Month: May 2024

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 14, 2024) – As part of its ongoing commitment to building and strengthening the network of Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies, Community Action Kentucky (CAK) is pleased to announce Rick Baker, as its new Executive Director, effective June 3, 2024.

Catrena Bowman, CAK’s Board Chair, shared her excitement about Baker’s appointment saying, “The board of directors are excited to announce the hiring of Rick Baker as Community Action Kentucky’s (CAK) new Executive Director. Rick has worked for many years in the Community Action Network and is a Certified Community Action Professional. He is the former Executive Director of LKLP Community Action Council and is currently serving as the 1^st Vice-Chair on the National Community Action Partnership board. We are all looking forward to seeing the direction Rick takes our state association.”

Rick Baker, a seasoned professional in the Community Action Network, expressed his enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “I am deeply honored to be selected to help lead Community Action in Kentucky. I have spent 34 years in service to Community Action and I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of the first executive director of Community Action Kentucky, the late Jesse Amburgey. I am committed to maintaining the high level of excellence that Community Action provides to the citizens of our Commonwealth, especially to help alleviate the distress of poverty. For the past 60 years Community Action has helped people and changed lives. I look forward to helping our 23 Community Action Agencies continue this great work for the next 60 years!”

As Executive Director, Baker will oversee the strategic direction of CAK, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and community partners to ensure the continued growth and success of Kentucky’s Community Action Network. His leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Community Action in Kentucky, driving innovative strategies to combat poverty, mobilizing resources, and fostering community engagement and leadership development across its network of 23 Community Action Agencies.

For more information about CAK and the 23 CAAs in Kentucky, visit https://www.capky.org/.

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About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting all 23 Community Action agencies across Kentucky that work to empower individuals and families to attain greater economic stability and improved health outcomes. With a presence in all 120 Kentucky counties, Community Action agencies provide life-changing resources and programs to support a wide array of service areas, including food security, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing assistance, workforce development, youth enrichment and more. As a statewide voice for local agencies, Community Action Kentucky works to address policy issues that impact low-income individuals and cultivates broad-reaching partnerships that improve the lives of thousands of Kentuckians, making it possible for them to achieve their goals. For more information about Community Action Kentucky, visit www.CAPKY.org.

Empowering Individuals and Families across the Commonwealth

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2024) – Imagine a Kentucky where every individual and family has the resources they need to thrive. That is the vision that has fueled 60 years of Community Action.

May is designated as Community Action Month, a time to celebrate our collective mission of empowering individuals and families to attain greater economic stability and long-term success. Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies have been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people annually, providing life-changing resources.

Community Action Agencies were established as part of President Lyndon B Johnson’s War on Poverty. What makes these agencies special is their use of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), a federal grant program designed to combat poverty at the local level. The CSBG network includes over 1,000 agencies across the country.

Kentucky’s Community Action Network is comprised of 23 agencies, who collectively serve all 120 counties. CAAs offer a comprehensive range of services. These include food security, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing, workforce development, and family advocacy.

As we celebrate this legacy, we also look to the future, renewing our commitment to serve Kentucky communities through our 23 CAAs and empower individuals and families to build better lives.

In honor of this milestone, we invite all Kentuckians to share their stories of how Community Action has positively impacted their lives or communities on our Facebook page @ComActionKY. Your experiences help highlight the invaluable work of our agencies and inspire others to engage with and support our mission.

For more information about CAK and the 23 CAAs in Kentucky, visit https://www.capky.org/.

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About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting all 23 Community Action agencies across Kentucky that work to empower individuals and families to attain greater economic stability and improved health outcomes. With a presence in all 120 Kentucky counties, Community Action agencies provide life-changing resources and programs to support a wide array of service areas, including food security, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing assistance, workforce development, youth enrichment and more. As a statewide voice for local agencies, Community Action Kentucky works to address policy issues that impact low-income individuals and cultivates broad-reaching partnerships that improve the lives of thousands of Kentuckians, making it possible for them to achieve their goals. For more information about Community Action Kentucky, visit www.CAPKY.org.