 |
A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out For families who straddle the poverty line, living paycheck to paycheck, it doesn't take much to fall behind. One major car or home repair and they can find themselves in crisis, on the verge of needing public assistance. What these families may not realize, what we help them to learn is that they have the ability to better themselves. Accountability and Credibility Together (ACT) is a non-profit organization created to help families help themselves. In fact, we ask our participants to be accountable, and, the majority of families who have walked through our doors have done just that. Few other agencies have had that kind of success. We've learned, if you ask more of people, make them responsible for their consequences, you will get more from them. They will get more from themselves. Their relationships and their lives will improve. |
 |
"In its purest sense, ACT represents what we meant by welfare reform. I don't think there's anything quite like it in the country" - Joel Potts, Director's Office of the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services |
|
|
|
“There are three things that make ACT stand out and succeed where others fall short. Clearly the first attribute is the leadership of Carol Gibbs. The need for a local champion is paramount to success. Second, ACT has been able to break down the turf and bring the necessary community leaders, providers and families together to create a system that works. Finally ACT is successful because it sets clear goals and reasonable expectations for the people it serves.” • Joel Potts To read more about Joel's comments published in our Impacting Families newsletter, please click here
|
|
ACT is always in need of in-kind donations such as: Diapers Toiletries including deodorant, shampoo, and soap Laundry detergent |
|
|
Who We Serve In 2004, ACT served 1260 new families including 3780 children. At any given time, ACT may be providing services to as many as 2000 families. ACT clients are parents whose education ranges from college education to high school drop outs. They may lack the knowledge, support or even transportation to make a better life for themselves and their children without assistance. ACT is their support system, providing encouragement and training at every step along the way. However, they all have come to us because they have chosen to work hard toward the gratifying choice of achieving goals. To be eligible for ACT, the family's income must be <Continued>
|
Programs and Services ACT empowers working poor families to become self-sufficient by providing emergency financial assistance, as well as emotional, educational and employment support. Eligibility is based on family income at 150% of federal poverty guidelines (or less) and dependent children (18 yrs. or younger) in the home. Participants receive individual attention and develop a mutually agreed upon self-sufficiency plan, utilizing a strength-based approach. ACT helps families get prepared, gain skills and get jobs. <Continued> |
|
ACT Stories of Success ACT is an agency effectively implementing the 1996 welfare reform legislation. We are dedicated to the progress adn stability of Hamilton County's working poor families. Since inception, our educational and employment support programs have provided well over 9,000 families with the tools needed to obtain self-sufficiency. These are families that live where you live, work where you work, whose childen play where yours' play. Here are a few of their inspirational stories |
Impacting Families Newsletter “Learn more about ACT, our programs and our clients in our quarterly Impacting Families newsletter. Our first issue featured the story of Ronda Tuggle, a former participant, and her path toward self-sufficiency. Our past issues can be found online, or you can contact us to be placed on our mailing list. |
