2013 Annual ReportLR

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ExecutiveDirector’sLetter
Greetings,
As the 4th Executive Director of Community Action Council, I am optimistic about the vision and
direction of our organization. More importantly, I would like to thank the community for 50 years of
support. Our longevity is a true testament grounded in the original purpose of Community Action;
to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income individuals and
families. It is my pleasure to share our 2013 Annual Report with you.
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, we are pleased with the many
accomplishments while openly cognizant of the challenges before us. Building on our rich history
of service delivery and advocacy, we are positioned to create innovative approaches and more
partnerships that promise a second War on Poverty with victory as our only objective.
The idea of creating livable communities for all starts with the intentional attack on the most
devastating barrier of all, poverty. Poverty impacts us all, not just the children and families living in its
vicious cycle. The solution to eradicating poverty is less about wealth and more so about justice. Our
children and families are not looking for a hand out, but the opportunity for a hand up. As you read
the many accomplishments of our staff and families we serve, I ask that you join us in the battle to
advocate for justice and support our services that create sustainable successes one family at a time.
I can not be more excited about the future of Community Action Council. I hope that you enjoy the
annual report and are called to action to join us in helping people help themselves and each other.
Sincerely,
Malcolm J. Ratchford, M.S., CCAP
Executive Director
2013

COMMUNIT
A
CO N T E N T S
CUTS TOO DEEP
KentuckyFamiliesHurtbyChildCareCuts
6
BUILDING A LIVABLE
COMMUNITY
WinburnCenterBringsGenerations
Together
8
MORE THAN A CHAIRMAN
HonoringLaRue’sLegacy
10
NERDLAND MAKES NOISE
MSNBCHostPacksaPunchonPoverty
12
table of contentstable of contents
2013 Annual Report

Y
ACTION
COUNCI
Summary of Revenue and
Expenses
24
Financial Supporters26
Some Results from 201328
Locations30
MILLERSBURG COMMUNITY
GARDEN
ImpactingFoodSecurityinCentral
Kentucky
14
STRATEGIC PLAN
MappingaPathOutofPoverty
16
TONYA FRYMAN
PersistencePaysOff
18
IT’S NOT THE KIND OF
GIVING THAT COUNTS
In-KindDonationsHelpingMore
thanEver
20
Board of Directors22

6 / Community Action Council
Working families in Kentucky suffered a
major setback beginning in 2013 when
the state dramatically reduced access to
the publicly funded Child Care Assistance
Program, which helps parents afford
quality child care so they can work
or attend school. Kentucky lowered
eligibility limits for the program from 150
percent of the federal poverty guideline
to 100 percent of that guideline and
stopped issuing new contracts, even for
those already in the program. This has
since led to more than 13,000 families
being denied access to quality care so
they can work toward self-sufficiency.
One family impacted by the cuts was
Teri Hendrix, who was featured in a story
written by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Teri lost her child care assistance at the
beginning of 2014 because her job with
a fast food company paid too much
under the new eligibility criteria.“I feel
like I’m being penalized for working,”she
told the Herald-Leader. Six months after
the cuts took effect more than 200 child
development centers had closed and
13,674 children had been cut from the
program. Both numbers were even more
troubling than advocates had predicted.
Community Action Council saw a drop in
child care assistance enrollment among
our own families from 245 to fewer than
160 with more losing contracts each
week.
The Council, in its role as an advocate,
continues to be among the state’s lead
organizations in pushing for restoration
of funding for child care assistance
and raising the eligibility limit, which is
now the lowest in the United States. As
of this writing Gov. Steve Beshear had
proposed restoring much of the funding
CUTS TOO DEEPKentucky Families Hurt by Child Care Cuts
By Charlie Lanter
CUTS TOO DEEPKentucky Families Hurt by Child Care Cuts
By Charlie Lanter

Annual Report 2013 / 7
Hundreds of bibs go up in the state Capitol with messages from
parents - Don't cut child care assistance!
in the state’s fiscal year to begin July 1, 2014, but that proposal
had still not been fully considered by the Kentucky General
Assembly. The cuts hit families hard in Central Kentucky where,
faced with both child care cuts and federal sequestration
funding reductions, the Council was forced to close two child
development facilities in 2013.
The Council’s efforts to push back against these cuts began
in February 2013 when parents in child development centers
wrote messages to state leaders on hundreds of disposable
bibs. Parents wrote messages asking the governor and
legislators to step in and stop cuts to child care assistance. A
delegation of staff members brought these bibs to Frankfort
and hung them in the state Capitol for Children’s Advocacy Day
before later delivering them to the office of Gov. Steve Beshear.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough and the General Assembly
took no action to restore funding in 2013 despite a second
rally in the Capitol in August that was attended by hundreds of
advocates including parents from Community Action Council
programs.
Advocates throughout the state continue in 2014 to insist on
restoration of funding for child care assistance and raising
the eligibility income limits above the current 100 percent of
the federal poverty guideline. Annual child care bills for just
one child can exceed $6,000 – close to the tuition amounts at
some colleges – and parents working for just $8 or $9 an hour
can’t afford this expense. Families that had made progress
toward self-sufficiency have been forced to quit work or
school and return to other forms of public assistance making
this ill-advised cut more expensive in the long run. In other
cases, parents are forced to place their children in unlicensed,
unregulated child care settings where children may sit in front
of a television all day or face safety hazards instead of receiving
a quality early childhood education.
Research has shown that child care subsidies effectively
eliminate a barrier to work for most families, especially single
parent families. This allows parents to work and improve the
quality of family life while also generating tax revenue for state
and local government. It also reduces need for other forms
of public assistance, thus providing additional return on the
state’s investment. Providing access to quality early childhood
education is an issue that enjoys bipartisan support in
government and has been endorsed by nearly every chamber
of commerce or business group that has considered the issue.
Kentucky must make it a priority to fund kids first even in
a time of lean state revenues. Investments now will pay off
in the future by avoiding other costs and helping children
succeed in school and move on to become productive citizens.
The Council will continue to advocate for the restoration of
adequate funding for child care assistance and other activities
that would raise the quality of life for families and children with
low-income.

BUILDING A LIVABLE COMMUNITYWinburn Center Brings Generations Together - By Beverly Bowens
In 2013 the Council’s Winburn Center shifted its focus to more community-minded activities in an effort to better provide for, and meet the
needs of, our neighborhood residents. Through surveys and assessments, the Winburn Center realized a great need for: health care awareness;
employment and career opportunities; minimizing crime; educational services; and extracurricular activities in order to improve the lives and
well-being of our diverse community. After months of preparation and evaluation of the data collected, the Winburn Center started the year
off with its first annual“Winburn Community Health and Fun Day Celebration”which focused on the adults, youth and children of the Winburn
neighborhood. Other community partners including a local physician, Bluegrass Lion’s Club, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Health Department,
Saint Joseph Hospital Wellness, University of Kentucky Sanders Brown Center on Aging, Area Health Education Center, and a local fitness trainer
collaborated with the Winburn Center to provide a host of health related activities.
More than 100 health screenings were performed including memory, hearing, vision, dental, and HIV, a potential life threatening concern. The
physician shared with the residents“how to maximize and benefit from your doctor’s visit.”Participants also took part in a 30-minute low impact
exercise activity led by a fitness trainer. Winburn Center’s community health fair was successful because it reached people without a regular
source of health care and provided those at risk for health problems an opportunity to be screened. Based on the number of residents who
signed up for other planned activities and events,“Winburn Day”enhanced the center’s presence while establishing relationships throughout the
community.

