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Final push for Project Uplift toy and clothing drive donations ~ Cape Ann Beacon ............................................................................................................... Preparing for the 2012 Project Uplift toy and clothing drive ~ Cape Ann Beacon ............................................................................................................... ACTION brings adult education to Gloucester ~ Gloucester Daily Times ............................................................................................................... Local Organizations Recognized by BankGloucester October 9, 2012 - ACTION was among 15 local organizations recognized by BankGloucester and by voters, through the bank's annual *Banking for the Community* contest. ACTION Partners on Solar Energy Project July, 2012 - On July 25, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the installation of solar panels atop a Boston Housing Authority elderly/disabled housing development in Jamaica Plan. The project was the result of a partnership between ACTION, Action for Boston Community Development, the MA Department of Housing and Community Development, the MA Recovery Office, and others. *Learn more!* 2012 Community Awards June 2012 - At an awards ceremony held June 20^th at the Gloucester House Restaurant, ACTION honored individuals who have worked to make Greater Cape Ann a better place to live. Healthy Gloucester Collaborative Director Joan Whitney was presented with the Community Leadership Award for her role in addressing drug and alcohol issues in Gloucester. Whitney has worked closely with Action, Inc. and other private and public community partners on the prevention of substance abuse, particularly among local youth. She is a collaborator on the High Risk Task Force, a group committed to assisting individuals at immediate risk; along with Action, Inc. and Addison Gilbert Hospital, she spearheaded a substance abuse risk screening pilot program out of the hospital’s Emergency Room; and she worked with Gloucester Police and Fire Departments to champion the use of Narcan by first responders, helping to prevent fatal drug overdoses. Receiving Action, Inc.’s Volunteer of the Year Award was Nancy Delaney, a retired university professor and published author who also spent time in the technical industrial field at General Electric and Para Research. Over the last two years, Delaney has been volunteering with Action, Inc.’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and Project Uplift holiday toy and clothing drive for disadvantaged children. She has logged over 200 hours of volunteer service with the agency. Finally, the Lyndon Baines Johnson War on Poverty award for lifetime achievement in community action was presented to Action, Inc. HomeCare Director GerryAnne Brown (pictured above right), who will be retiring this summer after devoting herself to home-based elder care services for the past 37 years. When Brown started working at Action, Inc., the agency’s HomeCare program had just gotten off the ground and employed 15 workers who provided primarily basic care such as housekeeping and personal hygiene services. Today, Brown oversees more than 90 employees offering a comprehensive range of services, from basic care to Home Health Aide services and hospice care. The evening was also an opportunity to honor the memory of two community members who lost their lives in recent months. Carol Ryan, a long-time Action, Inc. Board of Directors member, passed away on April 24^th. Carol enjoyed a long career in school psychology and social work and authored a successful book on public schooling. Action, Inc. also lost a colleague on June 2^nd. Just 26 years old, Ashley Speicher passed away after an extended battle with heart disease. Ashley was a dedicated member of Action, Inc.’s Benefits and Support Services team, advocating for Greater Cape Ann’s disadvantaged individuals and families. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 2012 - ACTION staff showed their support of elder rights at the Five Corners of Rockport on June 15th, the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. ACTION Shelter Receives Donation from Beauport Ambulance April 2012 - The ACTION Shelter received a generous donation of training and medical equipment from local company Beauport Ambulance. *Read about it in the Gloucester Daily Times!* ACTION Thanks Project Uplift Toy Drive Partners January 2012 - The 2011 drive served more than 700 children in need. Read ACTION's *letter to the editor* thanking those who made it possible. Taking Shelter October 2011 - ACTION is featured in a report on local homelessness. *Read about it in the Cape Ann Beacon!* ACTION Helps Housing Development Harness Solar Power October 2011 - ACTION and others throughout the state partnered together on an exciting renewable energy project that resulted in the installation of solar panels atop a Woburn Housing Authority building. *Read about it!* Another Successful Shred-a-Thon September 2011 - The First National Bank of Ipswich held its annual Shred-a-Thon event, with proceeds once again generously donated to ACTION. *Learn more!