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Message from Board of Directors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Our nation is experiencing a growing economy, but not everyone is sharing in the rewards. Along with positive economic indicators, we are facing a greater disparity between lower and upper-income households. In the New River Valley, we see low-income families struggling with a variety of poverty conditions including hunger, poor housing conditions, and low- wage jobs. Poverty can be a chronic condition affecting several generations of the same family. More often, it is a consequence of unexpected circumstances – job loss, divorce, low wages, illness or disability – that can destroy a family’s ability to be self-sufficient. The result is our approach to fighting poverty which: • Prioritizes prevention, • Addresses the causes of poverty, • Involves the community, • Creates opportunity, • Responds to clients with flexibility and coordination with other local resources, • Focuses on empowerment to develop long-term solutions. We extend a special thank you to the many generous and caring individuals, churches, businesses and groups that partnered with NRCA during 2017- 18. Dedicated NRCA staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors and advisory groups, along with assistance from the local, state and federal governments, United Way of the New River Valley, and local charitable foundations all contributed to our successes. Your support is vital, and we thank you.

John McEnhill Chairman Board of Directors

Terry Smusz Chief Executive Officer

New River Community Action (NRCA) assisted 10,728 individuals to fight the “war on poverty” last year through a variety of innovative programs. Using core funding from the federal and state Community Services Block Grants, NRCA leveraged additional public and private dollars, as well as in-kind support. These collective resources were expanded even further through linkages with NRCA’s many community partners.

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

The Promise of Community Action National Community Action Partnership

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