Alliance Community Outreach Program (ACOP): Profiles in Community

This posting marks the second of many to highlight the accomplishments of The Ohio Benefit Bank sites where Capacity Building events sponsored by the partnership between the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio took place.



Each of these wonderful organizations goes above and beyond to provide those in need with access to basic services such as food, clothing, sometimes shelter and always compassion and understanding.
As such, I just wanted to summarize all the diligent and much-needed work these groups do. Please read the bullet pointed summary below and add your two-cents!

The Alliance Community Outreach Program in Warren, Ohio had its OBB/HealthPath event at the Hippodrome Banquet Center on August 5.

Nearly 15 guests attended the event, including representatives from the Trumbull County Job and Family Services, the United Way and a local mayor.

Representatives from ACOP and the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services talk about The Ohio Benefit Bank after the presentation Aug. 5 at the Hippodrome Banquet Center in Warren. Photo Credit: Jessica J. Burchard.

A table of guests sit at a table in the Hippodrome Banquet Center on Aug. 5 in Warren. Those pictured include Charlene Allen, executive director of ACOP, a representative from the local United Way and two staffers from the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services. Photo Credit: Jessica J. Burchard.

• Organization: Alliance Community Outreach Program (ACOP) is located at 2051 Niles Road Southeast, Warren, OH 44484.

• Services: ACOP is an existing OBB site with full-time staffers and volunteers certified as counselors that assist individuals and families with a range of needs. For example, ACOP offers programs targeting youth such as tutoring and after-school programs, adult programs such as computer classes and health workshops, family benefits such as limited food and clothing distributions and senior citizen programs such as age-specific health programs.

• Clients Helped: In 2009, ACOP completed 52 OBB applications. That number is expected to triple in 2010.

• Community Partnerships: ACOP collaborates with 15 organizations in addition to OBB. Among them are Employing and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), Warren City Schools, Trumbull County NAACP, Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, and the Trumbull County Health Department.

• HealthPath Grant Usage: The $2,500 grant from HealthPath will go toward expanding ACOP’s community outreach of the OBB through allowing more traveling, more mailings and more professional development opportunities.

• Staffing: ACOP has one full-time staffer, nearly 30 volunteers and several part-time workers from Senior Employment Services.

Source: Charlene Allen, Executive Director of ACOP.