BRCA Community Service Program

Blue Ridge Community Action reaches out to the community by offering a variety of services and programs.  The outreach assistance may include providing emergency support for families in crisis; helping a family access Head Start, day care, improved housing, adult services, or other programs offered by BRCA or other agencies.

BRCA is one of the few agencies routinely knocking on neighborhood doors to survey needs and to provide families with needed information.  Family Needs Assessments help community  service workers determine family needs, family goals, and eligibility for services.

 Clients who receive services through BRCA programs are closely tracked through a centralized intake and data collection system.  Each service a client receives is recorded and the progress the family makes toward self-sufficiency is closely tracked and monitored.   In partnership with area agencies, BRCA's Community Services outreach staff has established a true system of cross-referral to provide clients with additional sources of assistance and services throughout the service area.

The Community Services program also works with low income communities to identify community needs, develop leadership and access programs to meet needs.  Data collected by the community service staff form the basis for new program development within BRCA.  New programs are developed to meet needs expressed by clients, communities, and in the data collection process.  The data collected by BRCA is a critical tool in the advocacy of poverty issues in the community and within the policy making arena.

SOS (Support Our Students) is an after school program for high risk middle school students.  BRCA provides funds for administrative support and scholarships.

For more information, contact the Community Services department at (828) 438-6255 or (828)754-9085.