Community Services Agency  

FEEDING SOLIDARITY AT DAYCON STRIKE
(5/13/2010) With the strike at Daycon now in its third week, solidarity on the picketline remains strong even as economic hard times take their toll. “You’ve got to take a stand somewhere,” Victor Scurry said Tuesday as gray skies threatened the Teamsters 639 picketline circling under the watchful eyes of Daycon’s private security guards. “We’re fighting for future workers here, but I’m trying to figure out how to make my next mortgage payment.” Community Services Agency Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy stopped by the picketline Tuesday to deliver supermarket gift certificates for the strikers, and told Union City that “the need for contributions is greater than ever.” Single mom Lynette Burton (l) provided living proof as she walked the line with her 5-year-old son Herman. “Daycon cut off our medical insurance the day we went on strike, and my son’s medication is very expensive. Thankfully, CSA paid for his pills or I’m not sure what we would have done.” McKirchy said that supporters can organize worksite food drives -- non-perishable food items only -- and collect union supermarket gift cards. Both can be dropped off or mailed to the CSA, earmarked 'IBT Strikers', at 888 16th Street, NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20006. Email kmckirch@dclabor.org for more information.
- report/photo by Chris Garlock


CSA NEWS ARCHIVE

- (2/3/2010) CSA's "News You Can Use": Free Tax Prep For Low-Income Residents
- (1/21/2010) CSA's "News You Can Use": Protecting Against BPA
- (7/10/2009) CSA's "News You Can Use": Vetting Health Sites
- (7/1/2009) CSA's "News You Can Use": Free Financial Advice
- (6/4/2009) CSA's "News You Can Use": Free Workshop On Health Information
- (6/1/2009) CSA's "News You Can Use": Providing For The Basics
- (5/27/2009) CSA's "News You Can Use": Free Foreclosure Assistance

The Community Services Agency is labor’s social services agency whose mission is to improve the lives of workers and their families by meeting their human and social services needs; by building broad and diverse coalitions  to promote and protect dignity and justice for workers; and by empowering workers and their unions to make their communities better places to live, work, raise a family and retire.

CSA covers Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia.  As part of the AFL-CIO Community Services Network, CSA has access to the extensive United Way/Labor network across the country and can make referrals for workers in any state.

- Executive Director:
Kathleen McKirchy 
kmckirch@dclabor.org
202-974-8221 (office)
202-974-8152 (fax)

- Building Futures Coordinator, Bilingual Services:
Sylvia Casaro Dietert
scasaro@dclabor.org
202-974-8223 (office)

CSA programs include:
· Information and referral for any social services problem
· Emergency Assistance Fund for eligible workers: click here for full details!
· Lay-off Preparation and Support including resume preparation and job search assistance
· Building Futures, a building trades outreach and recruitment program for DC and metro area residents. Click here for more information.

The Building Futures program provides pre-apprenticeship training classes for those interested in careers in construction, along with placement assistance into registered union apprenticeship programs and jobs in the industry. Requirements include High School Diploma or GED, valid driver’s license or learner’s permit, 18 years of age or older, must be drug- free.  Current funders for this program include the General Services Administration and the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative of the Community Foundation.  Current partners include Covenant House Washington, Wider Opportunities for Women, Prince George’s Community College, the Mechanical Contractors Association and the Associated General Contractors of DC.

For information call:

Project Director Tony Johnson, 202-610-9623

Recruitment Coordinator Karen Douglas, 202-610-9631

Client Services Coordinator Sylvia Casaro-Dietert, 202 974-8223

Job Development Coordinator Jenna Gold, 202-974-8157

Kathleen McKirchy, Executive Director, 202 974-8221

WOW Case Manager Dossi Toviessi, 202-610-9649

CH Care Manager Carmona Ross, 202-610-6506

Administrative Assistant Melvey Brown, 202-610-9642


DONATE NOW! 
Click here to donate to CSA

DOWNLOAD UPDATED DONATION FLIERS!
United Way Donation Flier
DC One Fund Donation Flier
Combined Federal Campaigns Donation Flier

CSA relies on the support of workers, their unions, and the general public.  CSA can be supported through the United Way, DC One Fund, Combined Federal Campaigns, and the Maryland Charity Campaign. 

PLEASE DESIGNATE NUMBER

· 8253 for UNITED WAY and DC ONE FUND

· 19579 for COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

· 9320 for MARYLAND CHARITY CAMPAIGN

· 8396 for COMBINED VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN

To donate to CSA online, click here.
All donations are tax-deductible and are really greatly appreciated!

UNITED WAY FALL CAMPAIGN
When financial crisis hits home for local union members, the Community Services Agency (CSA) of the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO is there to help. CSA assists with evictions, utility shut-offs, empty cupboards and more. But without your support, CSA’s cupboard will run bare! Make sure CSA can continue being there to help by supporting the agency through this Fall’s United Way, CFC and other workplace fundraising campaigns. Please support the Community Services Agency; all contributions are tax-deductible. United Way and DC ONE Fund Campaign Agency Number 8253; Combined Federal Campaign Number 19579; Maryland Charity Campaign Number 9320; Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Number 8396. Click on the images below to download ready-to-post ads.