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April 25, 2012
St. Mary Parish’s Community Action Agency celebrated its 45th anniversary by taking an opportunity to announce its award of a grant to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Delta Regional Authority and the Douglas C. Green Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship awarded an Operation Jumpstart Grant to the agency, which will allow the St. Mary CAA to train, support and to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs who fall into certain income guidelines.
Almetra J. Franklin, chief executive officer of St. Mary CAA, said her agency would use their funds to, “increase the number of new business ventures, as well as to provide technical support and assistance.”
“We’re going to teach classes on innovation development and research, entrepreneurship education, training and mentorship, and business incubation and development,” she said.
This Operation Jumpstart Grant comes in the wake of the St. Mary CAA’s receiving a $225,000 grant last month, to help parish residents put their lives back together as a result of having been impacted by the 2010 BP Oil Spill.
“I count it all joy,” Franklin said.
St. Mary CAA had a $12.5 million budget in 2011, which Franklin said ballooned from its first budget of $123,000 in 1965.
During the 2011-2012 year, the agency served 7,322 people with 42 programs.
“Our vision is to meet the needs of the community, and to assist families and individuals in becoming self-sufficient. To that end, we weatherized 70 homes, paid utility bills, graduated culinary school students, and provided small business loans. We also partnered with five area banks on various projects,” she said.
Board President Augustine Grogan said the agency, “Lights the way for a brighter community, while making a difference.”
St. Mary Chamber President Donna Meyer agreed and said the group, “Does so much, for so many.”
Dr. Gary Wiltz, CEO of Teche Action Clinic, said a picture of Franklin belongs in the dictionary under the definition of “multitask”.
“She embodies what a multitasker should be,” he said. “Then, there’s what this agency means to St. Mary Parish. Well, with a $12.5 million budget, given the fact that it’s common knowledge that money turns over at least seven times in any community, I say kudos to St. Mary CAA for giving this parish an $85 million impact. Now that’s not too shabby.”
Wiltz said programs like the St. Mary CAA and Teche Action Clinic, were born out of the U.S. Congress’ declaration of the War on Poverty in 1965.
“Their purpose was not dictating from Washington DC, not dictating from State Capitals, but to empower the local community with local boards comprised of local people, trying to solve local problems while being good stewards with the federal dollars they have been given,” he said. “Now we’re both facing some clouds that are gathering in Washington, which say this is a misuse of public funds, and a misuse of public dollars.
“We say we’re here, and we’re a fine and great example of federal dollars being used by local folks,” Wiltz said. “And if you had to put a price tag on that, we’ll it is priceless.”
Guizeny Brent, director of Special Services for the St. Mary Parish School Board, said she partners with the St. Mary CAA, because, “We maximize our resources when we work together with a common vision.”
Persons who fall into certain income categories who wish to start their own business and want to seek help from the St. Mary Parish Community Action, can Karen Artis at (337) 828-5703.
St. Mary Community Action offers programs in and to: utility assistance, economic development, job readiness, Senior services, Weatherization, Head Start, housing, summer feeding, transportation, and income tax preparation.
Also, anyone who has been impacted by the BP Oil Spill, and can prove their economic hardship with accurate records is invited to contact Andrea Broussard, at (337) 828-5703.
St. Mary Parish Community Action honored the parish’s mayors at its 45th Annual Committee Banquet. Pictured from left are Town of Baldwin Mayor Wayne Breaux, Morgan City Mayor Tim Matte, and Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan. Not pictured are Berwick Mayor Louis Ratcliff and Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris.
