Board Of Directors Community Representative Elections

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

Although I currently have no direct connection to Community Action, as a professional in the field of developing and managing affordable housing, I am very familiar with the value that organizations like Community Action bring to our community and to the families and individuals they serve. I currently work in Southern Vermont and the organization I lead regularly collaborates with SEVCA through their rental assistance program, fuel assistance programs and energy efficiency programs. I’m interested in board service at Community Action because I want to put some of my energy in supporting the community where I live. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

I’ve been an ED of three non-profits and I’ve served on several boards and ad hoc committees throughout my career. I’m skilled in strategic planning, board governance, community relations, program development and impact evaluation. I am comfortable with reading financial statements and am knowledgeable about compliance frameworks and the world of government contracts. I’ve also done a fair amount of legislative advocacy including working directly with elected officials to draft new legislation. 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I grew up in a low income family and as a kid benefited from government funded and faith based community food programs. I was also considered an ‘at risk youth’ in high school and as such, qualified for a publicly funded job program in the Superintendent’s office in the regional school district where I graduated. This experience changed my life in that it helped me begin to recognize my skills, talents and interests. I hadn’t been on a college track before then and working directly with the Superintendent, a smart warm-hearted woman, helped me think about my future in a different way. These early experiences also helped shape how I think about public funding and the vital role community organizations play in the lives of individuals and families who have minimal resources and social capital. 

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I have had the honor of serving on the Community Action Board since 2016, and my commitment to CAPV’s mission has only strengthened over time. Community Action plays a vital role in addressing both the immediate needs and long-term stability of individuals and families across our region. I believe deeply in the agency’s work to reduce poverty and create pathways to opportunity. 

My connection to CAPV is both professional and personal. I have seen firsthand the impact of programs such as WIC, fuel assistance, youth programs, Head Start, and food access initiatives. As a board member, I am committed to ensuring CAPV remains mission-focused, financially strong, and responsive to evolving community needs. I am seeking re-election because I believe thoughtful governance, strategic planning, and strong community representation are essential to sustaining this important work. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

I bring strong community partnership and relationship-building skills, along with experience in financial and operational oversight. I am comfortable reviewing budgets, evaluating program outcomes, and supporting accountability and transparency in board governance. 

I also have a solid understanding of CAPV programs and the broader anti-poverty framework. I value collaboration, continuous learning, and thoughtful decision-making, and I am dedicated to serving with integrity and commitment. 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I have personally accessed Community Action services, including WIC, fuel assistance, and youth programs. During that time, these supports were essential in helping my family maintain stability. This lived experience strengthens my commitment to ensuring CAPV programs remain accessible, respectful, and responsive to those facing economic challenges. 

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I have received services over the years and believe in the philosophy, goals and mission of Community Action. I have lived experience. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

Community Oriented, Lived Experience, Attentive Listener, Love for Community, Strong Communication Skills 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I was one of eight children (now 7). I am first generation as my mom was on a boat for her first 3 1/2 years of her life . I received my work papers when I was a teenager. I am low income and have received assistance from Community Action. My experience and input is valuable as is my voice 

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I am currently an elected community CAPV Board member for Franklin County. As a former Chair of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission, I believe that housing, food, health care, heat and education are basic human rights for all people. I have advocated for these rights on the Board and in funding advocacy in Boston and Washington. I have done my best to defend them in this current political climate. I now wish to grow them should I be given the honor of a next term. I wish to re-dedicate and increase funding to locally based food banks and outlets as well as fuel assistance. Further, I wish to re-dedicate and fund Rental Assistance and Security Deposit funds for lower income people who need housing. I am also an advocate of the state rent control initiative. As an individual, I am an advocate for expanding the free state community college program to four-year institutions; single payer health care and Medicare for all. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

My experience and relationships as a current CAPV Board of Directors member and as a former Chair of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission have been very valuable to me in seeking to further the work that we do and the advocacy that I engage in. I feel that my skills as a human rights activist devoted to the goals of CAPV have grown and been refined in my last three years on the Board.   

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

My family and I are lower income and have struggled to make ends meet in housing, groceries and heating. CAPV and other support agencies have helped us in so many ways. Serving on the Board is my way of expressing my gratitude and serving others in the community who may need the same assistance.   C

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I am looking to provide perspective back my community and represent knowledge in navigating various supplemental social programs. I have previously served on the board for CAPV many years ago while a parent at G Street Daycare (Turners Falls) 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

I am participated in every low-income program that once was available to me. I have worked low-income youth at Greenfield High School and served in programs at Greenfield Public Schools (PTO, Parent Advisory Board) as well at Community Action Board in the early 2000’s. 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I once was a single teen mother with a high school education, participating in SNAP, TADC, WIC, and Fuel Assistance. I have literally climbed out of poverty while supporting a partner suffering from alcohol addiction. While I know my story is not uncommon for someone who looks like me, I do empathize with those who are doing their best to get by with the circumstances they are in. 

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I am interested in being elected to the Community Action Board of Directors because I am passionate about making a difference for families in my community and beyond. My lived experience has shown me that there are roadblocks or gaps in services that people may not consider unless they have experienced them firsthand. I am excited for the chance to use my voice and personal history to help others. 

For nearly 17 years, I have participated in a variety of Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) programs. The Greenfield Family Center is especially significant to me; it is where I found essential support from staff and peers as a new mother. When I experienced postpartum depression, the “New Babies, New Feelings” group saved me by providing a space to connect with others while offering childcare for my toddler—a resource that was unavailable at other regional groups. My family also utilizes Early Head Start, WIC, and fuel assistance. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

As a returning student studying Human Services at GCC, I navigate parenting five children on a low income. My experience as a domestic violence survivor and a parent managing without a vehicle has shown me how small changes can make a resource significantly more accessible. Having lived in several towns across Franklin and Hampshire counties, as well as Holyoke, I also possess a strong understanding of regional differences in programming. 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I fulfill the requirement for a Community Representative as a single mother who relies on TAFDC and public assistance. I have lived in project-based housing in Greenfield and Amherst, as well as Section 8 housing in Holyoke. I want to use my educational background and lived experience to help CAPV identify and fill the gaps that may unintentionally make life-changing services unavailable to those who need them most. 

Why are you interested in being elected (or re-elected) to the Community Action Board of Directors? 

I am interested in serving on the Community Action Board of Directors because I believe deeply in CAPV’s mission and have seen its impact both personally and professionally. CAPV’s commitment to advancing economic stability, food security, and dignity for individuals and families aligns closely with my values and my work in the nonprofit sector. I have a deep appreciation for CAPV’s compassionate, respectful, and community-centered approach, and it continues to motivate my desire to give back and help ensure these programs remain responsive to community needs. 

Through my professional experience in nonprofit development, I have focused on strengthening organizations through relationship-building, strategic growth, and sustainable resource development. Serving on the CAPV Board would allow me to contribute these skills while supporting an organization that played a meaningful role in my own journey. 

What skills and/or experience will you bring to the CAPV Board of Directors? 

I bring a combination of board strategy and development expertise, fundraising experience, and lived experience that positions me to contribute meaningfully to the CAPV Board of Directors. 

Please share a few sentences explaining how you fulfill the requirement that Community Representative Board Members must be living with or have lived with low incomes. 

I fulfill this requirement through my lived experience of having previously lived with low income. During that time, I relied on community-based supports, including services provided by CAPV, to help meet basic needs and maintain stability. This experience gives me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating economic insecurity and informs my commitment to ensuring CAPV’s programs remain accessible, responsive, and rooted in dignity.