News

Skyline CAP Head Start Families Receive Heartwarming Holiday Donations

Madison, VA – [December 20, 2024] – Skyline CAP is thrilled to announce an outpouring of generosity from our community partners, bringing joy and support to our Head Start families this holiday season. Among the numerous thoughtful contributions, a remarkable donation of 38 brand-new bicycles from Toys for Tots has made an extraordinary impact on families in Warren County.

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many of our Head Start families,” said Gunnar Cain, Assistant Head Start Director for Skyline CAP. “Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Toys for Tots and our other community partners, we are able to provide a brighter and more joyous holiday season for the children and their families.”

In addition to the bicycles, community partners have provided various other contributions, including warm clothing, toys, books, and food, ensuring that every family has the resources they need to celebrate the holiday season. Partners making contributions include Oak Grove Fellowship Church, Piedmont Episcopal Church, Our Lady of the Blue Ridge, Madison Lions Club, Madison Jazzercise, Madison Presbyterian, Girl Scout Troop #573, Anytime Fitness Ruckersville, Greene County Woman’s Club, Toys for Tots, Emmanuel Lutheran and Pastor Nate Robinson, Frank King, and Timmy Brogan These gifts symbolize the unwavering support and commitment to the well-being of local families by their communities.

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Skyline CAP Opens New Office in Madison

Madison, Va. – (October 30, 2024) – Skyline CAP celebrated the grand opening of its new office at 534 S. Main Street in Madison, Va. with a ribbon-cutting event, marking an important expansion and increase in capacity to serve the local community.

“This is an exciting step forward for Skyline CAP as we open our new offices dedicated to supporting our Housing Program and Human Resources activities,” said Simon Fiscus, Skyline CAP executive director. “This space represents not only our commitment to expanding resources but also to creating an accessible and welcoming environment for the community members we serve.”

Skyline CAP, a key provider of education and housing services in the region, welcomed community members, local officials, and partners to the new facility, which is strategically located to better reach and assist residents. The agency’s housing program offers affordable housing resources, support for renters, and initiatives to prevent homelessness, supporting the organization’s mission of empowering individuals and families to improve their quality of life. The new office will also serve as the hub for Skyline CAP’s Human Resources team.

The new location underscores Skyline CAP’s commitment to accessibility and impact. With improved office space, the team looks forward to enhancing service delivery, promoting local partnerships, and fostering community development.

Skyline CAP Receives Grant for Healthy Families Program

Madison, Va – (May 10, 2024) – The Community Awareness of Rappahannock Electric Charity, Inc. (CARE) Board has selected Skyline CAP to receive a grant from The Power of Change (TPOC) fund in the amount of $3,500. The funding is designated to Skyline CAP’s Healthy Families SAFE (Safety Advances Family Empowerment) program which will receive a $2,000 agency match in funding. TPOC funding is made possible through the generosity of the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) member-owners who round-up their electric bills to the nearest dollar with the difference contributed to the fund to go toward grants to nonprofit charities within REC’s service area.

The Healthy Families program is designed to help families navigate the challenges of parenting and equip them with the tools and resources they need to create strong, lifelong relationships with their children. A key component of the program is observation of home environments, and child safety plays a significant role in the process. Observations during home visits often reveal that parents lack both the knowledge and resources to keep their children safe in the home. These observations, coupled with information gathered from the community, sparked the idea for SAFE which was launched in 2022. To date, the program has served 51 families, providing a preemptive measure to ensure the safety of their babies and children.

Skyline CAP's Healthy Families Program Accredited for Quality Service by Prevent Child Abuse America

MADISON, VA – (Feb. 26, 2024) – Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced today that the Healthy Families America (HFA) affiliate, Healthy Families Skyline CAP, has been accredited as a provider of high-quality home visiting services to pregnant families and families with infants and young children.

HFA is the signature program of PCA America and has been providing home visiting services for nearly 30 years. Expectant and new parents are facing new stressors and have questions about their child’s development. HFA connects with families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to support parents, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home. HFA is an accessible, voluntary, and well received service.

“While achieving this accreditation is a significant milestone, it’s crucial to remember that our commitment to excellence in safeguarding children and families is an ongoing journey,” said Cathy Benner, Healthy Families Skyline Program Manager. “This recognition not only validates our dedication but also fuels our passion to continuously improve and innovate in our mission to create a safer and nurturing environment for every child.”

Skyline CAP’s Healthy Families program has been helping parents create a healthy home for baby and navigate the challenges of parenting since 2018. The team provides home-visiting services to families in Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.