In addition to health screenings,“Winburn
Day”identified other areas of need in the
community. Data showed that many of
the community residents were untrained,
unemployed, underemployed, and had low
education attainment. To address this need
beyond the one-day event, the Winburn
Center is committed to offering quarterly job
and career training fairs. The purpose of these
events will be to enhance the socioeconomic
status of the residents while building future
sustainability. Winburn Center’s first job and
career fair day was a success. There were nine
employers and employment agencies on-site
along with four technical and training schools.
Also, in collaboration with the Winburn
Together We Can committee an after-school
homework program was established to help
elementary and middle school students
advance in their learning. Conducting
these services at the center enhances our
community relationships as evidenced by
the increased number of participants and job
referrals, as well as improvement of students’
confidence and performance.
Drugs and crime have also been reported as
a major concern for the Winburn community.
As such, many of the senior residents feel
unsafe and stay locked in their homes.
Winburn Center staff has already begun
working with the Winburn Neighborhood
Association on the development of a Street
Captains program. Street Captains report any
suspicious activities, helping to make the
neighborhood safer.
Many of the children and youth of the
community are often bored and have no
structured activities during their free time.
Winburn Center staff members responded to
this need and now offer children and youth
initiatives. The inaugural activity was a six-
week summer program Winburn Kids on
the Move for elementary and middle school
students. The youth-led program enrolled 71
children and involved them in extra-curricular
activities and away from potential criminal
temptations. This collaborative program with
Winburn Together We Can was funded by
Partners for Youth. The success of the program
was evidenced by the attendance and the
increased knowledge and skills demonstrated
by the students. This collaborative effort also
enhanced the Winburn Center’s standing
within the community.
Winburn’s diverse neighborhood lacks a venue
where all residents can come together, share
in a common activity, develop community
pride and get to know one another. This need
continues to be addressed by cultivating
an annual community garden. The Winburn
Community Garden allows residents to come
together for a common cause and to learn
to appreciate their cultural differences. The
Winburn Community Garden operates under
the leadership of Ka’Sondra Brown, Volunteer
Coordinator for the Council’s Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program. With collaboration
from King Solomon Lodge No. 8, the Winburn
Center and the community worked to develop
and cultivate the community garden over
the past year. The Winburn Community
Garden increases a sense of ownership and
stewardship among community residents.
This on-going project is an enhancement to
the Winburn Center and a cornerstone for the
community.
To further enhance the awareness of the
Council and the Winburn Center, an expansion
event was held in the nearby Hollow Creek
community. The key focus of the event was
to increase awareness of the programs and
services the Council offers. As a result, several
families enrolled in housing and Head
Start programs. This event established a
commitment and community relations in an
adjacent neighborhood.
The Winburn Center team and community
partners met their 2013 goals and objectives
of providing increased programming. The
Winburn Center has become a community
hub in its neighborhood. Its mission of
responding to the needs of the neighborhood
through the inclusion of community
services and community partners is being
accomplished. The Winburn Center will
continue moving forward building livable
communities and neighborhoods.

At the end of 2013, Gentry LaRue, the Council’s dedicated Chairman of
the Board of Director’s with a tenure of more than 30 years, stepped
down from his position. Though no longer serving as the Chairman, Mr.
LaRue will continue to serve and assist the Council in all of its endeavors
to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty.
Gentry LaRue was born in 1933 in Smiths Grove; a small town in Warren
County near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Born a few months behind the
district’s cut-off age for enrollment, at age six, Mr. LaRue attended
Preprema, or kindergarten, in Fayette County.
While attending high school, Mr. LaRue received his first draft letter from
the United States military instructing him to enlist once he graduated.
Mr. LaRue was not fond of this request as he had plans to further his
education. He enrolled in what was then Kentucky State College and
obtained a letter of deferment allowing him to remain in school. Little
did he know, this draft letter would be the first of seven and throughout
his college career he would have to obtain a letter of deferment for each
military draft request.
While at Kentucky State, Mr. LaRue chose to major in biology with a
minor in French. He joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity as well as the
Army Reserves where he served three years. He was also blessed with the
opportunity to meet his future wife, Janice Napier.
It didn’t take long for the military to catch up with Mr. LaRue; he
graduated from Kentucky State College on May 25, 1956. His parents
were there to support his successful graduation; however, after the
ceremony his parents reluctantly presented him with what would be his
final military draft.
On June 25, 1956, Mr. LaRue enlisted in the United States Army. He was
ordered to arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, to be deployed to Fort Hood,
At the end of 2013, Gentry LaRue, the Council’s dedicated Chairman of
the Board of Director’s with a tenure of more than 30 years, stepped
down from his position. Though no longer serving as the Chairman, Mr.
LaRue will continue to serve and assist the Council in all of its endeavors
to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty.
Gentry LaRue was born in 1933 in Smiths Grove; a small town in Warren
County near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Born a few months behind the
district’s cut-off age for enrollment, at age six, Mr. LaRue attended
Preprema, or kindergarten, in Fayette County.
While attending high school, Mr. LaRue received his first draft letter from
the United States military instructing him to enlist once he graduated.
Mr. LaRue was not fond of this request as he had plans to further his
education. He enrolled in what was then Kentucky State College and
obtained a letter of deferment allowing him to remain in school. Little
did he know, this draft letter would be the first of seven and throughout
his college career he would have to obtain a letter of deferment for each
military draft request.
While at Kentucky State, Mr. LaRue chose to major in biology with a
minor in French. He joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity as well as the
Army Reserves where he served three years. He was also blessed with the
opportunity to meet his future wife, Janice Napier.
It didn’t take long for the military to catch up with Mr. LaRue; he
graduated from Kentucky State College on May 25, 1956. His parents
were there to support his successful graduation; however, after the
ceremony his parents reluctantly presented him with what would be his
final military draft.
On June 25, 1956, Mr. LaRue enlisted in the United States Army. He was
ordered to arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, to be deployed to Fort Hood,
SCAN WITH LAYAR
More than a ChairmanHonoring LaRue’s Legacy - By Cheryl Weiss
More than a ChairmanHonoring LaRue’s Legacy - By Cheryl Weiss

