Message from the Executive Director

 

At the start of of our fiscal year (October 1, 2009), no one saw it coming. The severe economic downturn, the stock market meltdown, bank bailouts, auto industry bailouts, extremely high unemployment, home foreclosures as well as a miserably bleak state budget. It all contributes to mounting challenges for the MDSCAA now and into the future.
Our agency and the people we serve are feeling the fallout of these developments in a variety of ways. We lost state funding, on very short notice, for Perspectives, which is our Adult Day Care Center, at midyear. We were also required — again, on short notice — to reduce state-funded services by 15 percent in Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents, RSVP, Home Delivered meals, and various In-Home services for seniors at midyear. We are now coping with the loss of the Early Childhood Program state funded Great Start Readiness Program, affecting up to 125 children. Fiscal year 2009/10 is expected to be even worse. Funding has been reduced for the Emergency Food Program despite increased demand.
On the positive side, the massive expansion of the Home Weatherization Program is beginning this year. Even though we suffered startup pains that were out of our control, we are ready to begin to weatherize some 500 homes over the next couple of years. Federal stimulus dollars also lessened the pain with CSBG, Nutrition, TEFAP, and Head Start receiving one-time funds. Additionally, the Senior Citizens millage was recently renewed by voters in Delta and Menominee counties. Also, dollars raised by Walk for Warmth in the two counties continues to demonstrate strong community support and trust in the CAA.
The Board and staff of the agency pledge to continue to adapt to changing conditions in order to provide quality services to the three-county area.

William Dubord, Executive Director

(906) 786-7080

bdubord@mdscaa.org

 

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CAA Mission Statement
"Providing opportunities for people of all ages and means to improve their quality of life through advocacy, education, housing, nutrition, volunteerism and support services."