Many people drive past the beautiful building at 410 West Main Street in West Frankfort each day, but few go inside. Those that do are usually looking for help. And they chose the right place, because the agency helps hundreds of people each year in many ways.
Members of the West Frankfort Lions Club learned all about the human services available at Crosswalk Thursday, when the organization's executive director was the keynote speaker at their luncheon meeting.
Debra Jackanicz articulately laid out the many services available to those in need, as well as the background and history of the four-county agency.
Crosswalk Community Action Agency was established January 1, 2000 as a result of a merger between Big Muddy Community Action Agency and Volunteer Services. Outreach sites are also located in Jefferson, Williamson and Jackson counties. Specifically, Mt. Vernon, Marion, Carbondale and Murphysboro with a total of 39 staff members.
The agency administers federal and state funded programs geared to assist the economically disadvantaged. “The agency's mission is to assist in the elimination of the causes and effects of poverty within our jurisdiction,” Jackanicz said.
The need is obviously there.
The director said that when the availability of some of the programs is announced, people will line up as early as 11 p.m. the night before. Some of the grants will give help to as many as 7,000 households.
For more on this story, pick up a print copy of the Friday edition of the Daily American.