Texas. Being an active member of the Army
Reserves in college, Mr. LaRue entered the
military as a Corporal with two stripes, rather
than as a Private.“The pay I received was the
only incentive for the situation I encountered,”
Mr. LaRue said. Due to segregation, the train
station in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, refused
to provide meals to Mr. LaRue and his troops.
In response, the military, the only integrated
organization at the time, marched the
troops to Hotel Georgia to be served without
discrimination. Mr. LaRue sent for Janice to join
him in Fort Lewis, Washington, where he spent
the majority of his military career. The two were
married on August 11, 1957.
On June 26, 1958, Mr. LaRue completed his
military service and returned to Kentucky. The
couple became a family in 1959 with the birth
of their first son, Gentry Jr., followed by their
youngest son, Gregory, born in 1961.
Mr. LaRue began teaching in 1959 at
Rosenwald Dunbar in Jessamine County and
enrolled in Western Kentucky University to
pursue a scholarship to become certified in
mathematics and science. Throughout his
teaching career Mr. LaRue taught a variety
of subjects; mathematics, science, French,
anatomy, physiology and biology. Mr. LaRue
became an assistant principal in 1968. That
same year, he advanced to become the first
black principal in the history of Ashland
Elementary. In 1971, Mr. LaRue attended
Eastern Kentucky University to complete a six
year certification in education. In 1972, Mr.
LaRue was promoted to Fayette County Public
Schools’central office to become the Division
Head for Adult and Community Education. This
advance was a cathedral moment of Mr. LaRue’s
career, as he would soon face a new dynamic to
his stalwart focus on education.
President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced
“The War on Poverty”during his State of
the Union address on January 8, 1964. This
legislation was proposed by Johnson in
response to a national poverty rate of around
nineteen percent, or one in five people.
That speech led the United States Congress
to pass the Economic Opportunity Act,
which established the Office of Economic
Opportunity (OEO) to administer the local
application of federal funds to combat poverty.
In 1975, Guy Potts, Superintendent of Fayette
County Public Schools, requested Mr. LaRue to
take his place and become a board member of
what was then Community Action Lexington-
Fayette (C.A.L.F.). LaRue took advantage of
the request and viewed it as an opportunity
to help a local non-profit organization combat
Johnson’s“War on Poverty.”For the next eight
years, Mr. LaRue served as a board member
to assist Cal Wallace, Executive Director, to
operate programs and services in compliance
with federal guidelines.
In 1979, Jack Burch would assume the position
as the new Executive Director of Community
Action Council, and in 1983, Mr. LaRue would
be voted as the new Board Chairman of
Community Action Council. Burch and Mr.
LaRue had plenty of challenges to face as
the Council was notified to restructure its
operations and clean up its finances. Through
dedication and determination, the Council
complied with the request and continued
to promote awareness and advocacy within
the community, becoming one of the most
recognized Community Action agencies in the
nation.
Mr. LaRue spent the next 30 years as Chairman
of the Board in which his chief role was
to ensure the Executive Director and staff
followed policies set forth by the Council. It
was important for Mr. LaRue to be familiar
with“Roberts Rules of Order,”a book written
by Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn Robert to ensure
rules of order intended by the Council be
adopted as a parliamentary authority for use
by a deliberative authority. As it was not simple,
knowing and understanding these laws was
a priority for Mr. LaRue as he took pride and
honor in his position as Chairman of the Board.
In response to why he remained Chairman of
the Board for three generations, Mr. LaRue said,
“As a Chairman, you have remote authority and
large dealings with Community Action Council.
It was necessary to contribute to the success
of this community-based organization and my
way of giving back to the community.”
When asked what he plans to do next,
determined and convinced, Mr. LaRue said he
had plans to relax and enjoy retirement while
instilling a sense of love and dedication in his
four grandchildren Gentry III, Gillian, Kristen
Elaine and Megan Nicole; and one great-
grandchild, Lena. “I want them to pursue their
dreams and goals in a prosperous community;
Community Action Council will always remain
in my heart”said Mr. LaRue.
His years of continued participation and
support has inspired the Council to continue
its efforts and expectations to combat poverty
within Fayette, Bourbon, Nicholas and Harrison
counties. Mr. LaRue will continue to serve on
the Council’s Board of Directors and offer his
voice to issues that have been a passion of his
throughout his entire life.
Texas. Being an active member of the Army
Reserves in college, Mr. LaRue entered the
military as a Corporal with two stripes, rather
than as a Private.“The pay I received was the
only incentive for the situation I encountered,”
Mr. LaRue said. Due to segregation, the train
station in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, refused
to provide meals to Mr. LaRue and his troops.
In response, the military, the only integrated
organization at the time, marched the
troops to Hotel Georgia to be served without
discrimination. Mr. LaRue sent for Janice to join
him in Fort Lewis, Washington, where he spent
the majority of his military career. The two were
married on August 11, 1957.
On June 26, 1958, Mr. LaRue completed his
military service and returned to Kentucky. The
couple became a family in 1959 with the birth
of their first son, Gentry Jr., followed by their
youngest son, Gregory, born in 1961.
Mr. LaRue began teaching in 1959 at
Rosenwald Dunbar in Jessamine County and
enrolled in Western Kentucky University to
pursue a scholarship to become certified in
mathematics and science. Throughout his
teaching career Mr. LaRue taught a variety
of subjects; mathematics, science, French,
anatomy, physiology and biology. Mr. LaRue
became an assistant principal in 1968. That
same year, he advanced to become the first
black principal in the history of Ashland
Elementary. In 1971, Mr. LaRue attended
Eastern Kentucky University to complete a six
year certification in education. In 1972, Mr.
LaRue was promoted to Fayette County Public
Schools’central office to become the Division
Head for Adult and Community Education. This
advance was a cathedral moment of Mr. LaRue’s
career, as he would soon face a new dynamic to
his stalwart focus on education.
President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced
“The War on Poverty”during his State of
the Union address on January 8, 1964. This
legislation was proposed by Johnson in
response to a national poverty rate of around
nineteen percent, or one in five people.
That speech led the United States Congress
to pass the Economic Opportunity Act,
which established the Office of Economic
Opportunity (OEO) to administer the local
application of federal funds to combat poverty.
In 1975, Guy Potts, Superintendent of Fayette
County Public Schools, requested Mr. LaRue to
take his place and become a board member of
what was then Community Action Lexington-
Fayette (C.A.L.F.). LaRue took advantage of
the request and viewed it as an opportunity
to help a local non-profit organization combat
Johnson’s“War on Poverty.”For the next eight
years, Mr. LaRue served as a board member
to assist Cal Wallace, Executive Director, to
operate programs and services in compliance
with federal guidelines.
In 1979, Jack Burch would assume the position
as the new Executive Director of Community
Action Council, and in 1983, Mr. LaRue would
be voted as the new Board Chairman of
Community Action Council. Burch and Mr.
LaRue had plenty of challenges to face as
the Council was notified to restructure its
operations and clean up its finances. Through
dedication and determination, the Council
complied with the request and continued
to promote awareness and advocacy within
the community, becoming one of the most
recognized Community Action agencies in the
nation.
Mr. LaRue spent the next 30 years as Chairman
of the Board in which his chief role was
to ensure the Executive Director and staff
followed policies set forth by the Council. It
was important for Mr. LaRue to be familiar
with“Roberts Rules of Order,”a book written
by Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn Robert to ensure
rules of order intended by the Council be
adopted as a parliamentary authority for use
by a deliberative authority. As it was not simple,
knowing and understanding these laws was
a priority for Mr. LaRue as he took pride and
honor in his position as Chairman of the Board.
In response to why he remained Chairman of
the Board for three generations, Mr. LaRue said,
“As a Chairman, you have remote authority and
large dealings with Community Action Council.
It was necessary to contribute to the success
of this community-based organization and my
way of giving back to the community.”
When asked what he plans to do next,
determined and convinced, Mr. LaRue said he
had plans to relax and enjoy retirement while
instilling a sense of love and dedication in his
four grandchildren Gentry III, Gillian, Kristen
Elaine and Megan Nicole; and one great-
grandchild, Lena. “I want them to pursue their
dreams and goals in a prosperous community;
Community Action Council will always remain
in my heart”said Mr. LaRue.
His years of continued participation and
support has inspired the Council to continue
its efforts and expectations to combat poverty
within Fayette, Bourbon, Nicholas and Harrison
counties. Mr. LaRue will continue to serve on
the Council’s Board of Directors and offer his
voice to issues that have been a passion of his
throughout his entire life.

The Council hosted its sixth annual Poverty Forum – and revealed a few major changes – in August 2013. Guests mingled and shared experiences
at the historic Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center which provided a perfect setting to discuss how the community can come together to
eliminate generational poverty in Lexington and Central Kentucky.
The banquet dinner of previous Poverty Forums was replaced with a more conversation-friendly hors d’oeuvres reception to encourage discussion
and the exchange of ideas. The program itself began with a celebration of community-changers with a series of award presentations. Bill Ferzacca,
a lifelong early childhood educator, presented the Ferzacca Scholarship for a student with low-income pursuing a degree in early childhood
education. The 2013 scholarship was awarded to Lawrence Gilbert, a father, husband, and former Head Start student with a passion for giving
back to the community.
The Abby Marlatt Community Partnership Award is presented each year in honor of Dr. Abby Marlatt, who devoted her life to advancing the civil
rights movement and fighting poverty at its core. Marlatt, who was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001, served on the
Council's Board of Directors for many years. Former Council Board member and friend of Miss Marlatt presented the 2013 award to Kentuckians for
the Commonwealth, a grassroots organization of 7,500 Central Kentuckians dedicated to creating a balanced power structure and a just society
for all Kentuckians.
The Council hosted its sixth annual Poverty Forum – and revealed a few major changes – in August 2013. Guests mingled and shared experiences
at the historic Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center which provided a perfect setting to discuss how the community can come together to
eliminate generational poverty in Lexington and Central Kentucky.
The banquet dinner of previous Poverty Forums was replaced with a more conversation-friendly hors d’oeuvres reception to encourage discussion
and the exchange of ideas. The program itself began with a celebration of community-changers with a series of award presentations. Bill Ferzacca,
a lifelong early childhood educator, presented the Ferzacca Scholarship for a student with low-income pursuing a degree in early childhood
education. The 2013 scholarship was awarded to Lawrence Gilbert, a father, husband, and former Head Start student with a passion for giving
back to the community.
The Abby Marlatt Community Partnership Award is presented each year in honor of Dr. Abby Marlatt, who devoted her life to advancing the civil
rights movement and fighting poverty at its core. Marlatt, who was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001, served on the
Council's Board of Directors for many years. Former Council Board member and friend of Miss Marlatt presented the 2013 award to Kentuckians for
the Commonwealth, a grassroots organization of 7,500 Central Kentuckians dedicated to creating a balanced power structure and a just society
for all Kentuckians.
Nerdland Makes NoiseMSNBC Host Packs a Punch on Poverty - By Lindsay Ponta
SCAN WITH LAYAR
Photography by
Mark Mahan for Mahan Photography

