Brazos Valley Community Action Agency (BVCAA) & Project Unity Partnership

If you have a job, you should be able to make ends meet. Brazos County had an unemployment rate of 3.6% in 2007; however, more and more families are not able to provide for their most basic needs. The Brazos Valley unemployment rate of 3.6% indicates that the majority of able bodied citizens are in fact employed; however, the wages they are receiving fall desperately short of having basic needs met. BVCAA and Project Unity have joined forces to provide relief to those in need.

Brazos Valley Community Action Agency's (BVCAA) mission is to transition people out of poverty and Project Unity's mission is to strengthen and preserve families by providing comprehensive case management services across housing, health, employment, education, and basic needs. BVCAA and Project Unity have come together to share all resources including financial assistance, facilities, staff, technology and expertise to find better ways of providing services to persons living in poverty. Whether they are elderly, disabled, or parents, BVCAA and Project Unity believe persons living in poverty have a better chance of overcoming the overwhelming odds against them with a unified systems approach from the organizations they are seeking help from. The BVCAA-Project Unity Partnership reaches out the following counties: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Washington, Walker, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers.

The following programs are offered through the BVCAA-Project Unity Partnership:

• Energy Housing Assistance Program: BVCAA staff are located alongside Project Unity staff within the seven county region to provide energy housing assistance to income eligible individuals and families. Case Managements provide emergency crisis intervention, information, and referral services. Energy assistance is provided for the elderly/disabled and persons eligible for the co-pay program and individuals impacted by a weather crisis. Energy housing expenses are paid to approved energy providers in the region, and if interested, individuals are referred to BVCAA Weatherization and Appliance Replacement programs during their initial assessment. Food and other basic needs assistance are also provided at each BVCAA-Project Unity Partnership location. For more information, call 979-595-2910.
  

• Individual Development Account Program: A BVCAA case manager is located at Project Unity providing financial literacy and assistance to income eligible individuals. This program assists individuals in establishing banking relations and checking/savings accounts, improving credit scores, and reducing debt. The participating individuals are required to attend financial literacy education classes. Participants who invest money into their savings accounts will have their investments matched by BVCAA and United Way of the Brazos Valley and for every dollar invested by participants into savings accounts, BVCAA and United Way will invest $2.00. This money can then be used for educational assistance, start up assistance for a new business, or a down payment assistance on a home. For more information call Jessycah Smith at 979-595-2910 or email her at jsmith@bvcaa.org

• Medical Case Management Program: Two Project Unity case managers are located at BVCAA’s Community Health Center providing referrals for patients who require specialized care. Specialists in the areas of urology, radiology, endocrinology, podiatry, gynecology, cardiology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, and gastrology are often required to further protect the health of the federally-qualified Community Health Center patients.

• Head Start Transportation Program: Project Unity provides transportation services within the seven county region for BVCAA Head Start children with identified medical needs. These children are transported to regular play therapy sessions and medical appointments.

Funding and Support
Brazos Valley Community Action Agency (BVCAA)
Project Unity
Texas Department of Community and Housing Affairs Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families
United Way of the Brazos Valley
Citibank
City of Bryan
City of College Station
ATMOS
Bryan Texas Utilities
Christ United Methodist Church
First Presbyterian Church