Please share your responsibilities as the President/CEO of United Communities Against Poverty, Inc.
As the President/CEO of United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. my role is to serve as the leader of this Community Action Agency. As the leader of UCAP, I work to ensure that the Mission & Vision of the organization is achieved. Our mission is to provide solutions to alleviate poverty in Prince George’s County’s diverse communities. This is achieved by the provision of key services that focus on the following services:
- Affordable Housing Services
- Emergency Shelter Services for Women and Children
- Family Stabilization for Formerly Homeless
- Food Pantry Distribution
- Financial Literacy Education
- Neighborhood Development
These basic services are critical components needed in Prince George’s County and helps to stabilize the lives of the homeless, low-income and those living in poverty conditions. As a safety net organization we are charged with ensuring that those we serve achieve and maintain stability and self-sufficiency. Our vision is to eliminate poverty and maximize self-sufficiency in Prince George’s County.
Given the enormous amount of pressure, what motivates you to continue the fight?
I am motivated because of my passion to serve and to help others that are less fortunate. Female heads of households with children are likely to be poor (21 percent) of African American women in Prince George’s County are likely to live in severe poverty while two-thirds of these families are more likely to be living in unaffordable housing that captures 30 percent or more of their family’s gross income). Female-headed household’s economic security depends upon having sufficient income, a strong social support system and access to preventative resources to cover their expenses. We serve nearly 600 women and children annually in our emergency homeless shelter, which is Shepherd’s Cove. The needs that these women face continue to grow each year. UCAP wants to decrease and better yet eliminate our services; however, the economic conditions that many face remain a challenge for so many now in 2014. Because 90% or more of those we serve are female heads of household, it is important for our work to continue.
We must continue the fight and acknowledge the work that is still needed 50 years after the “War on Poverty” was launched in the early 1960s. There is still a tremendous need for the work of UCAP. I am committed to continuing the fight in these economically challenging times.
What are you doing to celebrate your 50th anniversary of UCAP?
Our agency will embark upon a great celebration on June 6 of this year with a grand event at the National Gaylord Resort, hosted by celebrity guest Malik Yoba, a great star and humanitarian. There will be a spectacular dinner, silent auction and entertainment that will surely attract others to learn more about our work. Please go to our website at www.ucappgc.org for more details.
How can people get involved and help with UCAP?
We want people to visit our website and learn about the great opportunities that one can get involved in serving the community through volunteerism, providing in-kind support and resources to help us sustain our organization for another 50 plus years. We need people to come and see our operation, help feed those in need, tutor our homeless children, donate food, and help the thousands of people that we serve each year in need of support. Again, visit our website and call us at 301-322-5700 to learn how you can get involved.
What qualifies someone needing assistance from an agency like UCAP?
We serve all those in need living in Prince George’s County. As the designated Community Action Agency, our eligibility requirements are targeted to serve those living below the federal poverty level, those that are homeless and those that face economic challenges that need basic services like: food, emergency financial assistance, shelter, and affordable housing.
What was your most proud moment in working at UCAP?
I have several accomplishments that I am fortunate to report, but I am particularly proud of three:
1.) The expansion of our food pantry to better serve the community. The additional space provided more storage space and allowed the agency to purchase freezers to offer more perishable food to those in need. We partnered with Comcast, Home Depot and Leadership Prince George’s to help with the expansion.
2.) The creation of a Reading Center which offers more books and financial reading materials for our women and children. This space expansion was spearheaded by Capital One Bank and the Heart of America Foundation.
3.)The establishment of our donation center which provides a variety of items such as: sheets, pillowcases, small appliances, toiletry items, etc. for those leaving the shelter.
Each component described has allowed the agency an opportunity to enhance our work in Prince George’s County by offering food, supplies, and personal care items to the formerly homeless and those living in poverty throughout the community.