The keynote address by Melissa Harris-Perry
was held in the theater to a sold-out crowd
representing every facet of the Central
Kentucky community. Dr. Harris-Perry, host of
“Melissa Harris-Perry”on MSNBC, spoke about
the wealth gap among races and how that
extends into healthcare, incarceration rates,
and virtually every other facet of daily life. She
held the attention of the audience throughout
her 45 minute talk. At times the audience
was laughing at images caricaturing gender
equality in politics, at other times, shaking
their heads over heartbreaking photos and
stories of the struggle for equality fought by
so many throughout American history.
After her keynote address, Harris-Perry
moderated a discussion with a panel of
Central Kentuckians representing a diverse
set of backgrounds and life experiences.
Panelists included: Andres Cruz, editor of La
Voz de Kentucky; Marquetta Brown, Account
Representative at Galls and mother of two
small children; Malcolm Ratchford, the
Council’s Executive Director; and Lawrence
Gilbert, Early Childhood Education student
at Bluegrass Community & Technical College
and father of five children. Marquetta Brown
remembers her panel participation fondly:
“It was a privilege to be on stage with Dr.
Melissa Harris-Perry and other influential
people within the community. I was able to
voice my views on ... how the cuts on funding
to some programs are affecting people who
are trying to get out of poverty.”
For Brown, the points raised at the Poverty
Forum hit very close to home. She reflected
back on her own history and how she was
impacted by the stigma associated with living
in poverty:
“I ... was raised by a young single mother who
had two children to take care of by the age
of 18. We had to depend on government
assistance to help provide our basic needs...
I want to influence others ... so that we may
help eliminate stereotypes and stigmas
associated with receiving assistance.”
Stories like Ms. Brown’s are the reason the
Council began hosting the Poverty Forum
nearly seven years ago. The panel discussion
brought home the topic and conversation
surrounding poverty and its implications. The
2013 Poverty Forum was the largest yet, but
the event will only continue to grow and
evolve into exactly what Central Kentucky
needs: a discussion about poverty that
highlights the issues and creates awareness of
a pervasive problem that impacts everyone.
The final award of the evening, on the heels
of the retirement of the Council's longtime
Executive Director, was created to honor an
individual who has committed his or her life
to the fight for economic security and justice
for all. The first annual Jack E. Burch Legacy
Award was given to P.G. Peeples, President and
CEO of the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette
County. Mr. Peeples has dedicated his entire
career to empowering African Americans and
the disadvantaged in the achievement of
social and economic equality.
For its seventh year, the Council's signature
event will undergo a transformation,
beginning with its name. Beginning in
2014 the Poverty Forum will be known
as LexEndPoverty, a night to build livable
communities. Melissa Harris-Perry and Tavis
Smiley set the bar high for future speakers, but
this year's keynote guest is guaranteed not to
disappoint.
Because of its rich history, the event will
again be held at the Lyric Theatre. Built in
1948 as a movie house, the Lyric became the
entertainment centerpiece of Lexington’s
African American community. The theater, at
the corner of Third Street and Elm Tree Lane
(formerly DeWeese Street), reopened in fall
2010 after a multi-million dollar renovation
and restoration and now serves as a vibrant
anchor for the East End community. Given
its rich history, the Lyric provided the perfect
venue to continue the discussion to revitalize
Central Kentucky.
Thank you to everyone who attended
the Poverty Forum for helping us create
upward socioeconomic mobility for Central
Kentuckians with low-income, and as always,
our thanks go out to our sponsors without
which the event and our work would not
be possible. Columbia Gas of Kentucky and
Kentucky Utilities continued their partnership
as co-presenters of the event, and we also
want to thank the University of Kentucky,
Selma's Catering, Southeast Mailing Service
and all our nonprofit and media partners, to
name just a few, We hope that you are looking
forward to LexEndPoverty as much as we are!
The keynote address by Melissa Harris-Perry
was held in the theater to a sold-out crowd
representing every facet of the Central
Kentucky community. Dr. Harris-Perry, host of
“Melissa Harris-Perry”on MSNBC, spoke about
the wealth gap among races and how that
extends into healthcare, incarceration rates,
and virtually every other facet of daily life. She
held the attention of the audience throughout
her 45 minute talk. At times the audience
was laughing at images caricaturing gender
equality in politics, at other times, shaking
their heads over heartbreaking photos and
stories of the struggle for equality fought by
so many throughout American history.
After her keynote address, Harris-Perry
moderated a discussion with a panel of
Central Kentuckians representing a diverse
set of backgrounds and life experiences.
Panelists included: Andres Cruz, editor of La
Voz de Kentucky; Marquetta Brown, Account
Representative at Galls and mother of two
small children; Malcolm Ratchford, the
Council’s Executive Director; and Lawrence
Gilbert, Early Childhood Education student
at Bluegrass Community & Technical College
and father of five children. Marquetta Brown
remembers her panel participation fondly:
“It was a privilege to be on stage with Dr.
Melissa Harris-Perry and other influential
people within the community. I was able to
voice my views on ... how the cuts on funding
to some programs are affecting people who
are trying to get out of poverty.”
For Brown, the points raised at the Poverty
Forum hit very close to home. She reflected
back on her own history and how she was
impacted by the stigma associated with living
in poverty:
“I ... was raised by a young single mother who
had two children to take care of by the age
of 18. We had to depend on government
assistance to help provide our basic needs...
I want to influence others ... so that we may
help eliminate stereotypes and stigmas
associated with receiving assistance.”
Stories like Ms. Brown’s are the reason the
Council began hosting the Poverty Forum
nearly seven years ago. The panel discussion
brought home the topic and conversation
surrounding poverty and its implications. The
2013 Poverty Forum was the largest yet, but
the event will only continue to grow and
evolve into exactly what Central Kentucky
needs: a discussion about poverty that
highlights the issues and creates awareness of
a pervasive problem that impacts everyone.
The final award of the evening, on the heels
of the retirement of the Council's longtime
Executive Director, was created to honor an
individual who has committed his or her life
to the fight for economic security and justice
for all. The first annual Jack E. Burch Legacy
Award was given to P.G. Peeples, President and
CEO of the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette
County. Mr. Peeples has dedicated his entire
career to empowering African Americans and
the disadvantaged in the achievement of
social and economic equality.
For its seventh year, the Council's signature
event will undergo a transformation,
beginning with its name. Beginning in
2014 the Poverty Forum will be known
as LexEndPoverty, a night to build livable
communities. Melissa Harris-Perry and Tavis
Smiley set the bar high for future speakers, but
this year's keynote guest is guaranteed not to
disappoint.
Because of its rich history, the event will
again be held at the Lyric Theatre. Built in
1948 as a movie house, the Lyric became the
entertainment centerpiece of Lexington’s
African American community. The theater, at
the corner of Third Street and Elm Tree Lane
(formerly DeWeese Street), reopened in fall
2010 after a multi-million dollar renovation
and restoration and now serves as a vibrant
anchor for the East End community. Given
its rich history, the Lyric provided the perfect
venue to continue the discussion to revitalize
Central Kentucky.
Thank you to everyone who attended
the Poverty Forum for helping us create
upward socioeconomic mobility for Central
Kentuckians with low-income, and as always,
our thanks go out to our sponsors without
which the event and our work would not
be possible. Columbia Gas of Kentucky and
Kentucky Utilities continued their partnership
as co-presenters of the event, and we also
want to thank the University of Kentucky,
Selma's Catering, Southeast Mailing Service
and all our nonprofit and media partners, to
name just a few, We hope that you are looking
forward to LexEndPoverty as much as we are!