* ACTION and Massachusetts Celebrate 10,000 Homes Weatherized August 2011 - Pictured left to right are ACTION Executive Director Tim Riley, ACTION client Stephanie East, Senator Bruce Tarr, MA Department of Housing and Community Development Chief of Staff Steve Carvalho, Congressman John Tierney, Secretary Jay Gonzales, Gloucester City Councilor Greg Verga, Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Commissioner Mark Sylvia, Department of Housing and Community Development Energy Conservation Unit Director Ken Rauseo, ACTION Vice President for Energy Services Elliott Jacobson. *Read about it in the Gloucester Daily Times!* Community Leaders Awarded at ACTION's 2011 Annual Meeting June 8, 2011 - At ACTION's 46^th Annual Meeting and Dinner held June 8^th, we recognized members of the community for their work in making Greater Cape Ann a better place to live. Every year ACTION presents Community Action Awards to honor individuals and groups that have contributed to the organization’s mission of improving the quality of life for disadvantaged residents of Cape Ann and beyond, by minimizing the effects of poverty, promoting economic security and advocating for social change. Recognized at the 2011 Annual Meeting and Dinner were the First National Bank of Ipswich with the Community Service Award, former Gloucester Public Health Director Jack Vondras with the Public Service Award, and Gloucester Police Chief Michael Lane with the Community Leadership Award. Receiving the Community Service Award on behalf of the First National Bank of Ipswich (FNBI) was bank President and CEO Russ Cole. ACTION and FNBI have partnered on a number of community initiatives, including financial education and savings programs as well as ACTION’s annual Project Uplift holiday toy drive for disadvantaged children. ACTION chose to honor Jack Vondras in recognition of his productive seven years as Gloucester’s Public Health Director. During his tenure as Director, Vondras worked to establish the Gloucester Family Health Center and brought millions of new dollars in grant funding into the City to support much needed public health programming and services. Chief Michael Lane earned the Community Leadership Award for his years of commitment to keeping the City of Gloucester safe. Chief Lane has worked with ACTION to address substance abuse issues and homelessness in the community and has been a valued partner and public servant. At the event, Lane spoke of the need to recognize chronic substance abuse and mental health issues as a disease and not a crime. Receiving an award in absentia was National Community Action Foundation Director David Bradley, who was later presented with ACTION’s Lyndon Baines Johnson War on Poverty Award at the Southern New England Community Action Conference held June 20^th in North Falmouth. The Annual Meeting and Dinner was also a chance for ACTION staff, board members, supporters, and partners to hear from individuals who have directly benefited from the organization’s services. Speaking at the event was Ron McArdle, a gentleman who found himself staying at the ACTION Emergency Homeless Shelter after becoming a victim of elder abuse and losing his home. McArdle’s story was featured by WGBH and can be viewed at http://www.wgbh.org/programs/Greater-Boston-11/episodes/May-9-2011A-growing-elder-abuse-problem-28631. ACTION Energy Services Receives Green Award from Northeast Arc June 5, 2011 - At an awards ceremony held June 5th by Northeast Arc, ACTION received the Green Award in recognition of the agency’s energy conservation initiatives. Northeast Arc is a non-profit organization that has delivered lifelong support services to people with developmental disabilities for more than 55 years. The organization launched a Green Initiative two years ago to “reflect on our reverence for the environment and the duty we feel to spend our energy and financial resources wisely.” To that end, Northeast Arc sought assistance with conducting energy audits and weatherizing its residences, and was directed to ACTION Energy Services. ACTION has a long history of operating energy conservation programs through its Energy Services division. The division assists disadvantaged households with paying their heating bills, and also offers home weatherization (such as insulation and weather-stripping), heating system repairs and replacements, energy conservation education, and replacement of inefficient appliances and light bulbs. Partial funding for these projects is provided through a partnership with major energy provider National Grid. Through Northeast Arc’s Green Initiative, ACTION and National Grid teamed up to weatherize the homes of low-income, disabled residents of 10 houses in Beverly, Gloucester, Lynn, Salem, and Swampscott, with improvements totaling over $50,000. *COMPASS Student Unveils Harbor & Home* Mural at the ACTION Shelter ■ Read the story in the Cape Ann Beacon ■ Watch the unveiling on** October 22, 2010 - ACTION unveiled the Harbor & Home mural outside our Shelter during a special public event. The mural was painted by COMPASS student Cole Herbst, in partnership with ACTION, Cape Ann Art Haven, and the ACTION Shelter. Pictured left to right: Cole with Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk (center) and his mother, the crowd outside the entrance to the Shelter, ACTION Executive Director Tim Riley with Cole.
