Schuylkill Community Action: About Agency

Schuylkill Community Action About Our Agency

Schuylkill Community Action Executive Board

As a Community Action Agency, Schuylkill Community Action is governed by its Board of Directors. Schuylkill Community Action's Board consists of twenty-one (21) members, 1/3 of which are elected by low-income groups as representatives from designated organizations, groups or target areas; 1/3 representing elected public officials and 1/3 representing the private sector. This multi-sector participation allows those three groups to leverage distinct perspectives, understandings and strengths to the task of helping low-income people become more self-sufficient.

Schuylkill Community Action
2007-2008 Board Members, Representatives and Alternates

Public Sector (Term Aug. 2005 - Aug. 2008)
Frank Staudenmeier Chairman, Schuylkill County Commissioners Schuylkill County Courthouse 401 North Second Street Pottsville, PA 17901 246 Germanville Road Ashland, PA 17921 Office Phone: 628-1202 Home Phone: Representative: Mark Scarbinsky, Director Economic Development Office Phone: 628-1167	Schuylkill County Commissioner Chairman
Mantura M. Gallagher Schuylkill County Commissioner Schuylkill County Court House 401 North Second Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 628-1203 Representative: Erica Ramus 115 S. Centre St. Pottsville, PA 17901 Home: 739-3337 Cell: 449-2131	Schuylkill County Commissioner
Robert S. Carl, Jr. Schuylkill County Commissioner Schuylkill County Court House 401 North Second Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 628-1201 Representative:	Schuylkill County Commissioner
Micah J. Gursky 502 Arlington Street Tamaqua, PA 18252 Office Phone: 668-1240 Home Phone: 668-9055 Representative:	Tamaqua Borough Council Member
John Reiley, Mayor of Pottsville City Hall 401 North Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 622-1234 Representative: Mary Ann Dragna Community Development Office 401 North Centre St. Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 628-4417	Mayor, City of Pottsville
Representative Tim Holden Member in Congress Schuylkill County Office 101 North Centre Street, Suite 303 Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: 622-4212 Representative: Tom Zenker 1635 Lightfoot Drive Auburn, PA 17922 Phone: 739-2768	U.S. Congressman, Sixth District
Patricia A. Schnitzius 320 West Mahanoy Street Mahanoy City, PA 17948 Work Phone: 628-6054 Home Phone: 773-2961	Councilperson, Mahanoy City

Private Sector (Term Aug. 2006 - Aug. 2009)
Mary Diffenderfer 324 North Nice Street Frackville, PA 17931 Home Phone: 874-0100	Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. 91 South Progress Avenue Pottsville, PA 17901
Kenneth Stolarick M & T Bank One South Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901 108 Pine Ridge Drive Pine Grove, PA 17963 Office Phone: 622-4200, Ext. 9214 Home Phone: 345-8637	M & T Bank One South Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901
Sarah Donohue Adult Probation Office 300 North Third Street Pottsville, PA 17901 352 South Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 628-1290 Home Phone: 622-8328	Business & Professional Women's Club
John F. Patton 21 N. Wyoming Street Hazleton, PA 18201 Office Phone: 455-3636	Accountant
Norm Zwolenik 19 Clarryan Street Tamaqua, PA 18252 Home Phone: 668-5795 Cell: 570-640-5470	Community Banks
Dave Wilson 2150 Woodglen Road Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 874-4516, Ext. 131 Home Phone: 628-4316	State Correctional Institution 1111 Altamont Blvd. Frackville, PA 17931
Larry Klouser PO Box 15 Valley View, PA 17983 Phone: 682-9835	Tri-Valley Charities, Inc. PO Box 751 Valley View, PA 17983

Low Income Sector (Term Aug. 2007 - Aug. 2010)
Rose Marteslo 672 Sunbury Street Minersville, PA 17954 Phone: 617-8623 - 544-6399 Alternate:	Minersville Family Development Project
Jean A. Haberl 189 Pioneer Road Shenandoah, PA 17976 Phone: 462-3946 Alternate: Judy Pinczker 435 Furance Street Shenandoah, PA 17976 Phone: 462-2131	Shenandoah Food Pantry Target Area
Teresa Gruber 8A South 19th Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Home Phone: 622-5822 Alternate: Ron Heffner 101 West Race St., Apt. 202 Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: 628-2772	Pottsville Area Food Pantry Target Area
Mal Bartram 59 Weavers Road Pottsville, PA 17901 Home Phone: 385-3035 Alternate: Sally Morgan United Cerebral Palsy Agricultural Park Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: 622-7920	Avenues
Billie Payne Pottsville Housing Authority 410 Laurel Blvd. Pottsville, PA 17901 213 North 4th Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Office Phone: 628-2702 Fax: 628-5910 Alternate: Arvernett Mayo 635 John O'Hara St. Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: 628-2409	John O'Hara Housing Development
Judy Mills 211 Schuylkill Avenue Shenandoah, PA 17976 Home Phone: 570-691-6740 Alternate: Mary Anne Devlin, Executive Director Child Development Inc. 420 University Drive Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 Home Phone: 385-3986	Child Development, Inc.
Eddie Albert 1414 Stag Drive Auburn, PA 17922 Home Phone: 739-2550 Alternate: Howard Fessler 300 East Union Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 Home Phone: 385-4367	Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry Target Area

