MARSHALL, Mo., Sept. 10, 2013 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Missouri Valley Community Action Agency is one of four Community Action Agencies (CAAs) working to alleviate poverty in America to receive the 2013 Community Economic Development Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award. The awards, administered by the Community Action Partnership, were presented August 29, 2013 at the organization’s Annual Convention in Chicago.
In order to be selected, the winning projects were evaluated based on its effectiveness in job creation, asset building, and economic impact on low-income communities in three categories: Entrepreneurship, Protege, and Master Innovator. MVCAA’s Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) was selected as a winner in the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation category.
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency’s MADE provides support for new and developing businesses. Participants receive mentoring, professional and technical support as they work to actualize their business ideas into sustainable business ventures. To date, MADE has assisted in the development of over 30 businesses that employ 130 people in Missouri.
“In many communities, the Community Action Agencies are THE go-to organization for helping people, creating jobs and improving communities-and this role increases during challenging economic times,” said Pam LaFrenz, Executive Director of MVCAA. “That’s why we created our program, and we’re proud not only that it has been cited as one of the best in the country, but that it’s making a considerable positive impact on our neighbors, both financially and personally.”
The award, created in 2010, honors CAAs for exemplary leadership and innovation in creating change for low-income people and families-specifically in economic development. It is part of the Partnership’s Community Economic Development Exemplary Practice Initiative, funded by the federal Office of Community Services/Administration for Children and Families/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Despite the fact that CAAs are under increased pressure due to budget cuts and growing requests for services, they are still leading the way in terms of novel approaches that are really helping low-income people and communities thrive,” said Stacy Flowers, Director of Community Economic Development at the Community Action Partnership. “The award winners highlight CAAs’ unique ability to spearhead programs that promote economic security and reduce poverty.”
Community Action helps families and communities meet their unique needs and ensure that all community members have an opportunity to thrive and to contribute to the success of their communities and neighborhoods.
Based in Washington, D.C., the Community Action Partnership provides training and other services to more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across America that are helping low-income people and families improve their lives, strengthen their communities and embody the spirit of hope. For more information, visit http://www.communityactionpartnership.com/ or follow the organization on Twitter, https://twitter.com/CAPartnership .
More information about MVCAA: http://mvcaa.net/ .
PHOTO CAPTION: Pam LaFrenz, Cheryl Zimny and Stacy Flowers with MADE award.
NEWS SOURCE: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.
