New Tableland executive director wants to empower, not enable those in need

SOMERSET ― "Empower" not "enable" is what Anne Garrison wants to emphasize as the new executive director of Tableland Services Inc.

"Helping the neediest of the needy can be overwhelming," she said. "We want to be empowering rather than enabling them. We're bettering our community, helping the citizens to be prosperous."

Garrison has been the executive director for six months, taking the reins from retired executive director Dave Mrozowski.

"It definitely was an easy transition. I spent time with Dave to get to know the programs," she said. "Being able to help our whole agency is awesome."

Garrison was the director of Tableland's Early Childhood Education program from 2015. Before that, she was the principal of Zeb Vance Elementary in Henderson, North Carolina. As the director at Tableland, Garrison was responsible for implementing and monitoring Head Start, Early Head Start, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, PreK Counts and The Family Center’s early childhood experiences through Somerset County.

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What does Tableland Services do?

Tableland Services Inc., The Community Action Partnership for Somerset County, 535 E. Main St., Somerset, helps people in the community through Community Action. It is committed to providing opportunities for individuals to meet basic needs, achieve their goals and discover their potential.

Garrison said the organization works to "give more power to the people who want to come here for help. They have a lot of vulnerability. The staff can recognize that and make people more comfortable about their future. They are not judged. Our team shows them they have a safe and happy environment when they come in. A lot don't have a computer. We're helping them to have a voice."

And that's the purpose of Tableland.

"The glory of Tableland is we are here to help the community, help the individuals to get to be productive as citizens," Garrison said. "Social services help with people struggling and feel they can't get out. They help them to understand they can do it on their own."

Tableland Services provides a variety of help and education for those who need it.

"Our programs include housing, weatherization, early childhood, transportation, community services. Because of COVID some programs discontinued, but some are still here," Garrison said. "So many people lost jobs. ERAP is still here, where we can assist people with rent and utilities. They have to show they are eligible. We have to follow our parameters."

Garrison said Tableland is a grant-funded agency and can receive 50 grants from thousands to millions of dollars each year to help those in need.

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Working with other agencies

Garrison said she looks forward to working with other agencies in Somerset County to provide help to those in need.

"We have five volunteer tax preparers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to do taxes for those who qualify," she said. "We expect to do 1,000 tax returns this year. People need to know it's here. Next year we hope to partner with the Area Agency on Aging (on more programs)."

Taking care of those who help others

Right now Tableland Services is making some changes in its building to help the staff have better use of the facilities.

"We're making adjustments in the building. It really is a payoff to our staff," she said. "We have a wellness space for our staff because they need to be able to walk away, clear their minds, put yourself first. The representatives always put others first, but we have to be able to help ourselves first."

For those who need or have questions about the services Tableland provides, call 814-445-9628, 1-800-452-0148, check the website www.tableland.org or www.facebookcom/tableland.capfsc.

"Empowerment in our hearts makes a positive impact on people around us," Garrison said. "We're working in their home, helping them. My glory is watching others succeed."

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What can Tableland Services Inc. do?

Tableland Services provides a variety of services in different aspects of everyday living.

They include:

Community Services: Project Home Grown Community Garden, a wellness program designed to teach basic life skills, wellness and growth. IdentoGo Finger Printing Services; VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance where IRS-trained volunteer tax preparers provide free basic income tax preparation for residents with low to moderate income. Emergency food and shelter programs.

Housing and homeless assistance: HAP the Homeless Assistance Program; supportive housing programs designed to bridge the homeless into permanent housing; Human Services Development Fund Life Skills Program.

Employment and training programs: WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, provides career planning and intensive workforce development services; WIOA Young Adult Program provides intensive program services to adults between 18-24 years of age with career planning; Employment Advancement Retention Network EARN, in partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to assist individuals and families rise out of poverty; Pardon Project of Somerset County for those who's criminal record is creating a problem for their future.

Weatherization: The weatherization program provides energy conservation measures for houses and mobile homes to reduce heating costs; Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP for homeowners who are referred by the assistance office to receive emergency furnace repair or replacement; First Energy Warm Program for customers who are eligible to receive energy savings assistance; utility assistance.

Early Childhodd Education: the programs provide ways for young children to grow physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally. Services include infant/toddler home visits, preschool education, special needs, transition to public school, parent involvement, social services, mental health, nutrition, and transportation. Head Start for children ages 3 and 4; PA Pre-K Counts for 3-4-year-olds, Early Head Start for pregnant women, infants and toddlers in a home-based probram; Family Center for community-driven home visiting programs. Income guidelines apply in all of these programs except for the Family Center.

Transportation: Somerset County Transportation System for shared-ride transportation services; Medical Assistance Transportation Program; Persons With Disabilities; HSDF Transportation; and senior citizens.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: New executive director working to help those in need find help