Statewide Initiatives
Statewide Initiatives
Champions
2023 NCCAA Hall of Fame
Sharon C. Goodson
North Carolina Community Action Association Executive Director
A humble and visionary leader, Sharon C. Goodson represents the united voice of North Carolina’s statewide network of 34 community action agencies, whose overarching mission is to move individuals/families from dependence toward independence from public programs. For nearly 20 years, she has toiled to strengthen staff capacity, public/private partnerships and to diversify the organization’s funding. Under her leadership the Association has grown from a staff of one to a staff of 15, and has built partnerships with Duke Energy, PNC Bank, the NC Dept. of Public Safety, The Duke Endowment, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina. These partnerships have led to more than $40 million in funding to assist vulnerable North Carolinians as they navigate the challenge of having more month than money. For more than 15 years, Sharon concurrently served as Executive Director for the regional association, the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA). Under her leadership SEACAA increased its revenue base, identified regional public policy issues, expanded partnerships, created and expanded training/certificate programs and conferences, as well as implemented strategic communications, especially by enhancing the Association’s digital presence. Prior to joining the North Carolina Community Action Association, she was executive director for a community development corporation in northeastern North Carolina. In that role, she worked to secure a $1.75 million grant to rehabilitate and develop affordable housing in one of the oldest African American communities in the region. Additionally, she conceptualized and implemented the City of Elizabeth City’s first Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Community-wide Celebration, and ultimately had a street named in his honor. Ms. Goodson has a BA Degree in Communications from East Carolina University, is a Nationally Certified ROMA Master Trainer, Jump Start (Entrepreneurial Development) trainer, and Poverty Simulation trainer.
Rhodda Medley
Blue Ridge Community Action
Staff
As a childcare center director that has helped assist some of the state’s most underserved populations, Rhodda Medley has been nothing short of exemplary during her 30 years at Blue Ridge Community Action. Her initial start in childcare was as a classroom teacher in 1993; and she soon became center director. Rhodda completed college while working full-time and has been named agency Employee of the Month. Her commitment to her community and the families she serves through Head Start, Early Head Start, NC-PREK, and daycare programs has been evident throughout her career. Rhodda serves on the Caldwell County Child Fatality Committee and has for many years. Many children whom she has served as a teacher and center director have come back years later, requesting to enroll their child at Rhodda’s center solely because of the significant impact that she has made on the lives of the children and families she has served. Rhodda has served hundreds upon hundreds of children families through the decades in the Lenoir community. Her friendly, calm demeanor makes her a friendly face in a world that is difficult for so many, and her dedication to those she serves truly embodies the mission of Community Action by helping people and changing lives.
Elizabeth “Lynn” Harper
Blue Ridge Community Action
Staff
Lynn Harper’s excellent work ethic, loyalty, longevity, and dedication have positively changed her agency and community, and she has been an invaluable asset to Blue Ridge Community Action’s child development program for 29 years. Ms. Lynn has worked in all capacities at the center, including Acting Director, Janitor, Floater, and Wrap-Around Teacher, and her dedication to the mission of helping people and changing lives is an inspiration. She has shaped the minds of countless children and made a lasting impact on their lives. Lynn’s enduring commitment to success and her willingness to go above and beyond her job duties is instrumental in her organization’s success. Even during personal life crises, Lynn has steadfastly committed to our program and the children we serve. Her selflessness and willingness to put the needs and wants of others before her own make her a light for her agency and community.
Dorothy Counts Scoggins
Charlotte Area Fund
Champion
The life journey of Dorothy Counts Scoggins, civil rights activist and CAF board member is one of tenacious courage and integrity that still inspires and informs after 65 years. The enormous historical impact that Ms. Counts-Scoggins and her family had on North Carolina school integration and racial equity and across the nation remains inestimable. At a time when Black lives explicitly mattered little it was this family with community support that risked personal injury or worse to do what was right against a defiant social system that represented all that was wrong. The Dorothy Counts family legacy featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC and in countless films and books has long been required reading in public education and higher education courses on American history and civil rights. My joining CAF was largely inspired by wanting to be proximate to this living legend and to the social justice ideals she continues to represent at 80 years old. Today, we as community action leaders are the beneficiaries of Ms. Counts Scoggins family’s proud legacy of civil disobedience against systemic racism. NCCAA owes Ms. Counts Scoggins an enormous debt of gratitude for her family’s service to North Carolina and the nation. While Ms. Counts Scoggins has been honored across the globe, the Hall of Fame Award illustrates in the spirit of community action how a family can stand up against oppression and discrimination and change the course of history.
