By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
Coahoma Opportunities Inc. celebrated Community Action and Older Americans months, both in May, at the Coahoma County Expo Center on Friday morning.
“The month of May is Community Action Month, where all the community action agencies across Mississippi celebrate all the things that we do to help the citizens of Coahoma County become self-sufficient,” said Lowanda Tyler, Director of LIHEAP/Community Development Block Grant at Coahoma Opportunities Inc.
“Today, we’re having our celebration and we’re also including Older Americans Month, which is in May as well. We’re just trying to celebrate this month and let the community know that we appreciate them and we’re here for them.”
Lunch was provided, and the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office sponsored all of the food.
Local organizations from the community had booths at the event. Urgent & Primary Care Clinic of Clarksdale conducted blood pressure checks, sugar checks, and administered COVID vaccines to anyone who hadn’t taken them. Coahoma Opportunities Inc. Head Start and Coahoma Community College enrolled students at their booths. Strategic Solutions, the Boys & Girls Club, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Red River Credit Union, Democratic Party for Women, and the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office all had booths.
AmeriCorps Senior RSVP Board Member, Amanda Dear-Jones, served as the program guide. AmeriCorps Senior RSVP Board Member, Evangelist Loretta Bryant, led the prayer and benediction. The praise team of Federation Towers, a low-income housing facility for the elderly and handicapped, performed the National Anthem and sang a song. Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy delivered the welcome address. Federation Towers Property Manager Lisa Campbell acknowledged the occasion of Older Americans Month. Coahoma County Sheriff Charles Jones recognized the sponsors. State Rep. Orlando Paden conducted the recognition. Executive Director of Coahoma Opportunities Inc., Ed Seals, and AmeriCorps Senior RSVP Director, Dr. Mary Frances Dear-Moton, provided remarks.
