News & Releases
Updates from your Community Action PartnershipMiami Valley CAP offering free financial services through Fifth Third eBus this Thursday
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership strives to provide our customers with complete service to better promote self-sufficiency. In that spirit, the Dayton agency – located at 719 S. Main St. — will host the Fifth Third eBus in its overflow parking lot this Thursday, September 20th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
As many low-to moderate-income neighborhoods are generally underserved by banks, the eBus provides free access to financial services while promoting financial literacy. CAP customers will have access to computer workstations and Internet connectivity as well as banking professionals who will answer their questions. The eBus will also enable customers to review their credit reports, work on debt reduction strategies and open a checking account.
For more information, call LaSandra James at 937-341-5000 ext. 125.
Summer Crisis Program Ending Soon; Miami Valley CAP Still Helping Those In Need
August 15, 2018
DAYTON—The 2018 Summer Crisis Program will end Friday, August 31st, however, Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (Miami Valley CAP) is still assisting eligible clients at this time.
The agency has provided $16,000 in one-time monetary benefits to more than 130 households throughout the Miami Valley since the program started on July 1st. These benefits provide bill payment assistance for those with documented medical conditions or persons 60 years of age or older. Miami Valley CAP has also provided $26,000 worth of benefits for more than 150 households in the form of new air conditioning units. In addition, the agency has spent more than $1,000 repairing existing air conditioning systems whenever possible.
Director of Energy Assistance Programs, Keelie Gustin, says Miami Valley CAP has enough resources to continue helping clients until the deadline.
“We are still accepting applications and expect to keep serving eligible households in need right up to August 31st this year,” Gustin said. Households needing to make an appointment for Summer Crisis relief can call 937-514-4777 or go online to http://mvcap.capscheduler.com.
Gustin also pointed out August is Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month.
“We are asking customers what they love about the LIHEAP program. In the middle of Summer Crisis season, our customers have expressed to us their thankfulness for the LIHEAP funds that keep them cool and also provide winter heating benefits. We’d love to hear more from the Miami Valley regarding what they like about the LIHEAP program.”
Clients are welcome tell Miami Valley CAP by stopping into the Dayton office on 719 S. Main Street to fill out a postcard or posting to Miami Valley CAP’s Facebook page.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley. Contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org
Summer Crisis Relief Continues Through Miami Valley CAP
July 16, 2018
DAYTON—Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (MVCAP) continues to accept appointments for its Summer Crisis Program, which runs from through August 31st, 2018. Households may be eligible for this benefit either in the form of an air conditioning unit, unit repair, or a one-time monetary benefit to assist with summer cooling bills.
Households with individuals who have documented medical conditions or individuals 60 years of age and older may be eligible to participate in this program. A complete list of eligibility requirements can be found on MVCAP’s website at https://miamivalleycap.org. Households needing to make an appointment for Summer Crisis relief can call 937-514-4777 or go online to http://mvcap.capscheduler.com. Households currently enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program are not eligible for financial assistance, but they may be eligible for other assistance.
MVCAP’s Director of Energy Assistance Programs, Keelie Gustin, says demand for these benefits has been high.
“Across the agency, we’ve seen an increase in air conditioner benefits, as well as monetary benefit expenditures. We are pleased so many individuals are able to take advantage of the Summer Crisis Program to stay cool this summer. We will continue to take appointments through August 31, 2018, and work hard to ensure we have air conditioners and funds available until that time,” Gustin said.
Once scheduled, applicants will need to bring a number of items with them to their appointment. A complete list of these items is also available at MVCAP’s website.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley. Contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org
Miami Valley CAP to Offer Relief with Summer Crisis Program
June 27, 2018
DAYTON—Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (MVCAP) is now accepting appointments for its Summer Crisis Program, which runs from July 1st to August 31st, 2018. Households may be eligible for this benefit either in the form of an air conditioning unit, unit repair, or a one-time monetary benefit to assist with summer cooling bills.
Households with individuals who have documented medical conditions or individuals 60 years of age and older may be eligible to participate in this program. A complete list of eligibility requirements can be found on MVCAP’s website at https://miamivalleycap.org. Households needing to make an appointment for Summer Crisis relief can call 937-514-4777 or go online to http://mvcap.capscheduler.com.
Households currently enrolled in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program are not eligible for financial assistance, but they may be eligible for other assistance.
MVCAP’s Director of Energy Assistance Programs, Keelie Gustin, says benefits are limited and the need is expected to be high.
“It’s difficult to say just how many air conditioning units will be available once the program begins. However, we expect to exhaust all benefits on or before the August 31st cut-off date. Households can start setting up appointments now by calling or going online,” Gustin said.
Once scheduled, applicants will need to bring a number of items with them to their appointment. A complete list of these items is also available at MVCAP’s website.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley. Contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org
Miami Valley CAP Receives Another Auditor of State Award
June 13, 2018
GREENVILLE—A recent financial audit of Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s Darke County office by the Auditor of State’s office has returned a clean audit report. The Greenville office, located at 1469 Sweitzer Street, was praised for excellent record keeping to earn the Auditor of State Award.
Julie Lecklider, who is the Director of the Darke County office, was understandably pleased with the results. “This is an honor to receive this award. The staff take pride in their work and strive to do the best that they can to ensure the files are accurate.”
The Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts upon completion of a financial audit. Entities receiving the award meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report:
- The entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
- The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs;
- The entity’s management letter contains no comments related to:
- Ethics referrals
- Questioned costs less than $10,000
- Lack of timely report submission
- Reconciliation
- Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit
- Findings for recovery less than $100
- Public meetings or public records
This is the second Auditor of State Award received by Miami Valley Community Action Partnership in the last several months, with the agency’s Preble County office also being recently recognized for Fiscal Year 2017.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley. Contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org.
Miami Valley CAP In Need Of Volunteers To Help Young People Make a Difference in People’s Lives
June 8, 2018
EATON—Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (Miami Valley CAP) is taking a hands-on approach to home repair for low-income, elderly, and disabled residents of Preble County this summer. Through a partnership with the faith-based Group Cares organization’s WorkCamps program, which brings teenagers together to serve individuals and communities nationwide, Miami Valley CAP intends to establish up to 30 worksites at homes in need of assistance. These upgrades include installing ramps, handrails, rebuilding porches, painting and more.
However, Miami Valley CAP is in need of 30 to 40 volunteers beginning July 13th to assist with the project. Volunteer duties from July 13th through the 19th include counting materials and meeting with residents at the worksites. Volunteers are also needed from July 20th through the 23rd to deliver snacks to the worksites. Finally, 10 to 20 volunteers are needed to assist the construction teams and oversee the work being done.
CAP Preble County Director, Janelle Caron, is eager to begin work.
“We are excited to promote our various programs to our rural county service areas and make a difference in the lives of Preble County residents. The smallest home repair, from exterior painting to the construction of a wheelchair ramp to improve accessibility to the home, can make a huge difference in the lives of our residents,” Caron said.
Volunteers interested in participating in, or needing more information regarding this rewarding event, can contact Miami Valley CAP’s Preble County office in Eaton at 937-456-2800.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley. Contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org
Community Action agency changes name to reflect service area
DAYTON—Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, formerly Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, officially finalized the organization’s name change earlier this month. The decision was proposed to the agency’s board of trustees by President and CEO Cherish Cronmiller in late 2017.
“We feel like ‘Miami Valley’ better illustrates our service to the area,” Cronmiller said. “People often confused us as a Dayton-only organization and didn’t realize we have offices in four counties and offer services in a total of nine counties.”
Aside from adding clarity to the scope of those helped through Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s (MVCAP) services, the change reflects a more streamlined approach in marketing the agency.
“It’s far easier to abbreviate for day-to-day purposes,” added Cronmiller.
This marks the second name change for the organization, which started in 1964 as Supporting Council of Preventative Effort (SCOPE) before becoming Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area in 2003.
Anyone wanting to visit MVCAP’s main website can continue to go to the “capdayton.org” address or add the new “maimivalleycap.org” as both will go to the same location. The agency’s social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) have all been updated to reflect the name change.
For questions pertaining to the name change, or to request an interview with Cronmiller, please contact Jim Ingram at (937) 341-5000 ext.150 | James.Ingram@capdayton.org.
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency by providing programs and services in the Miami Valley.
MVCAP Employee Named Volunteer of the Quarter
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s LaSandra Wright, Director of Micro Enterprise & Computer Training, was recently honored by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Wright was named one of the organization’s Volunteers of the Quarter (third quarter 2017).
“Being recognized for something I love to do, help others, was an honor,” Wright said.
To learn more about either of her programs, contact Wright at 937-341-5000 ext. 125
Endangered Winter Crisis Program Ends This Month
March 15, 2018
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s (MVCAP) Winter Crisis Program (WCP), which helps low-income Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have less than 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain their utility service, will officially end on March 31st.
“We will continue to accommodate customers through the end of the month,” Keelie Gustin, Interim Director of Energy Assistance Programs said.
Ohioans with a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines ($43,050 for a family of four) are eligible for the program, which assisted more than 130,000 Ohioans statewide in 2016. This encompasses the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus), which assist households in retaining service and managing their utility bills.
However, it is uncertain whether the program, vital to many in the Miami Valley each year, will continue. President Trump’s recent proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2019 “zeroes” out the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding these programs. So far nearly $566,000 has been spent—serving more than 2,300 area homes–since November 1, 2017.
“We ask residents to make contact with their legislators about the importance of this program. This budget calls for the complete elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which would include the Summer and Winter Crisis programs,” said Cherish Cronmiller, CEO of MVCAP.
MVCAP is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, committed to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty and promoting self-sufficiency through programs and services in the Miami Valley. For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Jim Ingram at 937-341-5000 (ext. 150) or at James.Ingram@capdayton.org.
Miami Valley CAP Earns Rare Auditor of State Award
EATON–Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s (MVCAP) Preble County office was named a recipient of the Auditor of State Award by the Ohio State Auditor’s Office this week.
The Eaton location’s work with the Preble Metropolitan Housing Association was commended by the State for filing timely financial reports with the State Auditor’s office in the form of a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The audit report discovered no issues for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs.
Less than 10 percent of the more than 6,000 state entities received the award this year.
“Miami Valley CAP has a number of housing vouchers that we manage and pay landlords with those funds. We manage the finances, the assigning of vouchers and vetting of the landlords,” said Vice President and CFO Deborah Donnelly.
Other qualifications for the award met included having no issues involving ethics referrals, questioned costs of less than $10,000, failure to obtain a timely Single Audit, or findings for recovery less than $100.