Community Action Council is committed to
developing programs and initiatives that
directly impact food security in Central
Kentucky. One way we are doing this is
through local food initiatives, such as our
Winburn and Millersburg community gardens.
A community garden is a place where local
residents can come together to plant, tend
and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables in order
to supplement income and provide healthy,
nutritious foods for their entire family.
Located behind the Council’s Millersburg Child
Development Center in Bourbon County, the
Millersburg Community Garden is an oasis in
an otherwise barren food desert. According to
the United States Department of Agriculture
Economic Research Service (USDA ERS), a
food desert is defined as a geographic area
that does not have a large grocery store or
supermarket in close proximity. In other words,
if a large segment of the population in an area
has to travel more than 1 mile in urban areas
and more than 10 miles in rural areas, they live
in a food desert. Food deserts exist across the
country. Just within the Council’s own service
areas, including Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon,
Harrison and Nicholas counties, nearly 20 food
deserts have been identified.
Families with low-income living in a food
desert often lack reliable transportation to
go beyond the borders of a neighborhood to
purchase food, so they must rely on the foods
available to them. Food deserts are defined
by the presence of small convenience stores
or fast food chains offering highly-processed
foods and the absence of establishments
selling fresh fruits and vegetables. As one
might imagine, the rate of obesity is often
in areas characterized as a food desert. In
Bourbon County more than 32 percent
of adults and 18.9 percent of children are
identified as overweight or obese. According
to research, the inability to access affordable,
healthy foods is a major contributing factor
in the increase in rates of obesity. While some
fresh foods may be available, they are often too
expensive or of poor quality. Instead, residents
in these areas are limited to unhealthy foods
that contribute to the growing problem of
obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Built through donations and volunteer support,
the Millersburg Community Garden is a
communal space dedicated to increasing food
By Cara HowellBy Cara Howell

Ms. Wells’ youngest son Grayson
age 2 munched on a yummy
cucumber right out of the garden.
Ms. Wells’ youngest son Grayson
age 2 munched on a yummy
cucumber right out of the garden.
security and reducing the negative effects
of living in a food desert. Local residents
are encouraged to take part in planting and
tending to the garden; anyone is welcome to
pick vegetables for themselves or for others in
the community. Several volunteers regularly
pick baskets full of vegetables to hand out at
the visitor center for their elderly neighbors.
Participants donate their time and tools to
support the garden. The local fire department
helps by watering the garden during dry spells.
Jonnie Wells and her family love the
Millersburg Community Garden. Ms. Wells
heard about the park and playground located
behind the Council’s Child Development
Center, but she had never heard of the garden.
One day she took her children, Tristan and
Grayson, to play at the park and saw some
volunteers tilling the garden. Ms. Wells was
intrigued and soon became an active member
of the community garden.
Ms. Wells’favorite thing about the Millersburg
Community Garden is its accessibility. Because
of its location in a rural food desert, Millersburg
residents have to drive 10 or more miles
to shop at the grocery store in Paris. With
a community garden located in their town,
Millersburg residents have increased food
security.
The term“food security”refers to the ability
of a household to access enough food for an
active, healthy life. In 2012, 14.5 percent of
all Americans experienced some level of food
insecurity while 5.7 percent experienced very
low food security.
For many, experiencing“food insecurity”
means they are uncertain about whether or
not they can acquire enough food to meet the
needs of all members of their family. For those
with very low food security, normal eating
habits are disrupted. Often, someone has to
go hungry. This may mean a mother or father
eating a smaller portion or skipping a meal
entirely in order to feed their child. Sometimes
it means a child experiences hunger. In 2012,
in U.S. households with children under age
18, approximately 1.2 percent had at least one
child who experienced hunger.
What all of these statistics have in common
is that one in six Americans experienced
hunger in 2012 because they lacked money or
resources or did not have the ability to access
healthy, nutritious foods. According to Feeding
America, a hunger relief organization, the most
troubling thing about this fact is that there is
enough food grown and produced in America
to feed the entire population. But without the
money to purchase it or the ability to access it,
that fact is meaningless.
The Millersburg Community Garden also has
the added benefit of offering cost-savings,
according to Ms. Wells.“As a low-income family,
the garden helps us a lot!”By supplementing
the family’s food budget with the fresh
produce available for free, Ms. Wells and others
have the opportunity to spend their resources
on other needs, instead of worrying about
how to feed their families. The Millersburg
Community Garden provides a welcome relief
to nearby families.“These families are also
low-income and some are worse off than we
are. Having the garden so close really helps
everyone,”Ms. Wells said.
Ms. Wells also talked about the benefit of
having the garden located at the Millersburg
Child Development Center. The location of the
Millersburg Community Garden provides the
children who attend the child development
center with the opportunity to learn about
the origins of food and about gardening.
Studies have shown that many children lack
a basic awareness of where our food comes
from, something Ms. Wells saw with her own
children. Before the Millersburg Community
Garden, her children believed that“food comes
from the grocery store,”because all the fruits
and vegetables are already picked, cleaned and
packaged. The Millersburg Community Garden
provides a space for her children to learn about
where the food they eat really comes from and
helps them to build healthy eating habits.
With more local food initiatives such as the
Millersburg and Winburn Community Gardens,
the Council hopes to increase access to healthy
fruits and vegetables, increase food security,
reduce obesity, supplement incomes, and
provide educational experiences. Community
gardens provide so much more than just
food. Like all community gardens, the most
important component of the Millersburg
garden is community. Community gardens
provide an easy
way get to know
one’s neighbor
and to work
collaboratively in
the community.
The Millersburg
Community Garden
is just one way in
which Community
Action Council is
working to build a
livable community.

In January 2013 the Council embarked on two long-term
projects designed to help the Council chart its course for the
future. Together, the outcome of these projects tells a story
of how poverty in Central Kentucky is changing. It also tells
how we as an organization-as a community-must also change
in order to meet individuals and families right where they are
and provide appropriate support to help them achieve self-
sufficiency.
The first project was conducted in partnership with the GIS
(Geographic Information Systems) Workshop at the University of
Kentucky (UK). Master’s degree candidates provided updated
visual maps based on the Council’s current distribution of
services in Lexington-Fayette County. To complete this project
the Council provided UK with its own intake data as well as
information from the 2010 U.S. Census. Using unique identifiers
to ensure the utmost confidentiality for all of our participants,
UK analyzed a decade’s worth of information regarding Head
Start enrollment, energy assistance, referrals for food assistance
and health insurance status. The goal of the visual mapping was
to increase our understanding of the impact of services based
on changes in population growth and the community and to
utilize this information to make organizational changes.
The map included here is one of 29 maps provided to the
Council that shows how, in just over a decade, the population
of people we are serving has significantly expanded. From this
map it is evident that requests for assistance have increased
in all service areas, with a particular emphasis on the southern
part of Lexington. The number of households being served
by the Council in this area has more than doubled. Geocoding
identifies the distinct number of households who utilize each of
the Council’s services. By mapping this information, the Council
can identify trends and population clusters and can use the
maps to make operational decisions such as locating facilities
and staffing patterns.
As the geocoding project was underway, the Council’s Board
of Directors formed a diverse planning team of 19 members
and charged them with creating a strategic plan for the next
five years-2014-2018. The team completed a series of steps
over a period of 11 months to assess individual, family and
community need. To begin, the team analyzed data collected at
the local, state and national levels on housing, transportation,
child and youth development and other critical needs. Armed
with this data, the team developed 17 needs assessment
questions and conducted 17 focus groups with 151 community
stakeholders and participants. The team was then charged with
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mapping a Path Out of Poverty
By Melissa Kane

evaluating the feedback from the focus
groups against current and anticipated
trends in political, economic and social
climates and determining how these
trends could pose a threat to the Council
and its objectives. The result of this
comprehensive process is a plan that
outlines its objectives and indicators as
a continuum of steps to prevent, reduce
and eliminate poverty. The strategic
plan includes elements that require the
Council and the community to work
together to provide innovative solutions
to eliminating poverty. One example of
these elements is,“the Council intends
to bring together groups of private
businesses and other organizations that
provide essential daily services such as
transportation, housing and employment.
The intent behind [forming] these groups
will be to cultivate relationships with
individuals and organizations that may
be able to offer additional opportunities
to participants.”In equal measure, the
strategic plan captures how the Council
must work with participants to take the
next step toward economic security.
An example of this is,“the Council will
develop resources to help participants
needing to increase specific skills that
will assist them in obtaining employment
or increasing their educational
attainment, or both.”By examining the
past, the Council identified trends and
patterns that will help tailor services
to better meet community needs.
Guided by the 2014-2018 Strategic
Plan, the Council is prepared to meet
these needs and to prevent, reduce
and eliminate poverty. The full plan is
available online at www.commaction.org.

