Local Projects

Current work:

• Evans Store

Powell Subdivision residents and CCA leaders are working with Palm Bay city officials – at the City Manager’s request – to address Evans Store, a blighted property in the community.  The city repossessed the property for code violation liens and the tenant closed the store due to health code violations.  A coalition of agencies has been formed and several uses are planned.

v   A small grocery store - minus the cigarette and alcohol sales - with       products geared to the specific needs of the community;

v   Add a neighborhood Laundromat with washers and dryers donated by a businessman from the community;

v   A community room with computer lab;

v   And most exciting, a job training program for neighborhood youth.

Brevard Neighborhood Development Corporation (BNDC) will be the sponsoring/umbrella agency for operation of the property until the operation is self-sufficient and a new 501© (3) established. 

All this because of the relationship built between Mt. Moriah leaders and city officials during past issue work.  “It’s all about the relationship”.

• Homelessness

Leaders at Our Lady of Lourdes are researching homelessness in the county and possible solutions for some of the issues facing the homeless, particularly families, i.e. adequate emergency shelters, transitional housing, substance abuse treatment, and job training.  Leaders will begin meeting with public officials from the cities and county and well as agencies in the area to determine what services are available and where gaps in service exist.  Leaders hope to have an open dialogue with  public officials and agencies looking at solutions within 6 months.

• Florida KidCare Enrollment

CCA was instrumental in the development of the Brevard KidCare Coalition, one of only nine such coalitions in Florida.  The purpose of the coalition is to address Florida KidCare outreach in Brevard County – specifically improvements needed to insure all eligible children are enrolled in the program.  CCA leaders are continuing to work with PICO affiliates in Florida toward other improvements to the Florida KidCare program to further streamline the enrollment process.  The goal – to have every Florida child covered.

• Foreclosure/Blight

Leaders are planning more foreclosure workshops at which information will be provided to help families navigate the foreclosure prevention and loan modification process.  Leaders are also beginning to work in communities where homeowner associations have expressed concern about deterioration of properties abandoned by homeowners because of foreclosure.  Leaders will conduct research meetings with public officials to see what city codes are in place or need to be strengthened  in order to hold banks or homeowners accountable for those abandoned properties.

• Health Care Coverage Reform

CCA leaders have compiled health care stories which they have heard in the 1 to 1 conversations with people and developed a “Health Care Story Book”.  They have given the story book to Senators and Representatives during research meetings  with them locally and in Washington, DC in order to show them the need for heath care reform.  The CCA leaders are working with PICO affiliates from across the country regarding this issue.  Their message is simple: make coverage accessible for everyone, make coverage truly affordable for families, make it quality coverage, and make it financially sustainable.

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