United Services Community Action Agency serving Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties in Missouri

Work Experience Participant quote and photo

A “tripartite” Board of Directors governs United Services Community Action Agency.

One-third of our members represent low-income citizens, one-third are public officials or their designees, with the remaining third representing the private sector.

This mix of representation on the Board assures that the voice of the low-income are heard and that those with the power to address their issues are in a position to act.

OFFICERS
Dr. Zavon F. Kanion, President
Mr. Ralph Reid, 1st Vice President
Mr. Alan Gremli, 2nd Vice President
Mr. Stewart S. Myers, Secretary
Ms. Jane Fowler, Treasurer
Mr. Mark Lindsay, Parliamentarian

DIRECTORS

Ms. Lindy Belton
Mr. Richard DeHart
Ms. Meg Hardin
Ms. Barbara Lunn

Mr. Clyde McQueen
Mr. Troy Thomas
Mr. Don Witt

To most of us, it is no surprise that life is hard. We all hit a few bumps along the way. But most of us are holding at least a couple of good “cards” in our hand: excellent health, a decent job, a good education, a supportive family, or perhaps just a resilient nature and a little good luck. So when we do hit a bump in the road — even something serious, like losing a job or a disability — we CAN recover. We have other things going for us — we have more “good cards” to play.

However, when a family is in poverty, MOST of their cards are worse than second-rate. Their problems are often complex and compounded by things outside their control — like a disability in the family or a poor education. Their lives are precarious, even in good times. Any bump in the road is disastrous to their well-being and they end up in crisis and in our offices.

That is why USCAA believes the focus of our programming should be in strengthening their “hand.” Our programs are built around building the fundamental strengths that undergird families’ health, work, education, family support and life skills. It may not be easy, but families are then better equipped to make it down that long road toward their life’s goals—bumps and all.

— Dr. Zavon F. Kanion, Board President
Tommie Barnett, Executive Director