VAC awarded COSCDA Sterling Achievement
The Council of State Community Development Agencies ( COSCDA) held their annual national conference in Savannah from Sept. 11 – 15. As part of the national conference, COSCDA recognizes outstanding projects that have been implemented with Community Development Block Grant funds. The Gordon County Voluntary Action Center ( VAC) was recognized and awarded the COSCDA Sterling Achievement Award for demonstrated positive results in improving the lives of lower- income persons in Homelessness Assistance/Prevention.
VAC Executive Board member Gay Little and her husband Charlie travelled to Savannah for the presentation of the award. The award ceremony took place Monday evening following dinner aboard the Savannah River Queen as the boat cruised the river. COSCDA President Steve Charleston presented each of the five national recipients with their awards. The following morning, each recipient discussed their project with the conference attendees. Gay Little captivated the audience with stories of the staff at the VAC providing life changing and life saving help to families in need of immediate assistance. The reaction to Gay’s presentation made it readily apparent why the Gordon County VAC was recipient of this prestigious award.
The Sterling Award was presented to the full VAC Board at their November Board Meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. Gordon County Administrator John King and Gordon County Commissioners Jeff Gazaway and Kevin Cunningham were in attendance for the award presentation.
The Gordon County Voluntary Action Center was founded in 1971 by a group of local citizens who recognized the presence of needs going unmet in their community. It began operating under the welfare system of Gordon County. The Calhoun Women’s Club was instrumental in helping establish the initial programs and services. The County received a $ 500,000 CDBG Grant is 2012 in order to address the VAC’s facility needs. The improvements allowed the VAC to provide more and better services for local citizens. Needs included space for a day shelter to provide the homeless with a place to shower, launder their clothes and generally make themselves presentable for job interviews. There are currently 17 Board Members, two full-time Staff, six parttime staff and nearly 400 volunteers.