Serving Knox County
since 1945
Galesburg, IL

Carver reunion & homecoming JUNE 30TH- JULY 2ND
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Community Service Block Grant

The Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) is the core source of federal funding for Community Action Agencies. It was created in 1981 under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Local anti-poverty agencies utilized CSBG dollars in a wide variety of ways. They provide not only for the assurance that basic human needs are met, but they offer local CSBG grantees with a flexible source of revenue which can be used to fill in the gaps of the costs to implement anti-poverty programs. CSBG funds have allowed individual CAA’s to function as a laboratory, experimenting in new and alternative approaches to solve the problems faced by people with low income.

CSBG allows local agencies to mobilize resources and to develop a multifaceted approach to providing assistance and to “help people help themselves”. In addition to funding shelter for the homeless, CAA’s help to obtain day care and job training as well as giving moral support which so often makes the difference between a “hand out” and a “hand up”.

Local uses of the programs funded by CSBG dollars include seven major areas of activity: Emergency Services, Nutrition, Employment, Education, Income Management, Linkages & Coordination and Housing.

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is designed to help low income residents save fuel and money while increasing the comfort of their homes. This program is administered by the Stare of Illinois. Weatherization services are provided by local community action or not-for -profit agencies throughout the state.

The John W. Maitland Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help eligible low income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP will provide onetime benefits to eligible households to be used for energy bills.
You may be eligible to receive assistance under LIHEAP if your household’s combined income is at or below 150% of the Federal poverty guidelines. If you rent and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, then your rent must be greater than 30% of your income in order to be eligible to receive benefits.

Emergency food and shelter program for the homeless

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is the agency authorized by law to administer the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for the Homeless. The goal of this program is to prevent injury, illness and loss of life by providing decent and secure shelter.

CCAA provides services in he form of temporary shelter in a local motel, meals, first month’s rent, utility deposits, transportation, supplies/shelter, one-on-one job and personal counseling, job search assistance, grooming, hygiene, interviewing techniques, resumes, etc.. CCAA has been providing these services since July 1, 1988.

Housing

CCAA’s Housing program was created to meet the need for affordable housing in Knox County. A key component of the Housing Program was the creation and development of the Community Reinvestment Act Committee. This committee comprised of local and financial institutions, JTPA, Knox County Board of Realtors, and the City of Galesburg, set goals of meeting the immediate and long term housing needs of Knox County citizens. Initially, the committee raised funds to secure a six unit transitional shelter for CCAA. The second phase of the committee’s work involves the establishment of an Education Program designed to assist low income ownership for low income families. That is the prime motivating factor for the CCAA housing Program. Our mission for this program is basic, but complex indeed. We intend to acquire, rehabilitate, create and market housing for rent and ownership to low income and moderate income families.

Continuum of Care

Carver Community Action Agency in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Continuum of /Care, has received a HUD Continuum of Care Transitional Housing Grant to provide shelter and support services to Knox County Homeless Veterans and members of the recovering community. This transitional housing program operates in conjunction with two partner-community action agencies, Project Now Rock Island, Illinois and Tri-County Opportunities Council Rock Falls, Illinois. Together the three community action agencies of the Northwestern Illinois Continuum of Care, will provide thirty units of shelter.

The primary goals of the Continuum of Care projects is to provide shelter and services which will eventually assist the homeless and individual families become self reliable.

The Homeless Prevention Program

The purpose of the homeless prevention program is to provide financial and related supportive searches to keep families and individuals from becoming homeless. The program is administered by the Illinois Dept. of Human Services.

Locally, Carver Community Action Agency operates and offers this program to the citizens of Knox County, IL. This funding comes from the Illinois General Revenue Fund (the tax check off on the Illinois State Income Tax form. Homeless Programs), and the Federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program.

The program provides once in a lifetime financial assistance for rent arrearages, 1st months rent, security deposits and utility arearges. The household must be facing an economic crisis, (job loss, natural disaster, medical emergency, loss of public assistance, etc.) which could result in he family/individual becoming homeless. The household must be able to verify that they can meet housing/living costs, thereafter, before assistance can be given. There are more details to this program and this information here is for basic information only. Contact the agency for complete details.

Summer, Food and Recreation Program

This is a six week program offered in the summer months for approximately 200 youth, ages four through eighteen. children are served nutritious breakfast and lunch free of charge. They swim, bowl, skate, golf, fish, attend the public library and are taken on field trips. With the assistance of the University of Illinois, nutrition education and craft classes are provided. Transportation is provided.

Recreation Programs

Tutoring Program: Carver has volunteers who provide individualized tutoring in all subject areas for all citizens. In our effort to meet the growing need for computer literacy, CCAA has added a computer lab to the tutoring program. The program will be geared toward offering individualized attention to participants and to expand the scope of our tutoring.


Saturday Elementary Program: Youth ages five through twelve are provided activities which include ceramics, painting and other arts and crafts. A morning snack and lunch are provided. Our goal is to teach the youth to be creative, attentive and respectful.


Social and Physical Fitness: This program serves the older youth (Jr. and Sr. High Schools). Their activities consist of basketball leagues, volleyball teams and other floor games. Table games are available for those students not interested in sports. Our teen council plays an active role in planning and coordinating activities such as dances, parties, and cook outs.

Basketball Leagues: Carver C.A.A. offers an organized basketball league for girls and boys. Games are played throughout the west central Illinois region.; Practices and home games are held at the agency's Community Center at 424 Depot st. in Galesburg. The number of teams is determined by the number of participants Program coaches strive to instill in each of the participants good sportsmanship, individual goal setting for skills development, self respect, respect for others and being good students. This program is one of the finest recreational programs the agency has offered since its inception.