Community Progress Council

Progress toward self-sufficiency requires comprehensive, integrated services.

We had an impactful morning with Penn-Mar Human Services last week, as we hosted a poverty simulation for managers and leaders.

Poverty simulations are an interactive, immersive way to demonstrate the importance of our community working together to address the challenges of poverty.

After navigating through daily tasks that many of us take for granted, we had a great discussion about the realities of poverty, its impact on employees, and how leaders can play a role in helping team members break the cycle of poverty.

York Fresh Food Farms is a great partner for fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable pricing for everyone to enjoy, and we're excited to partner with their Mobile Produce Market at three CPC locations in the City of York this summer, starting June 18.

🍎 2-3PM every Wednesday at CPC WIC, 130 W Market St
🍎 3-4PM every first and third Thursday at CPC's main building, 226 E College Ave
🍎 3-4PM every second and fourth Thursday at CPC Community of Hope/Hannah Penn K - 8, 415 E Boundary Ave

Learn more at www.yorkfreshfoodfarms.org/shop/mobile-market.

As our school year winds down, we wanted to take a moment now to give a BIG thank-you and shout-out to all the members of our early childhood education teams.

Our work with families and our commitment to comprehensive, integrated services isn't possible without all the CPC team members who regularly interact with and support our ECE kiddos and their families: From coaches, PBIS/Inclusion, Health and Nutrition, Food Service, and Education Coordinators all the way to Navigators welcoming families and everyone interacting with our kids in the hallways and around our buildings — thank you for your hard work, your dedication, your patience, your empathy, your expertise, and another great school year.

Did you know June is National Homeownership Month? Last year, we helped 562 people connect with housing education workshops or one-on-one counseling to help them prepare for homeownership: Creating a spending plan, raising their credit score, and navigating the complex process of purchasing a home.

If homeownership is your goal — or you know someone who is working toward it — take a look at upcoming workshops and reach out to get connected.

https://www.yorkcpc.org/upcoming-events/

Poverty is a community problem that takes a community solution, and our team is always leading and learning to achieve our mission!

Team CPC showed up and showed out at the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania Summit last month. With the theme "Efficiency with Empathy: Where Innovation Meets Humanity," we learned, connected, and explored new ideas to build a culture of connection, strengthen teams, and drive greater impact in our community.

LGBTQIA+ history is American history. As we celebrate June as Pride Month, we recognize the ways in which transgender and bisexual individuals, le****ns, gay people, and others have shared, worked in, and led our communities.

Ensuring that all members of the LGBTQIA+ community have meaningful access to programs and services that are offered in inclusive, welcoming settings is crucial to addressing the causes and conditions of poverty.

Looking for fresh fruits and veggies this summer for your family? Community Progress Council's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program has a great resource through the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides $30 to each WIC participant to purchase locally grown, in-season fruits and vegetables at Pennsylvania's orchards and farm markets.

Ask your nutritionist about picking up your checks at your next WIC appointment!

Curious about what WIC can do for you? A Navigator will be stationed at the York City WIC Clinic from 1-4PM Wednesday, June 3, ready to help connect families to WIC or any of the services that Community Progress Council offers. Come see us at 130 W. Market St.

Our early childhood education families and team members had a special chance in April to focus on mental health and wellness, bringing the I'm fine. Project to three of our Community Progress Council hubs.

ECE families and team members came together to answer the question, "What mask do you wear to portray, minimize, or hide your mental health struggles?"

“I’m fine.”, a phrase we often say when we are not fine, is a community-engaged project dedicated to healing through the arts, to sculpting mental health conversations and to providing educational resources. In the workshops, participants are introduced to the concept that art can tell their story and can be a lifelong learning tool to help individuals to feel less isolated and alone in their mental health struggles.

Take a peek at the process!

We had a blast earlier this month with our partners at York Revolution and PSECU, including some on-field activities and a strong first pitch from one of our Head Start students (and T-ball star!). ⚾🧡

Thank you to PSECU for your generous support of our work to empower low-income families to self-sufficiency, and to everyone who bid on the jersey auction to further support our programs.