Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties

Housing, housing rehabilitation and homeless shelter -Community Action's housing activities are diverse and broad based. They include a transitional living program serving the homeless or those at imminent risk of homelessness, neighborhood revitalization efforts, homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention counseling/assistance and the ongoing operation of an emergency shelter. During 2022, Community Action efforts allowed 4,986 households to obtain or maintain stable housing, and we assisted 160 homeless individuals with emergency shelter services.

Food programs - cai coordinates the emergency food assistance program for both Rock and Walworth Counties. In 2022, cai provided 3.5 million pounds of food to 16 pantries and 2 meal sites.

Weatherization/energy assistance programcommunity Action, Inc. of Rock & Walworth Counties (cai) weatherization program installs energy-saving improvements that help low income homeowners, renters, and landlords who rent to low-income persons reduce their energy costs. Traditional weatherization funds in 2022 were supplemented by funds from energy assistance, public benefits and federal department of energy. The result was a total of 75 units weatherized during calendar year 2022.

Employment training-cai continued to focus core organizational efforts on building employment programs in order to assist individuals in moving out of poverty through work. Key programs included the fatherhood initiative (38 individuals in 2022), fresh start (80 individuals in 2022), and transitional jobs (64 individuals in 2022). Significant efforts were focused on employment placement and on working with employers and partners to add hard skills training opportunities for program participants.

Child programs -merrill Community center provides after school and summer programming for youth ages 6 -13 residing in the beloit area with a focus on merrill/hackett neighborhoods. The afterschool program includes educational homework assistance and tutoring in order to support academic success. These academic efforts are enhanced with character education programming designed to promote self-esteem, respect for peers, promote heathy choices to avoid risky behaviors and provide education to prevent bullying.

Other program services