The Chairman of the Board

Welcome message from the Community Action Partnership Commission

Chairman Jenice Haskin

Dear Reader,

This is my last message as your Chair. The Community Action Commission and CAP Riverside have had an incredible two-year run, meeting unforeseen challenges and making a difference in the lives of many low-income residents of Riverside County. We are constantly reaching out to community, letting our customers know about our services and the hope that we can give to lift those in need out of poverty.

I would like to reflect on the accomplishments of the Community Action Commission (CAC) and CAP Riverside during my two-year term. We completed our needs assessment, which is the foundation for our Strategic Plan. We met the challenges of ARRA, leading the state in our accomplishments. We have greatly expanded our Mediation program, focusing on measures to prevent conflict through community workshops and Peer Mediation in our schools.

Using the model of our successful Cool Centers, we introduced Warm Centers to provide relief to our vulnerable populations during times of cold weather. We introduced the Food Security program, which targets hunger and nutrition needs of low-income individuals.

We did a self-assessment of the CAC, which resulted in an updating of our by-laws, and paved the way for our CAC elections. Our new commissioners are highlighted in the latest Action Gram newsletter. I wish to welcome each of them to the CAC.

I am so grateful to our community, when hundreds of you took the time to write letters to our Representatives in Congress telling your concerns over proposals to cut Community Services Block Grant funding, which is the lifeblood of Community Action programs.

It has been an honor serving these past two years, and CAP Riverside has continued its culture of excellence as we face unprecedented need due to the economy. I offer my wholehearted support and best wishes to my successor, Gene Walker, as he assumes the chairmanship.