Grain Valley Assistance Council transitioning services for families in need to Community Services League

The Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC), an affiliate of the Community Services League (CSL) headquartered in Independence, will transition operation of the Grain Valley site to CSL at the end of the year. Donna Compton, current site manager for the Grain Valley location, will end her tenure on December 31st.

Doug Cowan, President & CEO of Community Services League, said the long-standing partnership between the two organizations will ensure a smooth transition.

"The GVAC approached us a while back and said they have discussed their future as an organization and asked if CSL could carry on in Grain Valley. My response was that we would be thrilled to continue providing services in Grain Valley," Cowan said.

"Since the CSL-GVAC partnership started, CSL has covered most of the operational expenses and infrastructure in Grain Valley. We employ the Site Manager, maintain all the technology and communication infrastructure, keep the relationship with Harvesters for food distribution and compliance, and much more. That has complemented the work that GVAC does in engaging the Grain Valley community in supporting the work with gifts of time, talent, and treasure, along with helping the community understand the needs of local residents."

Cowan said CSL plans to continue operations at the Grain Valley office on Wednesdays. 

"Community trust is earned by being consistent and doing what we say we’re going to do. With that in mind, we intend to stay reliably open on Wednesdays. If that ever changes, it will be after we have spoken to the community and engaged them in the decision-making process," Cowan said.

CSL employs approximately 80 staff in six major program areas: Basic Needs, Workforce Development, Financial Coaching, Housing Services, Community Development, and Family Stability. Cowan said each of their location's site managers are skilled in delivering basic needs to families and connecting them to other helpful programs at CSL. For more information on CSL, visit www.cslcares.org.