Delores McCoy Holloway
Action Pathways
Staff
Delores Holloway, Weatherization Field Coordinator for Action Pathways, has worked in the Weatherization Assistance Program since 1982. She began with the Council on Aging, now known as Resources for Seniors, Inc., and was hired through the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) on-the-job training program as a Weatherization crew member. During her tenure with the program, Delores has held the titles of Crew Member, Weatherization Field Coordinator, Residential Energy Manager, Project Manager, and Energy Director, and has worked at several community action agencies including Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action, Operation Breakthrough Inc., Wake Opportunities, Action Pathways, Inc., and Resources for Seniors. In the early 80’s she was one of the few women to work in the field as a crew member. Later in her career, Delores played an instrumental part in assisting with the American Recovery Reinvestment Act and, most recently, helped navigate the COVID-19 Pandemic. Delores truly embodies the spirit of hope and community action.
Melissa Soto
WAMY Community Action
Executive Director
Melissa Soto will retire in July after over three decades at the helm of WAMY Community Action in Boone. Soto began working at WAMY in 1992 as a case manager in a job training program. She was named executive director of WAMY in 2012, and managed a staff that grew to 11 employees across a four-county area, leading fundraising efforts and community outreach and managing agency grants. “My staff members are the true superheroes of WAMY,” Soto said recently. They give their jobs everything they’ve got. Not only do they all make monthly donations back to the agency, but they have worked on housing projects, served food, painted school walls, and cleaned client homes.” “For the past 31 years, Melissa has devoted her career to helping others by offering them the tools and resources needed to overcome poverty,” WAMY Director of Development Allison Jennings says. “Her vision, wisdom and leadership have changed the lives of thousands of people in the High Country and made our community a better place for us all to grow and thrive.”
Annette Orbert
Alamance Co. Community
Services Agency
Executive Director
For nearly seven years, Annette Orbert has led the efforts of Alamance County Community Services in Burlington, North Carolina. A small but mighty agency, Orbert’s leadership led the state to take notice of the number of families being served and connected to needed resources through the NCCARES360 platform. A scheduled visit to the agency by then NC Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Mandy Cohen was canceled due to the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but recognition for Orbert’s work and her agency remain high.
Annette Orbert
Alamance Co. Community
Services Agency
Executive Director
For nearly seven years, Annette Orbert has led the efforts of Alamance County Community Services in Burlington, North Carolina. A small but mighty agency, Orbert’s leadership led the state to take notice of the number of families being served and connected to needed resources through the NCCARES360 platform. A scheduled visit to the agency by then NC Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Mandy Cohen was canceled due to the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but recognition for Orbert’s work and her agency remain high.
Mark A. Carden
Mountain Projects
Staff
A Mountain Projects employee since 1986, Mark Carden moved to central intake in 2001. A critical role, central intake is the first step for clients who seek help, and part of Mark’s job includes determining unmet needs. On an average workday Mark receives 50 or more calls for help. Mark treats each call like they are a member of his family, and whether the matter is food, heat, shelter, or clothes, Mark’s determination to find helpful resources is extraordinary. Many times, Mark has stayed after hours to make sure clients needs are met and they are stabilized. Recently, a mother had her power disconnected and Mark stayed late acting as a go-between for the client and the power company until her power was restored. He couldn’t go home that night until he knew that client and her children would have heat. In his 36-year career with Mountain Projects, Mark has assisted thousands of families and made their life better by finding a way to say yes with compassion, kindness, and love.
Elizabeth “Liz” A. James
Mountain Projects
Staff
Elizabeth A. James retired as a full-time Mountain Projects employee in 2021 after thirty-two years of service, mostly in intake. Her smile and kindness always put those in need at ease. She was responsible for determining eligibility for programs such as HUD, Head Start, and Weatherization. When Mountain Projects launched a central portal of entry into the organization we didn’t know if it would work, but it was quite a success thanks to the early dedication and work of Liz, who built strong working relationships with programs and had a knack for finding solutions to challenges and obstacles. She rarely made mistakes, and programs and auditors could count on her accuracy. Liz also coordinated the Mountain Projects Day of Caring team, recruiting her husband many others to assist the homebound and fragile with access ramps, repairs and overall safety. Liz continues to assist Mountain Projects in her retirement, and the agency calls on her often when extra hands are needed. We can always count on Liz! “I hope I made a difference in someone’s life,” she says. “I believe people who need assistance with everyday barriers should be treated with respect and like human beings and nothing less.”
