Tag Archives: poverty

Four local organizations have come together to form the Cookeville Community Cares Coalition to work on issues like poverty and homelessness. Hip Cookeville CEO Blair Dudley said the coalition has the ability to work directly with people in need. He said the street-level work they do can resolve issues that might take a government entity three to six months to ... Read More »

A leadership group ready to change social services. That is what UCHRA/UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said was his main takeaway from last week’s kickoff meeting revisiting social services. The meeting was the first over a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Opportunity Act Planning Grant the agency received. “There is a frustration that we all feel right now,” Farley said. ... Read More »

Homelessness, mental health and child care among the most important issues to be tackled by the UCHRA Policy Council. The newly structured group held its first meeting Wednesday. Regional elected officials originally formed the board. Now, 19 members that represent fields like utilities to law enforcement make up the council. Chairman Randy Heady said he thinks the new council will ... Read More »

UCHRA is looking for residents across the region to take its Community Needs Assessment to help focus service efforts. Community Services Assistant Director Megan Spurgeon said UCHRA wants input from citizens, elected officials, law enforcement and more. Spurgeon said services are often tied to a certain poverty level, however that has expanded during the pandemic. “If someone is technically over ... Read More »

LBJ & C Head Start is accepting applications for all 21 locations across 12 counties. Director Penny Meadows said children that are between the ages three to five by August 15th are eligible. “We don’t just do child  development,” Meadows said. “We also provide services as nutrition, health screenings, dental, disability services. We look at the children’s outcomes and teach ... Read More »

The UCHRA is working to make the elderly, disabled and low income residents of the Upper Cumberland safe and comfortable this winter. Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Tommy Simcox said the program works with contractors to fix windows, doors and heating and cooling units for those in need. Simcox said doing this work is about meeting any challenge to provide someone ... Read More »