Community Action Angels
Statewide Project Plan 2010

Contact:
John A. Naporkowski
Fund Development Coordinator
Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc.
Phone: (914) 592 - 5600 x 190

Community Action Angels is a membership that consists of twenty-one volunteer/resource development programs operating in Community Action Agencies covering twenty-five counties throughout New York State.  The membership activities are administered by Wyoming County Community Action, Inc.  The program was founded by a one- time recipient of agency services in Wyoming County and was gifted in 2003 for the exclusive use by Community Action agencies.  Individual programs are coordinated by agency staff and managed by an Advisory Board made up of dedicated community members representative of villages, towns and cities throughout the agency’s service area.

Through community engagement we provide assistance to individuals and families who would otherwise fall through the cracks.  This assistance is in the form of medicines and other medical needs, housing, furniture and household goods, food, school supplies, employment training, clothing for work, and transportation and any other support necessary to keep a family healthy, productive and self -sufficient.

Since the inception, Community Action Angel volunteers have distributed over seven million dollars in donations of goods and services to families during normal times and during times of disaster; over 80,000 individuals in New York State have been touched by angels.

Mission
Community Action Angel volunteers are dedicated to assisting Community Action  by bringing resources from the community so that all people who walk through our doors seeking help walk out with greater opportunity.

Membership Goal
To work together by coordinating our activities and sharing our knowledge so that volunteer work in Community Action Agencies is organized, recognized and leaves a significant and positive impact on our community, our agency, and the people we serve.

Philosophy
We will help everyone who asks for our help to the best of our ability.  We will encourage those we help to also help others to the best of their ability.

Our Focus
To help individuals and families whose employment income disqualifies them from receiving help through the normal human services system with special emphasis on the needs of children when current programs fall short or where there is simply no place for them to turn for help.

Our Agreement
100% of money raised by volunteers will be used to help individuals and families in our community.  Help will be provided based only on the need and our ability to help.

2010 Statewide Project
Everybody’s Baby….Shower
‘Helping Those Too Little To Ask’

PURPOSE:  Promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers by supplying basic infant needs, supporting families, creating more community awareness of childhood poverty, and to open the door to providing educational materials relevant to infant and toddler health and safety to parents of infants and toddlers accessing our agency programs.

REASON:

• 44% of infants and toddlers live in low -income families (200 % of poverty) while 22% live in poor households (100 % of poverty). There continues to be a steep, upward trend due to the current economy.

 (National Center for Children in Poverty Report-11/09)

• Living in poverty or near poverty is a major risk factor for neglect that results in poor child development outcomes.

GOAL:    Our goal is to collect 100,000 items to provide much needed help to infants and   
                toddlers living in New York State whose health and safety are at risk due to the
                current economy.

PLAN:  Encourage the donation of infant and toddler basic needs items through the coordination of community baby showers, private donations, and a major corporate partnership.

PROJECT SPONSOR:  Community Action Angels

PROJECT COORDINATORS:  NYS Membership Coordinator, Community Action Angels Coordinators and their Advisory Board’s “Everybody’s Baby Shower” Committee Chairperson.

PROJECT PARTNERS:  Project Coordinators will identify partners within their own district who will provide support to the Project Coordinator in the form of volunteer time and help in securing in-kind and cash donations relevant to the project.

POTENTIAL PROJECT PARTNERS:

• Civic, Social, and Faith-Based Groups
• Corporations
• Schools
• Human Service agencies with similar missions
• Charitable Organizations (ex. United Way)
• Private Individuals
• NYS Associations and Agencies

SUGGESTED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS PROVIDED ON RECEIPT OF BABY SHOWER GIFTS:

• Infant and Toddler Nutrition
• Early Childhood Development
• Safe Sleep Practices
• Infant and Toddler Health and Safety
• Lead Poisoning
• Childcare Information and Referral
• Agency Brochures
• “Easy Tips for Hard Times”

SUGGESTED PROJECT REQUESTS:

• Disposable Diapers (all sizes)
• Wipes
• Diaper Rash Ointment
• Formula
• Infant Cereals
• Onesies©
• Sleepers
• Receiving Blanket
• Regular Blanket
• Infant Bath Tub
• Swaddle Sleeper
• Cold Weather Sleeper
• Clothing up to size 3
• Tearless Shampoo
• Teething Ring
• Baby Powder
• Baby Brush & Comb
• Digital Thermometer
• Baby Bottle, Sippy Cup
• Pacifier
• Diaper Bag
• Cabinet locks
• Socket plugs
• Diaper Changing Pad
• Book on Successful Parenting
• Sweater and Hat
• Crib Sheet
• Donation to help with the purchase of infant car seat, monitor, crib, or other larger items needed for the safety of infants.
• We also accept “clean, gently used” infant clothing and safety approved baby equipment. *At your own discretion

