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BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie News Service) – This month, agencies that help low-income residents escape poverty are being honored for their work.

That includes efforts in North Dakota, where leaders say the pandemic has provided opportunities to be more effective in the future. May is Community Action Awareness Month, and the statewide agency for North Dakota has been honored with a proclamation from the governor’s office.

Andrea Olson with the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota says despite a year in which her staff had to shift to working remotely, they still were able to serve clients for issues such as affordable housing.

Olson says they’ve spent the better part of a year in response mode to get immediate help to people affected by the crisis. Looking ahead, she says they’ll hone in on a key issue for their organization.

That statewide assessment was issued by the organization late last year. Community Action Partnership also helps with weatherization for low-income households, and assists military veterans.

North Dakota economists say while the state may have weathered the economic crisis from the pandemic a little better than some other states, it still saw families affected by job disruptions in the oil and gas industry, as well as the hospitality sector.