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Economic Security Corporation of SW Area - Early Head Start/Head Start
This morning, we had the honor of hearing from and visiting with Kimberly Richmond from Early Head Start/Head Start, a division of Economic Security Corporation of SW area at our Collective Voices monthly meeting! We were able to tour the facility and see just how wonderful this organization is! They are a hidden gem in our community, and are excited to help out families in need.
Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESC) was organized in October 1965 as a private non-profit Community Action Agency, serving the four Southwest Missouri counties of Barton, Jasper, Newton, and McDonald. The original purpose was President Johnson’s response to the “War on Poverty.” ESC’s mission is “To provide comprehensive services that instill hope and share opportunities to eliminate the conditions of poverty and help neighbors achieve self-sufficiency.”
We have been dedicated to serving the needs of low-income people for 56 years by providing a full range of programs designed to eliminate poverty and help people become more self-sufficient. These services and strategies cover a variety of issues affecting the families and communities we live, covering areas like health, education, housing, employment and homelessness. ESC currently provides services and strategies to approximately 12,500 citizen throughout the year.
- Head Start / Early Head Start – Early childhood education and family support services.
- Jasper County Public Housing Agency’s Housing Vouchers - Rental subsidy
- Jasper County Public Housing Agency’s Family Self Sufficiency - Housing counseling and incentive for self-sufficiency
- Permanent Supportive Housing Rental Assistance – Rental subsidy and basic support services for homeless persons with a disability
- Weatherization – Home repairs to make homes more energy efficient, reducing utility bills, creation of local jobs and safe homes.
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) – Employment, education and housing counseling.
- Energy Assistance/Energy Crisis Intervention Services - Utility assistance for families, CHANCE - Employment workshop and support services for homeless people
- Home Repair –Makes major repairs to homes
- Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) - development of affordable homes in Southwest Missouri for over 25 years
- Transitional Housing for Families with Children – Employment counseling, GED preparation, child care, transportation, money management skills, parenting, job retention, access to medical and mental health care, and time management
ESC’s challeng
e as a Community Action Agency is to build strong partnerships and collaborative efforts with a variety of NGOs and community organizations to maximize unduplicated services to our clients. This collaborative effort is evidenced by our participation in One Joplin. They are comprised of over 35 NGOs and the faith-based community, as well as public and private organizations and individuals. The purpose of One Joplin is to increase decision-making at the local level. Through collaboration among community groups, we can ensure systemic change to develop a wellness in our communities.
ESC is also a collaborative partner of The Homeless Coalition. They are the primary forum for planning and coordination among homeless service providers in the Joplin, Jasper County, and Newton County areas. The Coalition is responsible for formulating a Homeless Continuum of Care plan. For the past 15 years, ESC has been the lead agency responsible for submission of the Continuum of Care to HUD.
To find out more information head over to https://www.escswa.org
