Recently, four Pennsylvania Community Action Agencies saw a change in their most top-ranking leadership position. CAAP is excited to welcome Erin Lukoss from the Bucks County Opportunity Council, James Plankenhor from STEP, Inc. - Lycoming and Clinton Counties, Dan Jurman from Community Action Program of Lancaster County, and Dave Greene from Northern Tier Community Action. Hear from all four of our newest executives below:

My journey with BCOC began nearly 15 years ago as a Coach in the Bristol office. In that role, I met many wonderful people who came for help on possibly their worst day. Working with people in crisis taught me to not only be compassionate but also to be willing to listen. That has been something I have carried with me through my time at BCOC, and it has helped me to form lifelong relationships with members of our community. My passion for this agency, the people that we serve, and the community of Bucks County is stronger than ever, and I am excited to work with the community and staff as we strive to increase our footprint in the county, expose the great work that we do, and create new opportunities for the families that we serve.

My work in the nonprofit sector began 30 years ago when I was a counselor for a day camp program for at-risk youth in places like Camden and Atlantic City. I first connected with CAP nearly 10 years ago when I worked for Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center, and again when I worked for SouthEast Lancaster Health Services (both Federally Qualified Health Centers in Lancaster County). CAP's mission to build self-sufficiency and eliminate poverty are at the core of my own very personal and professional mission as well. As a child of poverty who was lucky enough to break the cycle, I know how important the work we do can be to the people we serve. I couldn't be prouder, and at the same time, more humbled, to be leading the Community Action Program of Lancaster County into this next chapter of its history. Working

The Department of Health and Human Services, as required by Congress, established the Designation Renewal System (DRS) to determine whether Head Start and Early Head Start agencies deliver high-quality and comprehensive services to the families they serve. In July, Armstrong County Community Action Agency was notified that they received the DRS Head Start competitive grant.  It is a five year grant that will amount to approximately $8,000,000 over the next five years.  Armstrong County CAA faced significant competition within their county and prevailed. In addition, Armstrong County CAA applied for a grant with Wal-Mart for a refrigerated truck and were notified on July 13 that they received a $75,000 grant for the purchase.  Congratulations to Armstrong County CAA's Executive Director Ken Heilman and his stellar staff! Something tells us Armstrong County CAA just got a lot busier.

CAAP's VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) Program will be welcoming four new VISTAs who attended their Pre-Service Orientation last week in Blue Bell, PA. Our new VISTA members include Lindsay Anderson with Chester County Department of Community Development, Alesha Barber and Chelsea Salay with East Liberty Development, Inc., and Erica Bolthouse with Susquehanna County Interfaith. They will serve important roles within their respective organizations as they work to create or expand programs that bring individuals and communities out of poverty. 

To learn more about how to obtain the support of a VISTA contact Deb Fontaine, CAAP VISTA coordinator, at 717-233-1075 or deborah@thecaap.org  

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