Meet Tonya Fryman, mother of seven and an inspiration to us all. In her first marriage, Tonya had three beautiful children – two
boys and a girl. After getting a divorce, Tonya thought she didn’t want any more children but considered having a girl for a
playmate for her only daughter. Tonya got pregnant and at first thought she was pregnant with twins until her 13th week of
pregnancy when she encountered problems and her doctor made a startling discovery: she was actually pregnant with triplets.
Unfortunately the plan to have a girl was completely shattered as all three children were boys, which prompted Tonya to have
a tubal ligation, a procedure to prevent pregnancy. Almost two months later, Tonya was shocked to discover she was pregnant
again, this time with a girl.
Tonya FrymanPersistence Pays Off
By Cameron Minter

SCAN WITH LAYAR
Tonya’s world drastically changed. She
found herself with six children and one
on the way and no time for anything but
raising her family. Tonya is a beautician
but knew she needed something more
reliable to help provide for her family
financially. Tonya wanted to go to nursing
school but knew she desperately needed
help. She was able to teach and give her
oldest two children the attention they
needed, but she was concerned about
the developmental progress of her third
child, Weston.
With her time very limited, Tonya felt
she was neglecting Weston’s education.
That’s when she decided to sign him
up for preschool at the Council. Weston
had a great learning experience and was
thriving in preschool. Tonya knew she
needed help with the triplets (John David,
Austin, and Levi) if she planned to pursue
higher education. She heard about
the Council’s home-based program,
a program that would allow her the
flexibility to be there with her family and
go to class.
Once Weston was well established in
preschool and the triplets had adjusted
well in the home-based program, Tonya
began pursuing her education part-
time. At first, she began taking on-line
courses while pregnant with her last
daughter, Tori. Tonya was understandably
concerned how all this would work out,
so she began slow. As time went on she
quickly realized if she wanted to get her
nursing degree she would have to go
full time. Tonya enrolled all four of her
younger children in the Council’s Early
Head Start home-based program.
“They were so full of energy and so
inquisitive.”Tina Eckler, one of the
Council’s home-based instructors, said.
“I had the hardest time distinguishing
John David and Austin from each other.
They were constantly giving me the
wrong name and luckily Levi and Tori
would tell me‘no, that’s John Dave’they
did that for probably six months”Tina
said.
The children loved being outside and
are very active which challenged Tina to
be very creative in presenting her lesson
plans for the day. As the children thrived
in their environment, Tina also noticed
how important Tonya was to this family.
“One day last summer I pulled in
and you’re (Tonya) outside making
furniture and I’m just blown away
that you are actually making lawn
furniture… How does lady do this?
You just absolutely amaze me with
your energy and talent.”
Tonya continues to go to school and
is pursuing her education. She is on-
track to graduate in May 2014.
“I have actually maintained a 3.87 GPA,
I’ve got one month to go and I should
graduate with an associates of science
degree in nursing.”Tonya has worked
hard to achieve her goal and her path has
not been easy.“I would stay up to 3:00 in
the morning, go to bed, back up again
at six to get the kids off to school, there
were days with four hours of sleep.”
As Tonya begins to see the light at
the end of the tunnel she encourages
those who find themselves in a difficult
situation to seek assistance and pursue
their dream.“Do not give up, me with
seven children and nursing school, if I
can do it anybody can do it. Community
Action Council [is] amazing! They made
sure my children had the knowledge to
get them started in school… there is a
life out there and only you can make it
better.”

It is often suggested that we should consider the needs of others. This seems to go against our own ingrained survival instinct
and yet this message has been repeated throughout the ages. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said,“Life’s most persistent and urgent
question is, what are you doing for others?”
One thing is certain; the Council’s supporters have received that message loud and clear. The Council’s mission is to prevent, reduce,
and eliminate poverty among individuals, families, and communities through direct services and advocacy, which creates a perpetual
state of considering the needs of others as we design programs and interact with people with low-income. The Council receives
tremendous financial support from the community but we also received more than $2.5 million in in-kind contributions in 2013.
In-kind consists of something other than money such as goods, commodities or services. The simple act of cleaning out a closet
or donating an item you no longer need can be exactly what someone else desperately needs. More importantly, your time
is priceless to a non-profit organization. The contribution of time frees up resources to accomplish more. The outpouring was
unbelievable as contributions came throughout the year.
• PNC Bank started the year off right by
volunteering in classrooms at Russell
School Community Services Center
and offering a check for $3000.
• Also in January the annual Back-a-Vet
program stuffed approximately 150
backpacks for veterans experiencing
homelessness with all donated
hygiene items. The backpacks were
later given to recipients at the HOPE
Center in Lexington.
• In spring the Council’s staff members
and volunteers rolled up their
sleeves along with the community
to build two community gardens -
one in the Winburn neighborhood
in Lexington and another in the
Millersburg community in Paris,
Kentucky. All supplies, seeds, and
most importantly, time, were donated
by the community for the community.
Special thanks to Roe Brothers
Excavating, Wal-Mart, Southern
States, Smith’s Florist and Greenhouse
for contributing to the garden.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW:
It’s Not the KIND of Giving that CountsIn-Kind Donations Helping More than Ever - By Cameron Minter

• Statistically, people with low-income
spend approximately 15-20% of their
income on their utility bills. During
the summer the Council received
$4,370 in donations to purchase
air conditioners for the elderly and
those with a medical condition.
When the weather changed to fall,
more than 150 volunteers donated
their time to weatherize 50 homes
for the winter through the Kentucky
Utilities Winterblitz program. These
two programs are prime examples of
much needed support the Council
could not provide without help from
the community. Many participants
were able to make it through the
summer and prepare for the winter
with your help.
• Also this past winter the Council
received an unbelievable amount
of clothing and food items for
participants during the holiday
season. Participants utilized blankets
from the University of Kentucky
“Wrap Up America”chapter and hats
and scarves from The Stitch Niche
and Warm Up America. A large
amount of coats, hats, gloves and
shoes were donated by PNC Bank in
Lexington. Men’s Wearhouse helped
LEEP participants dress for success
by donating a substantial amount
of men’s suits, shirts, pants, blazers,
and coats. In addition, the University
of Kentucky Center for Community
Outreach donated baskets of food for
the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Wrapping up the year 20 families who
would not be able to afford them
on their own received Christmas
presents from Columbia Gas of
Kentucky volunteers. In preparation
for 2014 the Council began collecting
items for next year’s Back-a-Vet 2014
program. Sara Talbott and the UK
Cooperative Extension Homemakers
donated 75 backpacks and many
personal hygiene items, socks, hats
and gloves for the Back-a-Vet 2014
program.
What an outstanding year. This list does
not begin to capture all the donations
the Council received throughout the
year, but a detailed list of donors are
listed in the back of this report. With your
help the Council is able to provide more
services for more people. Thank you!

PUBLIC
Mr. David O’Neill
Property Valuation Administrator
Fayette County PVA
Mr. Jim Gray
Mayor, LFUCG
Urban County Government
Mr. Art Crosby
Executive Director
Lexington Fair Housing Council
Dr. James Ziliak
Founding Director for the University of
Kentucky Center for Poverty Research
Ms. Kelly R. Duffy
Volunteer Coordinator
Catholic Action Center
Ms. Bryanna Carroll
Legislative Liasion
Kentucky League of Cities
Ms. Joanna Rodes
Director of Family Services
Department of Social Services
Ms. Vanessa Caise
Division of Community Development
Lexington-Fayette Urban Co. Government
Dr. Janet P. Ford
Associate Professor
UK College of Social Work
Attorney Kathy Stein
Member Kentucky Senate
HARRISON COUNTY
Mr. Alex Barnett
Judge-Executive, Harrison County
Courthouse
BOURBON COUNTY
Mr. Donnie Foley
Judge-Executive, Bourbon County
Courthouse
NICHOLAS COUNTY
Mr. Mike Pryor
Judge Executive, Nicholas County
Courthouse
PRIVATE
Mr. Gentry LaRue - Chairman
Urban League
Ms. Marjorie Keller - Secretary
Bluegrass Literacy, Inc.
Mr. Joshua G. Lewis - Treasurer
US Bank
Ms. Susie McEuen - Assistant Treasurer
JP Morgan Chase
Ms. Bettye Simpson
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. John Riley
Fayette County Board of Health
Mr. Richard Heine
League of Women Voters of Lexington, Inc.
Mr. Edward Prentice
United Auto Workers
Dr. Ike Adams
Dean , College of Social Work
University of Kentucky
Ms. Maria Rutherford
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Associate Professor
Dr. Wilson Dickinson
Transylvania University
Ms. Michele Lee - Vice Chairman
Asst. Coordinator
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing
Authority
Dr. Ann Vail
Director, School of Human Environmental
Sciences
CONSUMER
Ms. Debra Jones-Relford
South Lexington Center
Ms. Jackie Brown
Fayette West Center
BOARD of DIRECTORS