ADDITIONAL FACTS AND INFORMATION TO SHARE

• One person….one purchase….. can make a difference in the life of a child.
• 44% of children under the age of three are living in families that are so poor that normal health and growth are at risk.
• Infants and toddlers raised in a family experiencing a serious lack of money for basic needs in the first year were reported as presenting acute health problems, a growth delay, two or more health problems, and required more hospitalizations compared to babies living in families not experiencing a lack of money.
• “Formula or electric…. diapers or heat”… hard decisions are being made in many households and this can result in unintended harm to infants and toddlers.
• Demographics:
• 36% of infants and toddlers in suburban areas live in low -income families.
• 50% of infants and toddlers in urban areas live in low- income families.
• 53% of infants and toddlers in rural areas live in low-income families.
• The first weeks, months, and years of every child’s life lay the foundation for success in school.
• For families with children in daycare, 8-10 disposable diapers must be provided daily.  The vast majority of licensed day care centers do not accept cloth diapers.  If they cannot do this…..they cannot work or attend school or job training.  This leads to increased economic instability and a continuation of the cycle of poverty.
• In poor and low-income families, a baby can spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to potential health and abuse risks.  Some attempt to wash and reuse disposable diapers and this is unhealthy and unsanitary.
• Many low-income families do not own a washer and dryer.  Laundromats do not allow you to wash cloth diapers due to public health regulations.
• Safety net programs such SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program} and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers and are meant to only supplement infant and children’s food needs.
• More and more working parents are leaving the hospital with their baby wondering how they will provide food, clothing, or a safe place for them to sleep.
• Unhappy, uncomfortable, or hungry babies are crying babies.  Crying babies are more likely to be abused by an already stressed out caregiver.

Sponsorship Opportunity
2010 STATEWIDE INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
“EVERYBODY’S BABY SHOWER” Helping Those Too Little To Ask

Each year the members of New York State Community Action Angels meet in Syracuse to discuss upcoming needs, best practices, and new projects and ideas to help those families who fall through the cracks in our current human service system.   At this event we announce our annual statewide initiative focused on helping children throughout the state of New York
Our project, for this year was announced to the entire membership on May 3rd, 2010 in Syracuse, New York during our annual meeting held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Suites.  It is entitled “Everybody’s Baby Shower”.  A coordinated statewide media release to the public will take place during the last week in May.
Project Goals:

• To provide infants and toddlers with the items needed to increase their health and well being during a time in our history when more families than ever are unable to provide for them.
• To provide the working poor parents with enough diapers and wipes so they can   access to childcare while working.  8-10 disposable diapers are needed daily and if a parent cannot supply them they are unable to leave their child and cannot work.
• To give young children the foundation they need to learn.  Recent poverty reports say that all children between the ages of birth to five years old who experience the stress of this recession will have difficulty learning before and during their schools years.
• To provide adequate nutrition to the youngest in families who often are neglected because they are unable to express their needs.
• To remind people that even the little ones suffer during hard times and if everyone gives a little we can accomplish a lot.

Corporate Exposure

• Your sponsorship will secure on-going exposure and good-will throughout New York State and nationally to a wide range of groups including but not limited to:
• NYS, Dept. of State, Division of Community Services
• New York State Community Action Association  (52 New York State Community Action Agencies)
• Community Action Angels Membership and volunteers
• New York State Family Development Association
• National Community Action Partnership (1100 Community Action Agencies)
• WNY Episcopal Community Services
• Members of the general public statewide via  public relations coverage
• Your sponsorship will bring exposure and good will across the following formats of media and promotional materials:
• All posters and baby shower materials throughout NYS
• TV, Radio, and Newspaper 
• NYS Community Action Association Newsletter
• NYS Community Action Angels Website
• Name in all statewide communications, press releases, newsletter articles, magazine articles that cover the Community Action Membership initiatives.
• Name mention in national Community Action magazine, “ The Promise”

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• Community Action Angels is sponsoring a minimum of two diversity trainings provided by professional trainers from the Department of State.  Counties involved include Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.  Space will be provided to set up a table and for five sponsor employees to take part in the training.  The training will focus on diversity in the workplace and would be a valuable to sponsor employees who work with a diverse population.
• Invaluable goodwill throughout New York State and beyond.

Sponsorship secures exposure and benefits as identified above.  If you have additional requests or requirements these can also be discussed.

Sponsorship Request
Collection of baby shower articles in your New York State stores that will in turn be donated to the Community Action network for distribution to low income families.
Timeline

An extensive promotional and marketing plan is associated with our statewide initiative announcement. Advertising, press releases and materials have greater results when exposure time is sufficient.   At the same time we understand that proposals of this scope take time to address.  If there is anything we can do to help you in the decision making process please let us know. 

Thank you for your time and your consideration of this request.  If you require additional information please let us know.  Have a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!