Dr. Chris Small, the new executive director of the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri, presented the program at Thursday’s meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club.
Dr. Small has been with the local CAPNCM office for about three weeks, coming to Trenton after working in Jefferson City with the state community action partnership office. He also spent 31 years in education. His wife is a children’s therapist and they are the parents of two children.
Dr. Small talked about the services offered by the Trenton CAPNCM office, which has been in existence since 1964. He said the mission of CAPNCM is to offer services to individuals to become self-sufficient by empowering them to obtain the resources needed to build strong families and communities. The local office is responsible for services in nine area counties as well providing women’s services in three additional counties and Section 8 counties in four additional counties. Dr. Small said that during a typical day, the offices see between 30 to 40 individuals in need of its services. Among the programs offered are housing assistance, housing development, women’s health services and weatherization. The local office also operates an offender empowerment program to assist those individuals in finding gainful employment as well as securing housing and helping them to become productive members of society.
Also speaking with members were THS seniors Sarah Jordan, Karissa Brock and Emma Gilham, who told about efforts to raise funds to help build a well in Swaziland, which would provide a safe water source to its residents. The group said around $12,000 is needed and several fundraisers are being planned, including the upcoming Holly Jolly Jog on Dec. 15. Other activities include a Sadie Hawkins dance, concession stand operations and a “Miracle Minute” effort at the Dec. 14 basketball games, where students will have one minute to collect as much change as possible from individuals attending the game.
During the business meeting, final plans were made for the Christmas party on Dec. 13 at The Space in downtown Trenton.
There will be no meeting on Dec. 13 due to the Christmas party. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20.
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