By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Lillington, NC - Driving meaningful change requires both a deep commitment to the community and a willingness to evolve. That spirit of enduring dedication and forward momentum was on full display at the latest board of directors meeting for Johnston Lee Harnett (JLH) Community Action. The inspiring session brought together long-serving members, agency leaders, and community advocates, all unified by a shared mission: securing grant funding and local contributions to directly combat the root causes of poverty across Johnston, Lee, and Harnett counties. By working smart and collaborating closely, the agency continues to execute vital programs that uplift vulnerable populations and improve life for all area citizens.
Their key programs are transformative. First, Community Service Block Grant S.T.A.R.S. Program. The S.T.A.R.S. Program is a self-sufficiency program designed to help low-income residents in Johnston, Lee, and Harnett counties identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented them from becoming independent. S.T.A.R.S. areas of concentration include: Employment, Education, Housing, Financial Literacy (budgeting), and goal-setting.
Next, JLH Community Action Head Start/Early Head Start Program. This three-county, comprehensive child development program is designed to meet children's and families' needs through licensed center-based care. The primary goal of the Head Start/Early Head Start programs is to provide quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children from birth to five years of age. Early Head Start/Head Start provides a comprehensive child development program that addresses the individual, physical, educational, nutritional, mental, social, and emotional development of infants, toddlers, and preschool participants. The program also serves the needs of pregnant mothers during prenatal and post-delivery. Additionally, the Weatherization Assistance Program is a Federal program managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. It is designed to help residents who meet federal low-income guidelines to lower their energy usage and costs. This is achieved by home weatherization and client education. Weatherizing a home involves conducting an energy assessment to identify the most cost-effective energy improvements that need to be performed on the dwelling, and then making those improvements at no cost to the household. "We are known by the state for spending money, because we get it and we spend it," Executive Director Ruby R. Bryant said. "There are so many needs in our community."
Finally, Rapid Re-housing is a program designed to house homeless individuals and/or families that HUD defines as people who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or in an existing institution where they temporarily reside (streets, car, or shelter). The consumers will come into the office with their valid license or ID, social security numbers of everyone who will be living inside the home, and a letter from someone who knows they are HUD-defined homeless. The client will then complete an application; the application will be submitted to a committee outside of the agency for approval. The program provides case management for a year once a consumer is enrolled in the program.
On a celebratory note, the agency has already been conditionally approved for the upcoming fiscal year's grant funding. The committee reported that they successfully distributed well-deserved end-of-year financial incentives to the hardworking Head Start staff during the first payroll run in May. Executive Director Ruby Bryant presented a comprehensive update on a massive agency-wide modernization push, proving that JLH Community Action is firmly focused on the future. For the first time in its history, the agency has completely abandoned paper forms for its health insurance open enrollment, successfully transitioning to a fully digital platform via Employee Navigator. Despite initial hesitation about moving away from a 20-year routine with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bryant reported immense success with their new provider, Aetna. "Tomorrow is the last day, and we have less than 10 people who have yet to enroll," Executive Director Rouse shared enthusiastically, "It is digital; it is the way everybody's going... You can't be afraid of it anymore. Everybody chooses their own benefits, they see the price, and it’s just laid out."
The organization is confident that healthcare and competitive pay will bring quality and caring employees to JLH Community Action Head Start/Early Head Start Program. Head Start representatives issued an urgent call for job applicants across all three counties as the program launches an aggressive recruitment campaign. The agency is actively seeking local applicants, including recent high school graduates, for positions that offer a five-day work week, paid holidays, comprehensive benefits, and clear paths for upward mobility. To combat regional teacher shortages, JLH Community Action is partnering with local childcare academies to provide full training in early childhood education for uncertified hires. Additionally, the agency is actively adjusting teacher salaries to remain competitive with local public school systems. Applicants must be able to pass a standard background check, physical, and local registry screening.
Looking ahead, board members highlighted several upcoming community initiatives like their Back-to-School Bash, August 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Clayton High School. The event is open to all surrounding areas with no strict qualifications, though children must be present to receive supplies, free haircuts, and hair braiding.