Partnering with The First National Bank of Ipswich

■ Shredding for Action ... (Pictured left to right) Action employees Tim Riley, Executive Director, and Jessica Benedetto, Marketing & Planning Manager, accept a check for $1,360 from First National Bank of Ipswich representatives Carol Grimes, VP, and Russ Cole, President & CEO. The donated funds were the proceeds of the bank's September 25th Shred-a-Thon event, which provided document shredding and recycling services to the community.	■ Home Sweet Home ... (Pictured left to right) FNBI employee Becky Sumner, Action Executive Director Tim Riley, and Action Benefits & Support Services Director Maggie Meffen visit Darlene Edwards-Szuter and Tom Szuter to congratulate them on the purchase of their first home. The purchase was made possible thanks to Darlene's participation in Action's IDA Savings Program, offered in partnership with FNBI. The program helps participants develop financial literacy and save toward assets such as a first home or a college education.
45 Years of Community Action on Cape Ann! June 17, 2010 - We were thrilled to celebrate ACTION's 45th anniversary at our Annual Meeting and Dinner held at Cruiseport Gloucester. Attendees included MA Senator Bruce Tarr, former State Representative Tony Verga, City Council members and other public officials, along with ACTION staff, board members, supporters, partners, and clients. Former ACTION Executive Directors Denton Crews and William Rochford joined current Director Tim Riley, adding their perspective of ACTION’s history dating back to the 1960s. Pictured left to right are Crews and Riley. Click here for more pictures and details! Shelter & Energy Buildings Win Historical Preservation Awards May, 2010 - At an awards ceremony held on May 22 at the Cape Ann Museum, the Gloucester Historical Commission honored ACTION and other Gloucester organizations and residents for their work toward preserving the integrity of their historically significant buildings. ACTION was presented with Historical Preservation Awards for our Emergency Homeless Shelter at 370 Main Street and our Energy Services office building at 47 Washington Street. Both buildings have undergone recent upgrades to improve their usefulness and aesthetics, with great care taken to respect their historical significance. With the skilled assistance of general contractor Seaver Construction, architect Robert Mitnik, and designer Janice Tranos, the Shelter underwent a major renovation, which was completed in October and included the addition of four new apartment units (*read more). The Energy Services building was updated and improved with the help of Presto Painting, general contractor A&G, and HVAC contractor Cliff Peters. ACTION was in the company of award recipients that included Sawyer Free Library, The Rudder Restaurant, and the Rogers School Condominiums, as well as a number of residential homes. More News click the links to learn more* ■ May 2010 - Enterprise Bank nominates ACTION as Non-Profit of the Year ■ Mar. 2010 - Recovery in Ipswich: MA Stimulus Czar pays ACTION a visit ■ Faces of Recovery - The MA Recovery Office highlights ACTION and Energy Services (see Action Gets Recovery Act Award* and ARRA-funded weatherization work warms up a family home)* ■ Jan. 2010 - ACTION reflects on our most successful Project Uplift toy drive ever ■ Dec. 2009 - Senator Bruce Tarr visits a home being weatherized by Energy Services ■ Nov. 2009 - Action opens new satellite offices in Rockport and Ipswich ■ Oct. 2009 - New and improved Action Shelter and affordable housing units now open
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