Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency

Weatherizationthe weatherization assistance program provides services to low and moderate income Racine and Kenosha county residents. The focus of the program is to reduce energy consumption, educate customers in energy conservation techniques and help improve the health and safety of residential buildings while utilizing mechanical measures, inspection, and quality assurance. Services may consist of insulation, pipe wrap, heating system repair or replacement, refrigerator upgrade with energy star products and air sealing. Services are provided continuously throughout all twelve months of the year. 720 individuals in 342 households were served in 2023. The emergency furnace program served 293 households and the water assistance program served 102 households.

Healthy familieshealthy families programs provide services to low income families to promote healthy interactions. Relationships, and lifestyles. Initiatives include breastfeeding and blood lead testing.breastfeeding support is available through one-on-one support, text messaging, home visits, phone calls and group education. In response to increased needs due to the pandemic, hygiene, toiletries, and incontinence bags were distributed to 1,341 low income seniors and diapers and wipes were distributed to 1,167 families. Additional pandemic funding provided rent assistance for 1,661 families and mortgage assistance to 215 families.

Nutrition and food securitythe women, infants and children program (wic) provides food and nutrition information to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under five years of age healthy and strong. Clinics are supported to meet the needs of participating income eligible Kenosha families. In 2023, an average of 3,653 individuals participated in wic each month. Food security programs have increased access to safe, nutritious, and locally grown food for low income families and senior citizens in Racine and Kenosha counties. The emergency food assistance program (tefap) distributed 826,668 pounds of food and leveraged 4,155,667 pounds distributed by participating food pantries to families in need in Racine and Kenosha. Cupboard bound distributed 11,053 boxes of nutritious food and locally grown produce to Racine low income senior citizens. The senior fruit & vegetable voucher project provided 3,438 Kenosha senior citizens with locally grown fresh produce. Holiday food basket distributed 854 baskets and leveraged 1,146 baskets for families, senior citizens and disabled individuals in Racine.

Community service