Callaway County spoke, and now Central Missouri Community Action is working to respond.
Beginning June 8, CMCA will hold a series of three focus group meetings on the issues identified during the Community Conversations held and surveys distributed in February. Local leaders and community members chose safe and affordable housing, job skills training and employment opportunities with upward mobility as the county's biggest needs.
"CMCA will be hosting Focus Groups beginning in June for each of these 'needs' to identify the assumptions, goals, solutions and implement initiatives in Callaway, just as the Callaway Resource Network has began the Fulton AEL classes (HiSET Initiative) and Community Health Center in Callaway County," Kellie Pontius, of CMCA, said.
The focus groups will include members of local charities and organizations, who will plan solutions and initiatives to address those needs, Pontius said.
Community Conversations take place every three years, and in the past have launched initiatives like a teeth fluoridation program at local schools.
The focus groups will be at the CMCA Callaway Family Resource Center (610 Collier Lane, Fulton) on the following dates:
Safe and Affordable Housing: June 8, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Job Skills Training: June 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Employment/Income: June 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
To join a focus group, contact Pontius at [email protected]