www.batavialibrary.org

COMPUTER

CLASSES

CANCELLED

April 1: Census Day

is observed

nationwide.

New Yorkers' fair share of federal funds for programs essential to :

health care

education

housing

economic development

transportation

our congressional representation in Washington

all depend on an accurate and fully-counted census response.

By this date, every home will receive a notice to submit your information for the 2020

Census. You can respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by

mail. When you respond to the census, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as

of April 1, 2020.

New York counts on you.

Fill it out for your future

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