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New Prayer Opportunity executive director outlines CSBG, weatherization and job-training work to supervisors
Summary
Dr. Frederick Hickman, the new executive director of Prayer Opportunity, presented the nonprofit’s programs — including CSBG-funded job training, LIHEAP and weatherization — and solicited partnerships with the county. The board accepted the presentation unanimously.
Dr. Frederick Hickman, newly named executive director of the nonprofit Prayer Opportunity, addressed the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors during the Feb. 20 meeting to outline services the organization provides, including Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)-funded job training, LIHEAP and a weatherization program.
Hickman described the agency’s long history serving multiple counties, said the organization is helping clients with immediate utility needs through an “Atmos Blitz” and explained how CSBG funds are used to support job training and wraparound services. He said the organization partners with local employers and banks to move participants toward employment, credit building and, ultimately, home ownership.
Hickman told the board Prayer Opportunity operates weatherization and utility-assistance efforts across several counties and cited a weatherization result where an older home’s monthly energy bill dropped “from around $600 a month” to about $200 a month after insulation and other improvements. He also said the group recently reached “almost 67 people” through a utility-bill assistance blitz funded by a corporate partner and LIHEAP eligibility.
The executive director described a pathway program with a local employer (identified in the presentation as Benton, an HVAC employer) and a “Credit Plus” partnership with BankPlus to help program graduates become creditworthy. He said CSBG dollars are intended to help people who are working or enrolled in training stay employed and move toward self-sufficiency, and he described apprenticeships and partnerships with employers in the region.
Board members asked how Prayer Opportunity coordinates child care and preschool services; Hickman replied the nonprofit does not operate preschool directly but partners with other agencies and programs that can help with tuition and childcare subsidies. He said weatherization apprentices and case-worker apprentices have just started training under a Mississippi Apprenticeship Program partnership.
After the presentation, Supervisor Williams moved to accept the presentation and Supervisor Lewis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Prayer Opportunity’s CSBG and LIHEAP work provides immediate assistance for low-income residents and pays for job training and weatherization that can deliver sustained reductions in household utility costs. Supervisors said they welcomed the organization’s offer to expand partnerships and asked staff to keep partnership lines open.
Speakers in the record and quoted below are listed in the speaker roster.