>> Press Release

Skyline CAP Honored at Hometown Heroes Community Awards Celebration

Organization of the Year Award recognizes agency’s commitment to helping people and changing lives

MADISON, VA – (Feb. 19, 2024) – Skyline CAP, Inc. was presented with the Organization of the Year award at the Hometown Heroes Community Awards Gala held in Madison, Va. on Saturday, February 17, 2024. The Organization of the Year Award honors the efforts, commitment, and innovative initiatives of a non-profit that has made a significant difference in the lives of those it serves and the broader community it impacts. The recognition is part of the Hometown Heroes Community Awards program that celebrates individuals, organizations, and businesses who make Madison County a great community and is sponsored by Madison County Parks and Recreation and Support Hoover Ridge, Inc.

“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive the Hometown Heroes Organization of the Year award,” said Simon Fiscus, Skyline CAP Executive Director. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, volunteers, and supporters who tirelessly contribute to our mission of helping people and changing lives. On behalf of the entire Skyline CAP organization, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the community and all those who have been instrumental in our journey.”

Last year, Skyline CAP served 1,791 individuals in 17 counties – 370 of them in Madison County. The community action agency’s education and housing programs are designed to help individuals and families overcome the impact of poverty and become self-sufficient.

“Skyline CAP’s programs and services, coupled with the invaluable support of our dedicated community partners and volunteers, exemplify the power of collective effort and shared commitment,” said Pamela Frederick, President of Skyline CAP’s Board of Directors. “Together, we strive to make a meaningful impact, fostering a sense of belonging, support, and positive change within our community.”

In Madison County, Skyline CAP operates two Head Start classrooms to promote school readiness for 3- and 4-year-old children and support overall family well-being, and its Healthy Families program works with new and expectant families, providing home-based family support and coaching services to help them meet the challenges of parenting and create stable, nurturing environments for their children. The agency also works with middle and high school students through Project Discovery, a post-secondary education and career readiness program that encourages students to graduate from high school and provides resources to help them achieve success. In addition, Skyline CAP owns and maintains a total of 10 affordable housing units in Madison and provides housing counseling services, rental assistance, and emergency home repair to the county’s low-income residents.

>>Press Release

Skyline CAP receives Bama Works Grant to Support Emergency Home Repair Program

MADISON, VA – (June 29, 2023) – Skyline CAP is excited to announce that we have been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Bama Works Fund to use toward projects in our Emergency Home Repair Program (EHRP) in Greene and Orange counties. The Bama Works Fund was established by Dave Matthews Band in 1999 to support “a wide range of efforts to build a more equitable, resilient, and environmentally sound world,” according to its website.

EHRP offers basic health and safety repairs to homeowners with incomes that are 50% of the median for their county. Priority is given to seniors and people with disabilities.

“The cost of home projects – even the most basic health and safety modifications – have increased to a point where lower-income homeowners just can’t afford the expense of making repairs to their homes,” said Kim Rucker, Housing Manager for Skyline CAP. “Our Emergency Home Repair Program offers a solution for addressing critical home repair needs for people who can’t afford them, but we can only help if funding is available. A grant like this from Bama Works will go a long way toward helping homeowners improve the health and safety of their living environments and, in some cases, may even allow them to remain in their homes as they age.”

Skyline CAP’s Emergency Home Repair Program has been in operation since 1994 and has assisted more than 250 low-income homeowners. If you know someone who qualifies and needs assistance, please have them contact Kim Rucker at 540-948-3916, extension 350, or housingmanager@skylinecap.org.

Skyline CAP and People Incorporated to host Bridging the Digital Divide community forums

To register for a forum, scan the QR code or click here: wkf.ms/3KFALj3.

MADISON, VA – (May 3, 2023) – Skyline CAP has partnered with People Incorporated to host a series of Bridging the Digital Divide community forums to hear directly from community members about challenges to accessing broadband internet and digital devices. The hour-long forums are open to the public with opportunities to be entered to win a raffle prize.

The current schedule for Skyline CAP’s service area is:

May 6, 10 a.m. – Greene County Library
May 15, 7 p.m. – Online
May 25, 10 a.m. – Madison County American Legion Post 157
June 6, 6 p.m. – Orange County Library

Registration for the forums is not required but is encouraged. Community members can register by visiting peopleinc.net/news and navigating to the registration page or by entering wkf.ms/3KFALj3 in their browser.

Feedback collected during the forum will be used to help develop the statewide Commonwealth Digital Opportunity plan in partnership with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Download flyers to post in your workplace to help spread the word:

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New homes will help ease cost burden for low-income families

AUGUST 4, 2022 – Skyline CAP board members and staff gathered recently to celebrate completion of the two Stanardsville homes that will provide affordable housing for two area families. Pam Frederick, president of Skyline CAP’s board of directors, did the honor of cutting the ribbon on one of the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes.

“The lack of safe and affordable housing in our area is alarming,” said Rachel Henderson, Skyline CAP Housing Director, who pointed out that many low-income households spend more than half their income on housing, leaving far less money for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medicine. “These homes will provide much-needed housing stability for families in need.”