Carlton L. Mathews
Mountain Projects
Board of Directors
In 2019 Carl became the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and is the first person in agency history to act as the Policy Council and Board Chair at the same time. As the Board Chair, he often sends handwritten thank-you notes to the staff, drops by gifts at our sites and centers, and writes special poems of inspiration. When COVID arrived Carl communicated daily with the Executive Director and board to help determine a path forward while ensuring the safety and well-being of the staff. When Mountain Projects converted the parking lot into an assembly area for food boxes, Carl was there packing and helping alongside the staff. In the middle of COVID he purchased yard banners for our sites that said, “heroes work here”. Challenges have been many during COVID, including a major flood and loss of life. At some of the most challenging times, Carl’s greatest words of comfort were “I am praying”. Carl’s leadership helped guide Mountain Projects during one of the most uncertain times in our country’s history. Patsy Davis, Executive Director describes Carl as a faithful, compassionate and amazing leader who provides strength, encouragement, and a positive influence every day to the staff.
Tammy Roper
Blue Ridge Community Action
Staff
Tammy Roper started at Blue Ridge Community Action (BRCA) 32 years ago as a substitute, and has since worked at several BRCA childcare centers. Over the course of her employment, she has worked with children of all ages. She moved to Head Start in 1992, earned her CDA in the early nineties, received her AAS in Early Childhood in 2003, and finished her bachelor’s in early childhood education in 2009. In 1994 she became a Center Director and dental manager for Head Start. Tammy has won employee of the quarter with BRCA several times as well as Supervisor of the Year for the Foster Grandparent program. She never hesitates to go the extra mile for the good of the children and families she serves, and during her years of employment, thousands of staff, children, and families have benefited from her knowledge and dedication. Tammy serves on numerous Burke County boards and committees, including the NCPK Board, Catawba Valley Healthy Families, Foster Grandparent Advisory Committee, and Safe Kids of Burke County, and is loved and respected by her staff and all agency employees. She is a great asset to Blue Ridge Community Action!
Jane F. Harrison
Mountain Projects
Staff
Jane Harrison started her career with Mountain Projects in October 2008, and her early job duties included working in our Prevention Department helping educate teens on smart life choices. She taught a class to first-time youth offenders and helped many young adults avoid behavior that would put them at further risk for incarceration. When the Affordable Care Act became law, Jane wrote and submitted a grant for Mountain Projects to operate a healthcare navigator grant. That grant was awarded, Jane became a navigator, and Mountain Projects continues today to provide support for enrollment into the Affordable Care Act. The respected program is often called to assist in our community and is involved with a rapid response team covering seven counties that reacts to sudden layoffs, and Jane’s consistent efforts have led to over 13,000 new health care enrollments. It’s not unusual for Jane to get thank you cards from people who feel their lives were saved because they obtained health care insurance and got the medical attention they needed. In addition, Jane writes grants for other agency programs and unmet needs. To date over five million dollars of grants have been awarded. From children to seniors to those in need of housing, thousands have benefited from her efforts. An Octogenarian who has not slowed down, Jane continues to go above and beyond to further the work of Mountain Projects Community Action Agency and meet the ever-changing human needs of those who struggle the hardest.
Horace P. Dykes, Jr.
Mountain Projects
Board of Directors
Bucky Dykes joined the Mountain Projects Board of Directors in 2018, after a career in accounting and auditing. He has shared his lifetime of knowledge and experience with Mountain Projects’ finance staff, donating thousands of hours to the agency. Bucky mentored the agency’s new CFO to help her gain knowledge in all aspects of financial operations. At times if hands-on assistance were needed Bucky didn’t hesitate to assist. Bucky not only gives time, but he also is a significant contributor to Mountain Projects. He assisted in the founding of Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership, which focuses on preserving the American dream of homeownership for lower wage income earners. To date, more than 300 families have applied. It is projected that nearly one hundred additional homes will come online in the next five years thanks to contributors that included Bucky Dykes.
