New River Community Action needs volunteers for move on Saturday

By Wanda Combs
Editor

The Board of Directors is still considering its options in dealing with the New River Community Action building in Floyd. A leaky roof has made it necessary to move programs and other meetings out of the building.  In the meantime, a moving day has been scheduled for this Saturday, and community help is being requested.
The roof was patched after it was severely damaged by a hail storm last Spring, but the patch didn’t hold in the recent winter weather. Water has been coming into the building, but the staff and volunteers “have performed extraordinarily in terms of protecting things and boxing things up,” said Terry Smusz, executive director of NRCA.
The building houses several NRCA programs and serves as a meeting site for various community groups.
Smusz said there are immediate, short term and long term approaches that address the building problem.
NRCA’s emergency assistance program is now operating out of the Department of Social Services from 9 until 12 Monday through Friday. Staff involved with the Children’s Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) and the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP) have been working out of their homes and packing things up. The Head Start program is now working through a home-based option and will be doing some socializations and parent meetings at the Floyd Baptist Church.
For the short term, Smusz said, the emergency assistance program, CHIP, RSVP and office space for Head Start will be moved to the Jacksonville Center campus, where the Tri-Area Community Health Center at Floyd was located prior to their move this month.
“We are just extremely grateful to the Jacksonville Center for helping us with such short notice,” Smusz remarked.
John McEnhill, the Center’s director, said the Center was very pleased to be of service at this time and help NRCA and the non-profit agencies.
The move will take place this Saturday, and Smusz said, “We would love community volunteer help.” If interested citizens (only those high school age or older) should call Nelthia Barton at 745-2102 or 745-9316 (weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon). Volunteers will meet at the current NRCA site at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“When we move to our new site on the Jacksonville Center campus, we will have the same phone number – 745-2102,” Smusz added.
Several local groups, including the Floyd County Humane Society, Weight Watchers, and others also must make other arrangements for their meetings.
As far as a long term goal for the building is concerned, Smusz said a decision has not yet been made by the Board of Directors. “I think a decision will be made quickly.”
An insurance claim for the roof has been filed. Smusz said there is no significant damage inside the building, but participants and clients in need of service are not being allowed in the building at this time.