Skyline CAP to expand affordable housing in Madison County

JULY 29, 2022 – Skyline CAP is pleased to announce the purchase of the five-unit apartment building known as Barbara’s House from Madison Emergency Services Association (MESA) in Madison, Va. Located directly behind Skyline CAP’s administrative offices, the property will be renovated for use as much-needed affordable housing. Skyline CAP is working with Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission (RRRC) to secure a grant that will cover a portion of the purchase price as well as minor modifications.

“MESA approached us last year to see if we would be interested in purchasing the property because we share a common vision of helping people in need in Madison County,” said Simon Fiscus, Skyline CAP Executive Director. “The proposal was presented to our board of directors as an opportunity to increase the number of affordable housing units in Madison, and they enthusiastically agreed to the purchase.”

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Skyline CAP renames property in memory of long-time employee

July 19, 2022 – Stanardsville, Va. – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, family members, friends and staff gathered in front of Skyline CAP’s apartments in Stanardsville for the unveiling of a sign with the property’s new name in memory of long-time employee Jack Naylor. Previously named Jack Russell Apartments for the road where it is located, the new name of Jack Naylor Apartments pays homage to Naylor and the work he did on behalf of the community. The veil covering the sign was removed by Naylor’s widow, Peggy Naylor, and son, Jesse Naylor, to reveal the new name of Jack Naylor Apartments.

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Skyline CAP Receives Grants for Healthy Families Program

May 2022 – Skyline Community Action Partnership, Inc., has been awarded $6,000 in grants by local community foundations to support a new Healthy Families safety program to begin this summer. Officially dubbed SAFE (Safety Advances Family Empowerment), the program aims to improve safety in the home environments of families with babies and young children. A $3,000 grant from Culpeper Wellness Foundation’s Healthy Living grant will help fund the program’s activities in Madison and Orange counties, and a $3,000 grant from Northern Piedmont Community Foundation’s Community Assistance grant will fund activities in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties. Matching funds totaling $4,000 from Skyline CAP will round out the program budget of $10,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022.

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Skyline CAP receives grant from REC The Power of Change

May 2022 – Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) has awarded Skyline CAP’s Emergency Home Repair Program a $5,000 grant to be used to improve the health and safety of homes in our communities.

“Skyline CAP is thrilled to be chosen as a grant recipient of The Power of Change program, ” said Simon Fiscus, Skyline CAP executive director. “We look forward to reinvesting these funds in our communities to help people in need.”

The funds will be used for home repairs and modifications to improve health and safety issues for low-income homeowners. Projects typically involve minor plumbing, electrical, and roof repairs. Modifications are associated with improving accessibility for the homeowner and include installation of wheelchair ramps and grab bars in bathrooms. Priority is given to applicants who are elderly and/or living with disabilities.

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Skyline CAP Donates Surplus Laptop Computers to Local High School Seniors

March 31, 2022 – Faced with a small surplus of unused laptop computers, Skyline CAP has devised a program to donate the equipment to high school seniors looking to further their education after graduation.

“Most computers have a warranty period of three years, and Skyline CAP’s policy is to replace the equipment following warranty expiration,” said Simon Fiscus, Executive Director. “This keeps our equipment and our employees working at optimal levels and without the disruptions that may come from using outdated equipment. Unfortunately, this solution created a new problem of what to do with the old equipment.”

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Skyline CAP Selects Assistant Head Start Director

September 1, 2020 – Skyline Community Action Partnership is happy to announce that Erica Hamilton has joined its Head Start team as Assistant Director. In this new role, Ms. Hamilton will provide oversight of the implementation and administration of Skyline’s Head Start program offered in Greene, Madison, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties.

Ms. Hamilton has extensive experience working with at-risk youth to provide behavior management strategies through a trauma-informed care approach. Most recently, she worked as a Foster Care Case Manager with Health Connect America (HCA), providing direct therapeutic service to children in foster homes. Prior to that, she served as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor with HCA, providing services in the school setting to children and adolescents, an Intensive In-Home Counselor and a Behavioral Coach.

Ms. Hamilton holds a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is certified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional by the Virginia Board of Counseling and in Trust-Based Relational Intervention.

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American Woodmark continues support of Skyline's Emergency Home Repair Program

August 2020 – Skyline CAP is grateful to American Woodmark Foundation Orange Plant for its continued support of our Emergency Home Repair Program through a grant of $2,000. This much-needed funding will support income-eligible homeowners with basic health and safety repairs, allowing them to continue to live in safe and accessible homes. Priority for the Emergency Home Repair Program is given to income-eligible seniors and those living with disabilities. For more information, visit http://skylinecap.org/housing or call 540-948-3916, ext. 350.