This will be quick: Community Action is collecting signatures for a petition urging President Obama to maintain funding for programs that are vital to our social safety net.
I wrote more about this in a couple diaries last week. You can read them at these two links:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
In a nutshell, President Obama -- during his SOTU address -- singled out Community Action for reduced funding. Community Action is the nation's network of 1,100 local agencies providing assistance to low-income families. Head Start, LIHEAP (energy assistance), weatherization -- those are just some of the services delivered by Community Action.
President Obama is proposing a 50% cut in funding to the Community Services Block Grant, the ONLY federal program focused on comprehensive services to fight poverty.
With a growing number of people struggling below or near the poverty line, cutting funds now is the wrong idea at the wrong time.
Last year, Community Action:
- Served nearly 21 million people nationwide
- Enabled employment for 3.8 million people
- Helped 15.7 million people obtain emergency assistance
- Increased financial literacy for 1.1 million people
Make no mistake: President Obama's proposal will force Community Action Agencies to slash programs, or even close their doors.
Thanks to the Great Recession, the number of people living in poverty in the U.S. is at its highest peak since the 1960s. Help us make sure Community Action programs are there to help them get back on their feet.
You can read and sign the petition here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/...
Thank you!