May is a pretty special month for CANI, as it is officially
National Community Action month. During this month we spend a little extra time
and effort as a national network raising awareness about poverty, the issues
low-income families face, and the work that Community Action Agencies do in
their communities to combat these issues.
Awareness is a critical tool for us, now more than ever. While
some have started to feel positive outcomes from the improving economy, there
are still thousands of people in our community struggling to recover
themselves. They face unemployment and struggles keeping their family housed
and utilities paid, many for the first time in their lives.
Yet at the same time the demands for our programs are higher
than normal, social service organizations face a struggle themselves. Federal
budget cuts and tougher-to-come-by charitable donations have meant decreasing
budgets and programming locally, at just the time when we need to be expanding.
For these reasons, it’s as important as ever to raise awareness about poverty
in northeast Indiana, and resources to fight that poverty.
During May, and even a little into June, CANI will pump up our
own efforts to raise awareness and provide opportunities for people to get
engaged. On May 17th we will be conducting our signature event – our
Poverty Simulation. This is simply an excellent opportunity for people to
participate in a fun and engaging activity, that provides a taste of the issues
that low-income families face. Past participants have reported that it was a
moving, eye-opening experience for them. And so our goal is to conduct these
simulations as often as we can, and May 17th is the next opportunity
for you to participate. More information can be found here.
On May 21st, join
us from noon – 2pm as we celebrate the grand opening of Hopewell Pointe – a
35-home affordable housing subdivision in Waynedale. These wonderful new homes are
providing a life-changing opportunity to the families who are now living here.
The development has also been a valuable economic investment in this southwest
Fort Wayne community.
On June 7th we will host our annual golf outing
at Noble Hawk Golf Links in Kendallville. CANI
Golf is one of our top fundraising events of the year and is a great way to
support our fight against poverty while having a great time as well. We still
have openings for teams and sponsorships. Participants routinely state this is
one of the best outings of the year!
Besides events, we hope that you will see and hear more of
us in other ways as well. Check out our recently launched, new and improved web
site – www.canihelp.org. And our 2011
Annual Report should be in your hands by mid-May. The Annual Report highlights
stories of individuals and families who have fought poverty in their own lives
and have achieved great successes.
The purpose of all this activity is to put poverty front of
mind in our community just a little bit more. If we can mobilize people to
support our cause, advocate for the issues, and give of their time and
financial resources, together we can fight poverty and build hope in our
neighborhoods, communities, and northeast Indiana.
