By Kent County
Kent County Community Action (KCCA) is hosting a public forum on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. to discuss the community’s needs and KCCA’s services for the next three years. The event will be held at KCCA’s office located at 121 Franklin SE, Grand Rapids in Multi- Purpose Room A and B.
KCCA has partnered with Public Sector Consultants, a Lansing-based research and project management firm, to conduct this public forum with community members and service providers to determine the underlying causes of poverty within a community and to identify available resources.
“We are encouraging residents from all walks of life to participate in the forum so we can successfully work together to end poverty in Kent County,” said KCCA Director Susan Cervantes.
The community forum will integrate the preliminary findings of the Community Needs Assessment, which KCCA is federally required to conduct every three years, and raise awareness of poverty.
“The findings from the Community Needs Assessment will guide our decision-making and service delivery,” concluded Cervantes. “It is important for the community to participate in this process as it will help shape future services for Kent County which will ultimately lift individuals and families out of poverty.”
Immediately following the public forum, attendees will celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Community Action. President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation on August 20, 1964, to establish a War on Poverty stating that “this administration here and now declares unconditional war on poverty.” Since then, more than 1,000 community action agencies nationally work every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of community members, including KCCA.