Our Mission

Schuylkill Community Action is a private, non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The primary purpose of SCA shall be to coordinate and focus all available resources upon the needs of low-income Schuylkill County residents enabling them to obtain adequate, affordable housing and secure opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency.

Our History

Schuylkill Community Action was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1965. It was formed as a result of the combination of two (2) community action grant programs operated by the City of Pottsville and the County of Schuylkill. The agency went by the name "The Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County" until it officially changed its name to "Schuylkill Community Action" on July 1, 2000.

Primary funding originated from the Federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which gave legal authority for local governments to establish community action agencies. This Act was a major part of President Johnson's "War on Poverty." The Economic Opportunity Act was the first major Legislation that required active citizen participation in planning and implementing federally funded programs at the local level.

In 1974, Congress amended the Economic Opportunity Act, creating the Community Services Administration. Implementation of CSA activities and monitoring was conducted through ten (10) Regional Offices. The Community Services Administration also funded State Economic Opportunity Offices, which were designated by the Governors in each state to mobilize resources at the state level to assist community action agencies.

In 1981, federal legislation known as the Omnibus Reconciliation Act repealed most of the Economic Opportunity Act. The Community Services Administration was eliminated as a separate federal agency and the Omnibus Reconciliation Act, Subtitle B, Section 671, established the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Funds provided to community action agencies through CSBG were now channeled through the states instead of coming directly from the federal government. The Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services now administers the CSBG Program. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Community & Economic Development, Office of Community Services receives the block grant funds, which are distributed by formula to community action agencies.

Schuylkill Community Action is currently the primary organization for addressing the needs of low-income residents of Schuylkill County. SCA still utilizes the Community Services Block Grant Program as its core funding source, and employs those funds to leverage a wide range of federal, state, local and private resources.

Our Role in the Community

SCA serves as an advocate for low-income residents of Schuylkill County. Through an on-going dialogue with local, state, and federal decision makers, SCA advocates for programs and legislation benefiting low-income Schuylkill County residents. In addition, our case managers provide advocacy services to clients by ensuring support for their needs within the network of various local agencies and systems.

Our role as Leader

Over the years, SCA has established itself as a leader among many community organizations
Schuylkill County Homebuyer Coalition
The Schuylkill County Homebuyer Coalition was developed in July 1996 with a $7,500 'seed' grant from the Fannie Mae Foundation and contributions from local lenders. SCA facilitates the Coalition in which Nine local lenders provide input for Homebuyer Education programming. Local lenders include: M&T Bank, Wachovia Bank, Sovereign Bank, Community Banks, N.A., KNBT, Leesport Bank, Liberty Savings Bank, Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank, Northwest Savings Bank.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board was established by the Schuylkill County Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ordinance. As the County's designated administrator of the Act 137 funds, SCA also serves an organizational role in its work with the Board. The Board functions as an advisory board formulating procedures, guidelines and recommendations to the Board of Commissioners which has the final decision-making authority.

Schuylkill County Homeless Coalition

SCA serves as the fiscal conduit by which Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program funds support the Schuylkill County Homeless Coalition. SCA facilitates the quarterly meetings of the only local coalition charged with addressing the issue of homelessness.

Committee and Coalition Memberships

Our role as a member of various committees and coalitions ensures that our mission is represented throughout the community. It is through this role that the needs of low income residents are vocalized and the bonds between social service networks are strengthened. Memberships include a wide variety of groups, including but not limited to:

Association of Schuylkill County Services

Bridge House Screening Committee

Pottsville Area Development Corporation
Board of Directors

Schuylkill County Child Development Policy Council

Schuylkill County Children and Youth
Independent Living Mentoring Council, Crossing Bridges Council

Schuylkill County Comprehensive
Planning Committee

Schuylkill County Homeless Coalition

Northeast Regional Homeless Advisory Board

Schuylkill County Emergency
Food and Shelter Board

Schuylkill County Parks and Recreation
Commission

Sovereign Bank Community Advisory
Committee

Team Pennsylvania CareerLink Management Committee

Regional Housing Advisory Committee
Northeast Region

SCA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

SCA is firmly committed to the provision of assistance regardless of race, color, age, national origin, sex, familial status or disability.

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