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2017 SESSION

17104156D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 384
Offered February 8, 2017
Commending Tri-County Community Action Agency.
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Patron-- Edmunds
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WHEREAS, in 2016, Tri-County Community Action Agency celebrated 50 years of admirable service to the low-income and economically challenged citizens of Halifax, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg Counties; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency is a community-based, multipurpose organization that provides quality, comprehensive social and advocacy services to individuals and families in need while promoting their self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency was created as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which authorized the formation of local community action agencies to help fight the War on Poverty; and

WHEREAS, founded as Halifax County Community Action Agency in October 1966, Tri-County Community Action Agency started with a mandate of helping low-income individuals in the county become self-sufficient, and the Reverend Kayle Kelly was hired as the first employee; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Tri-County Community Action Agency expanded to cover the Counties of Charlotte and Mecklenburg, and the agency took its current name to reflect its broader scope; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency had a staff of about 12 and a budget of approximately $110,000 in 1971, today the agency has 65 employees and an operating budget of over $12.5 million; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency’s largest program is Head Start, followed by domestic violence and housing programs; the agency assists an average of 2,000 people annually through 15 programs; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency’s other programs include Virginia Homeless Solutions, Emergency Food and Shelter, EnergyShare, and Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation, and a Healthy Family program is under development; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency partners with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and Southern Virginia Community College to provide GED classes and job skills education; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency undertakes a community needs assessment annually to make sure it understands and is meeting the most pertinent needs of the citizens it serves; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency’s success is made possible with the support of public and private entities such as Dollar General, Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital, the Community Services Board, Workforce Development Center, Halifax County Public Schools, Department of Social Services, Wells Fargo, BB&T, and the Halifax County Community Federal Credit Union; and

WHEREAS, over the past five decades, the outstanding staff members of Tri-County Community Action Agency have been dedicated soldiers on the front lines of the War on Poverty, offering hope to thousands of distressed individuals through their work; and

WHEREAS, Tri-County Community Action Agency’s leaders, supporters, volunteers, and future volunteers celebrated the agency’s tremendous growth and success at a 50th Anniversary Masquerade Ball gala in October 2016; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Tri-County Community Action Agency hereby be commended on celebrating 50 years of admirable service to the low-income citizens of Halifax, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William J. Coleman, president of Tri-County Community Action Agency, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ sincere appreciation for the organization’s tireless efforts to battle poverty and promote self-sufficiency for economically disadvantaged citizens.