Ms. Tyrona Nelson
East End Center
Ms. Roberta Davis
Nicholas County Center
Ms. Judy Bussell
Ms. Elsa Davis
Bourbon County Center
Mr. Carl Rowland
Bourbon County Center
Ms. Kim Farmer
Harrison County Center
Ms. Elizabeth Villafuerte
Ms. Denise Beatty
Cabinet for Health & Family Services-Northern
Bluegrass Service Region
Ms. Lillian Gentry
Downtown Center
Ms. Delilah Leavell
West End Center
Ms. Michele Leach
Winburn Center
Ms. Cynthia Kay
RSVP/Foster Grandparents Policy Council
Mr. Thomas Hood
Fayette Project Independence Participant
Community Action Council’s longtime
Executive Director Jack Burch passed away
on April 9, 2014. Jack began his tenure at
the Council in 1979, taking the helm of an
organization that had experienced serious
financial distress. Over the next 34 years he
built this organization into one of the most
respected and effective community action
organizations in the United States.
Jack retired on June 30, 2013, and spent his
short retirement on the things he loved –
traveling, glass blowing, and gardening – and
was able to spend more time with family
and friends. A passionate advocate for the
poor and marginalized, he will always be
remembered as the loudest voice in the room
on low-income issues and a champion of the
War on Poverty.
JACK BURCH
1945 -2014
▪BoardmembershighlightedinthiscolordenotemembersoftheExecutiveCommittee.

FEDERAL

STATE

PRIVATE

LOCAL

IN-‐Kind

SUMMARY OF REVENUE
▪ FEDERAL $18,434,092
▪ STATE $936,374
▪ PRIVATE $3,399,427
▪ LOCAL $150,975
▪ IN-KIND $2,504,227
TOTAL: $25,425,095

SALARIES $8,814,359
FRINGE BENEFITS $3,964,683
PARTNERSHIPS/CONTRACTUAL $3,940,604
SUPPLIES $663,795
SPACE $1,458,491
TRAVEL $241,814
COMMUNICATIONS & IT $378,802
PARTICIPANT ASSISTANCE $2,902,292
IN KIND EXPENSES $2,504,227
OTHER $248,587
SUB TOTAL $25,117,654
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $307,441
TOTAL $25,425,095
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES

2013
Financial Supporters
$1,000,000+
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
$100,000-$999,999
Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.
Corporation for National & Community Service
Kentucky Utilities
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
United Way of the Bluegrass
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Energy
$10,000-$99,999
Delta Gas
Kentucky American Water
PNC Foundation
$1,000-$9,999
Tim and Rowena Mahloch
Rodes Campbell
Crestwood Christian Church
Fon Rogers
Jeanne Woodberry
Liza Levy
Rosanne Mandia
Lanny Adkins
Eastland Church of God
Jeannette Lucas
Robert and Ruth Straus
Bill and Ruth Ferzacca
$500-$999
The Hope Center
Kentucky State University
Craig and Marion McClain
Sarah Schuetz
Ann Vail
Vicki Sharif
John and Mary Dineen
Jenny Minier and Josh Ederington
The Janet and Robert Weber Family Foundation
Mike Mullinax and Esther Hurlburt
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Jonathan and Stephanie Hamilton
Faith Lutheran Church
Lexington Leadership Foundation
James Ziliak
Jack Burch
$250-$499
Automation Development Corporation
Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital
Gray Construction
Charles & Debra Kratzer
Keith and Phyllis MacAdam
Ada Perry
Karla Underwood
Gentry LaRue
LFUCG Dept. of Social Sevices
Coba Cocina
Bluegrass Area Development District
C. Milton Coughenour
Charles and Mary McGaha
Jane Phillips
Grace Perreiah
Steven and Pamela Sherman
Ron and Pat Lefler Teeple
Ike and Grace Adams
Paul Guthrie
Al Isaac
Douglas and Melanie Roederer
$100-$249
Charlie and Cathy Lanter
Lindsay and Andrei Ponta
Lyle and Wisby Anderson
Bluegrass Dermatology
E A Partners, PLC
Thirza Ellis
Charles and Linda Gorton
David Huff
Mary Hughes
Henry Jackson
Nancy Carpenter & Jeffrey Davis
Donald Keim
Robert and Margaret Krause
John and Linda Lancaster
Elizabeth Lorch
Marilyn Machara
Susie and Kevin McEuen
John and Anne Nash
Johne Parker
Roger Parry
Phil and Loris Points
Ann Portwood
Leon Riggs
James and Gladys Sizemore
Iris Skidmore
Richard and Vicki Stanley
David and Sarah Stevens
Sharon Stoudemire
The Morris Book Shop
Retia Walker
Bonny Watson
Ann Zolondek
Raymond and Jan Isenhour
Andreas Lawn and House Washing
James Creech
Tracy Curtis
Richard Arnold
Charles and Rosemary McCrady
Rick Christman and Melinda Karns
Vanessa Thomas
Elizabeth Wright
Ben and Sharon Reynolds
Paul and Claudia Isenhour
Mami Hayashida

Jane Kerns
Richard and Mary Ann Storm
U.S. Bank
Sandra Williams
John Riley
Willis and Temple Silver
Blue Grass Community Foundation
Ronald and Beth Mills
William Phillips & Ann Chambliss
Raymond and Mary Barry
Ralph Chinn
Melissa Elliott
Mike and Kathy Fister
Ann Garrity
Doug Logsdon
Kitty Portwood
Maryanna Robinson
Brett Spear
Mark and Colleen Swartz
James and Clara Wieland
Valinda Livingston
Marian and Edward Guinn
$1-$99
Denise Baber
Kurt and Melissa Bachelder
Lee Aren Brown
Terry Gibson and Christina Barcelli
Jessica Clark
Anita Coleman
Shirley Cruse
Heayoung Hong
Evelyn Jones
Jeff and Sherry Myers
Maria Bailey
Tina Ecklar
Matt Adams
Nathan and Rachel Baumgartner
Frances Dumbaugh
Janice Fish
Andrea James
Marty and Wendy Jones
Gail Koehler
Elizabeth Portnoff
Gladys Powell
Nicole Johnson
Darrin Lee
Cameron Minter
Robert and Marcia Miller
Kenyetta Mundy
Heather Belcher
Susan Camacho
April Salyers
Mary Smith
Marisa and Chad Aull
Catrena Bowman
Fannie Covington
Arthur Graham
Barbie Howard
Frances Marcum
Patricia Parks
Donia Shuhaiber
Mary Takhtjian
Dennis Webb
Julie Zimmerman
Nancy Peacock
Cheryl Weiss
Danita Coulter
Betty Ann Allen
Joe Anderson
Richard and Rosalind Ante
Vickie Batzka
Frances and Joseph Chlystun
Shirley Cook
Joseph & Judith Engelberg
Lillian Gentry
Jennifer Hans
Phyllis Hasbrouck
Martin and Odette Kaplan
Cynthia Kay
Darlene Kipphut
Michele Lee
John and Connie Loventhal
Michael and Heather McFarland
James and Linda McManis
Freddie Mills
Charles and Donna Moratz
Gabby Morguelan
Brian Rich
Cara Richards
Pamela Royalty
Patricia Snedegar
Steven & Jane Stone
Cary and Madelyn Twyman
White, Greer & Maggard, P.S.C.
Margaret Lowe
Ka’Sondra Brown
April Mullins
Laura Torres
Karen Thomas
Joyce Evans
Joshua Lewis
John Selegue
Mary Wilburn
Joseph Conley
Henry and Judith Mathis
Metropolitan Housing Coalition
Michelle Burns
Bethany Watt
Lorie Furnish
Gayle Gates
Evelyn Herron
Andrea Lee Lawson
Eduardo Nino-Moreno
Lafleesh Patton
Pryntha Alexander Hardenbergh
Deborah Aminoff
Jessie Armstrong
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bean
William and Nona Boatright
James & Ana Mae Brooks
Tina Bryant
Ben Fister
Fitzpatrick’s Furniture
Alfred and Miranda Gajda
Carole Gnatuk
Edward and Gerri Henry II
Houlihan Insurance Agency
Joe Isaac
Steve Kraman
Bruce and Maggie Lanter
Lexington Living Wage Campaign
Beth Lowe
Sarah Maupin
Gary and Melissa Means
Thomas and Mary Neill
C.W. Newkirk
Amanda Okolo
Jane Pyszczynski
Sarah Pyszczynski
Flores Reynolds
John and Sharon Ryan
Arturo Sandoval
Renee Shaw
Mirsada Simic
The Lettering Shop LLC
Ray and Rebecca Tucker
Mary Vaughan
W. Jeff Wahking
Melissa Kane
Kim and Paula Larmore
David Oneill
Kimberly Jacobs
CLARK Material Handling Company
Lee and Linda Goodin
James Scott
Jon Parker
Mary Soulis
Gloria Tompkins
Angelique Bell
John Price
Cindy and Benjamin Isenhour

