06/16/2026
La tarde de ayer, lunes 15 de junio, nuestro tesorero y miembro de la mesa directiva estuve presente en Helena-West Helena para una conversación acerca de los retos y oportunidades que están presentes en esta zona del estado.
Durante la conversación estuvieron presentes miembros de la comunidad, servidores públicos, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, personal del sector de salud, educación y desarrollo económico a si como representantes de Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association. Se abordaron temas laborales, de vivienda digna y accesible, movilidad, seguridad alimenticia y educación.
Esta conversación sirvió como base para entender de primera mano los retos que están presentes en nuestro estado. Los siguientes pasos serán analizar y crear un plan de acción viable y sustentable para responder a estas necesidades.
Es importante reconocer que en nuestras comunidades muchos de los retos se pueden resolver con acceso a la información y recursos ya existentes.
Arkansas Unidos y Arkansas Pathways to Self Sufficiency Coalition están comprometidos a mantener un diálogo con la comunidad y buscar opciones y respuestas a los problemas que enfrentan día a día.
Si te gustaría saber más del tema o ser parte del cambio que queremos ver en nuestras comunidades, los invitamos a que acudan a las pláticas que ACAAA mantiene al rededor del estado, o bien, comunicarse a través de mensaje de texto con Arkansas Unidos y recordar que somos más fuertes juntos!
Last night in Helena-West Helena, we witnessed the power of community voice in action.
A heartfelt thank you to Executive Director and ACAAA Board member Jimmy Sanders, the Mid-Delta team, and everyone who helped coordinate and host our Arkansas Pathways to Self-Sufficiency local forum at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. Your leadership and commitment created a space where meaningful dialogue could take place and where local voices could be elevated.
What made the evening so impactful was the variety of perspectives represented around the table. State legislators, local elected officials, educators, community development organizations, community health workers, economic development professionals, community leaders, small business owners, and residents all came together with a shared purpose: to have an honest conversation about the opportunities and challenges facing families and communities across the Delta.
The Arkansas Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Initiative was never designed to be a top-down approach. It was built on the belief that the people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. Last night's conversation reaffirmed that belief. We heard stories of resilience, identified barriers that continue to impact families, and explored opportunities to strengthen systems that support economic mobility, workforce development, education, health, housing, transportation, and community prosperity.
There is tremendous value in listening before leading. When we create space for local voice and local choice, we gain a clearer understanding of what communities need to thrive—not just survive. The insights shared in Helena-West Helena will help shape the work ahead as we continue building a statewide framework that reflects the realities, strengths, and aspirations of Arkansas communities.
The future of Arkansas will not be determined in boardrooms alone. It will be shaped in community centers, classrooms, city halls, churches, businesses, and conversations like the one we experienced last night.
As Community Action continues this journey through Arkansas Pathways to Self-Sufficiency, we remain committed to engaging communities across the state, centering resident voice, strengthening partnerships, and advancing solutions that create lasting impact for generations to come.
The path to self-sufficiency begins with listening, grows through collaboration, and succeeds when communities are empowered to lead the way.
Mid-Delta Community Services, Inc.
