
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 18, 1995                   TAG: 9505180031
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COMMUNITY ACTION TOOLBOX

New River Community Action administers a number of programs charged locally with combating poverty through housing, health, education, nutrition, employment and emergency assistance. The statistics cited were compiled by the agency during 1993-94.

Head Start is one of the agency's longest-standing programs. It provided preschool health and education services for 349 children between the ages of 3 and 5 from low-income families. Head Start operates programs in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Dublin, Floyd, Pulaski, Narrows, Pearisburg, Radford and Shawsville. Home-based services are also offered to those who are eligible yet lack transportation to the centers.

The Self Help and Resource Exchange, also know as the SHARE program, is one of the agency's largest. Supported by businesses, church groups, civic organizations and many volunteers, SHARE offers low-cost food to low-income families or anyone wanting to stretch food dollars in return for community service work. The program's warehouse in Pulaski distributed 80,000 units of food to participants in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky.

The Homeless Intervention Prevention program provided no-interest loans for temporary rental, mortgage and security deposit payments to 268 New River Valley residents. Each recipient was assisted with developing a self-sufficiency plan.

Home energy conservation measures were provided to 121 low-income people by the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Emergency Assistance Programs, bolstered by funding from other agencies such as the United Way, local churches, local government funds and private donations, helped 7,655 local residents obtain or maintain shelter and get food and clothing.

The Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP), a partnership involving the New River Health District and private physicians, provided medical services to 74 children in Montgomery and Giles counties. Low-income clients under age 6 get on-going medical and dental care.

In Floyd and Giles counties, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) gives recreational, social and education opportunities to retired people 55 years of age and older.

Other programs include holiday assistance for food and gifts, gardening projects, summer day camps, income tax assistance, teen parent support and counseling, home repair, child care and distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities.

Additionally, the agency works with other local social service organizations such as The Free Clinic, the Women's Resource Center, Virginia Mountain Housing, the Legal Aid Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Montgomery County Community Shelter, the Community Friendship Workshop and emergency assistance programs in Montgomery and Pulaski counties.

by CNB