2013
Some Results From 2013
More than 8,000 applicants requesting emergency food received it through our food banks and/or referrals to God’s
Pantry making the Council one of the largest referral sources in Central Kentucky for food assistance.
408 households live in more energy efficient homes because of the Council’s WeCare program, a partnership with
Kentucky Utilities.
719 participants received some form of weatherization assistance.
28 participants received their GED with help from the Council.
84% of the participants enrolled in the Financial Fitness program increased their financial independence.
The Council had 14 participants complete a post-secondary education program and receive a certificate or diploma.
23 participants improved their financial stability by developing a savings plan toward a long-term financial goal.
Participants who got a job and kept a job
• at least 6 months - 198
• at least 12 Months - 191
174 volunteers donated 58,000 volunteer hours to the Council. More than 32,000 of those hours were donated by people
with low-income investing in their future. This marks a 68% increase in volunteers from 2012
The Council generated $1.1 MILLIONin disposable income in
our communities by processing more than 1,000 free individual tax returns.
According to WIPFLi, a third party accounting firm, the Council spends .92
of every dollar donated to provide services to people with low-income.

2013
Advocating for Affordable Energy
Each year Community Action Council works hard to advocate for affordable utilities in our communities. We work alongside our
participants, utility companies, regulators, and other advocates to help everyone make educated decisions about how utility
costs impact low income families. This work has resulted in millions of dollars in avoided/reduced rate increases and programs
like these that help customers with low-income manage rising costs.
The following programs resulted from the Affordable Utilities Initiative:
Columbia Gas’ Energy Assistance Program provides annual subsidies of $600 to 2,000 customers with an annual budget of
$1,200,000.
Kentucky Utilities’ Home Energy Assistance Program provides monthly subsidies to 2,600 customers of $88 per month during the
heating and cooling season with an annual budget of $1.6 million.
Kentucky American Water H20 provides water bill assistance to approximately 700 customers with an annual budget of $60,000.
Columbia Gas’ WarmWise provides energy efficient furnace replacement to 288 customers with low income through an annual
budget of $730,311.
Kentucky Utilities’ WeCare provides home weatherization assistance to 440 customers with low income with an annual budget of
$687,708.
The statewide Wintercare Energy Fund provides energy assistance annually to approximately 900 utility customers with an annual
program budget of $317,800.
People with low-income spend nearly 15-20 %
of their wages on energy costs.

2013
FAYETTE COUNTY
Administrative and Support Services Center
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 11610
Lexington, KY 40576
Street Address:
710 W. High Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-233-4600 ▪ 859-244-2219 (fax)
Merino Conference Center
321 Merino Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-233-4600
Russell School Community Services Center
520 Toner Street
Lexington, KY 40511
859-554-4350 ▪ 859-309-6988 (fax)
Charles Young Community Center
540 East Third Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-246-0220
Arlington Elementary School
122 Arceme Avenue
Lexington, KY 40505
859-381-3030
Children’s Treehouse of Knowledge
309 Ohio Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-225-9517
Salvation Army Learning Center
736 W. Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-252-7709
UK Early Childhood Lab
12 Erikson Hall
Lexington, KY 40506-0050
859-257-7732
Williams Wells Brown Elementary School
555 East Fifth Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-381-4990 ▪ 859-381-3116 (fax)
West End Center
913 Georgetown Street
Lexington, KY 40511
859-244-2215 ▪ 859-244-2261 (fax)
Big Blue Bird Early Childhood Center
1945 Eastland Parkway
Lexington, KY 40505
859-299-9277
Lexington Hearing and Speech Center
350 Henry Clay Boulevard
Lexington, KY 40502
859-268-4545
Megaminds Educare
679 Lima Drive
Lexington, KY
859-317-8888 or 859-317-8898
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
707 Howard Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-381-3263
Fayette West Center
1902 Cambridge Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
859-246-1192 ▪ 859-246-1194 (fax)
BCTC Child Development Center
164 Opportunity Way
Lexington, KY 40511
859-253-2316
Bracktown Academy
3016 Bracktown Road
Lexington, KY 40511
859-263-2267
Cherish the Child Care Center
102 Dennis Drive
Lexington, KY 40503
859-276-0027
One Parent Family Scholar House
1156 Horseman’s Lane
Lexington, KY 40504
859-252-4828
South Lexington Center
1317 Centre Parkway
Lexington, Ky.
859-273-6395 ▪ 859-273-8816 (fax)
Kiwanis Child Development Center
1317 Centre Parkway
Lexington, KY 40517
859-245-2775
Southeast Child Development Center
3712 Arbor Court
Lexington, KY 40517
859-245-5195
Locations

Campus Kids Early Learning Center
1165 Centre Parkway, Suite 225
Lexington, KY 40510
859-271-7670
KinderCare Learning Center - Custer Drive
3199 Custer Drive
Lexington, KY 40517
859-272-8673
KinderCare Learning Center - Appian Way
3600 Appian Way
Lexington, KY 40517
859-273-2212
KinderCare Learning Center – Wilhite Drive
2611 Wilhite Drive
Lexington, KY 40503
859-276-2567
National Academy
3500 Arbor Drive
Lexington, KY 40517
859-273-3292
Shaw's Child Care
2813 Snow Road
Lexington, KY 40517
859-266-9981
Winburn Center
1169 Winburn Drive
Lexington, KY 40511
859-294-5249 ▪ 859-299-5440 (fax)
BOURBON COUNTY
Wesley’s Place
1414 Main Street
Paris, KY 40361
859-987-5277 ▪ 859-988-0357 (fax)
Bourbon County Child Development Center
311 High Street
Paris, KY 40361
859-987-8579
Millersburg Child Development Center Office
1113 Main Street
Millersburg, KY 40348
859-484-3860
HARRISON
216 Old Lair Road
Cynthiana, KY 41031
859-234-2121 ▪ 859-234-7209 (fax)
Lebus Child Development Center
118 N. Walnut Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
859-235-8746
Terrace Park Child Development Center
151 Federal Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
859-234-7205
NICHOLAS COUNTY
149 Scrubgrass Road
Carlisle, KY 40311
859-289-7172 ▪ 859-289-7173 (fax)
Shepherd Place
639 Dorsey Avenue
Carlisle, KY 40311
859-289-6633
Nicholas County Elementary School
105 School Drive
Carlisle, KY 40311
859-289-3785 ▪ 859-289-6240 (fax)
SCOTT COUNTY
Scroggin Park Child Development Center
135 Scroggin Park
Georgetown, KY 40324
502-868-9093 / 502-867-1845
MADISON COUNTY
Madison County Migrant Head Start
2323 Lexington Road
Richmond, KY 40475
859-623-0057

P.O. Box 11610
Lexington, Kentucky 40576
1-800-244-2275
www.commaction.org
SCAN WITH LAYAR

2013 Annual ReportLR

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