KLCAS Celebrates Community Action Month

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The following is a press release from Klamath-Lake Community Action Services.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore - Each May, our network celebrates Community Action Month across the nation and territories. This year, the Klamath County Board of County Commissioners and the Klamath Falls City Council joined this celebration by proclaiming May 2021 as Community Action Month.

2021 marks the 57th year since Community Action Agencies were established by the Economic Opportunity Act, a national effort to address the causes and conditions of poverty in the United States. KLCAS is proud to be part of this national effort to assist individuals and families, making local communities better places to live.

“Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact Klamath & Lake Community Action Services has had on local individuals and families,” says Christina Zamora, Executive Director of Klamath and Lake Community Action Services. “Last year, we provided services 5,846 individuals in 2,898 households within Klamath and Lake counties with utility assistance, rent/move in assistance and/or case management and individualized education to parents. We have been an active and engaged participant in COVID response and recovery efforts, utilizing state and federal resources to address needs which support the local economy.”

Community Action Agencies serve 99% of all counties in the United States with life-changing services to help individuals and families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and are required to respond to the most prevalent needs in each community, through providing direct services or by supporting community efforts in local initiatives. KLCAS understands that addressing the causes and mitigating the conditions of poverty is work that can not be done by one organization, it takes the engagement of the entire community to create the environment where all community members are able to thrive.

“Since July 1, 2020, KLCAS has provided $3.5m in direct services to eligible households through our assistance and homeless prevention programs,” stated Christina Zamora, “These funds were in response to and to support the recovery of over 2,000 households adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team shifted to remote service delivery very quickly and has demonstrated their commitment to the community consistently over the past fourteen months. Their dedication and tenacity are the reason KLCAS was able to increase program access in order to continue supporting individuals and families in our community.”