CITIZENS ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS INC

THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY CENTER AND SPONSORS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SPIRITUAL, AND MORAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND TO STRENGTHEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED PRIMARILY TO INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS IN PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. WE PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO STRENGTHENING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY, SO THEY CAN FOSTER THE OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS. THE AGENCY IS NOT ONLY NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION (COA), BUT ALSO BECAME A LICENSED CHILDCARE CENTER. A MAJOR COMPONENT OF OUR SERVICE DELIVERY INCLUDES FAMILY SUPPORT. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND RESILIENCY SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AID WITH NAVIGATING THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND AN ARRAY OF OTHER SERVICES. SOME OF THESE INCLUDE BASIC NEEDS SERVICES SUCH AS THE LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) AND OTHER PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND WORKSHOPS THAT FIT THE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILIES. DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE ALSO HELPED FAMILIES APPLY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING, THROUGH THE PINELLAS COUNTY, FOR RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTED FOOD, FACE MASKS AND OTHER PPE ITEMS. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES PROVIDED: THE ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (AEP) GAVE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS; PARENT MEETINGS (2ND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH) TO HELP PARENTS ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM; BILINGUAL INTERPRETERS ARE PRESENT AT EACH PARENT MEETING AND ON SITE ONCE A WEEK; - A SUMMER CAREER INSTITUTE AT ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE WAS HELD FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EXPLORE CAREERS AND GAIN JOB SKILLS TRAINING. A SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP WAS HELD FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TO DECREASE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS. -COOKING MATTERS, COOKING CLASSES FOCUSED ON FAMILY NUTRITION, WAS TAUGHT BY UF/IFAS EXTENSION. -YOUTH PARTICIPANTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF PARTICIPATED IN THE CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS CHRISTMAS PARADE AND THE MLK JR. PARADE; -BACKPACK GIVEAWAY WAS HELD IN AUGUST TO PROVIDE FREE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. INTERGENERATIONAL LUNCHEON WAS HELD FOR SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THE YOUTH; FARM SHARE HOLIDAY PRODUCE GIVEAWAY, SPONSORED BY SEN. ED HOOPER AND REP. CHRIS SPROWLS, DISTRIBUTED FOOD TO FAMILIES IN NEED; - COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDED MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, KWANZAA CELEBRATION, ORATORICAL CONTEST AT ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE- TARPON CAMPUS AND SOUL FOOD FEST.