Hope, Help & Change

The cost of living in our communities exceeds what many working families can comfortably afford. Paychecks don't always stretch to cover basic needs, so many families are struggling to make ends meet. Even though more people are working and Oregon's minimum wage is among the nation's highest, lower wages are not covering the basic costs of living.

For over 47 years, Community Action has been offering hope, help and change for families in transition. Community Action programs promote the birth of health babies, reduce the potential for child abuse and neglect, increase children's chances for success in school, and improve the quality and accessibility of child care. We also offer energy assistance and help to prevent homelessness.

Community Action also works with employers, providing information about programs that can assist low-wage workers. We promote the vision that Washington County residents are strong, resilient and involved in the community, living with dignity and security. Please join us as we keep working to make our communities more secure. We urge you to participate, educate, advocate, and donate to organizations working to make a difference.

Community Action's leadership is essential to community service agencies, churches, businesses, civic groups and local governments in Washington County. We are one of 18 Community Action agencies in Oregon (1,000 nation-wide) started after passage of the U.S. Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

Leadership Team

Jerralynn Ness, Executive Director
Roger W. Barnes, Director of Human Resources
Renee Bruce, Director of Family & Community Resources
Catherine Crooker, Director of Advancement
Betty Lou Morrow, Director of Finance & Operations
Farzana Siddiqui, Director of Child Development

Board of Directors

Chair: Tom Hughes, Metro Council President
Vice Chair: Ron Sarazin, Olympic Performance, Inc.
Treasurer: Scott Gardner, PGE
Secretary: Dana Galaxy, Community Representative
At-Large: Richard M. Odell, Kaiser Permanente
At-Large: Leslea S. Smith, Oregon Law Center

Kevin Aguirre, Oregon Department of Human Services
Lynn Baker, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, for Centro Cultural
Ann E. Barr-Gillespie, Pacific University
Councilor Joelle Davis, City of Tualatin
Representative Margaret Doherty, District 35, State of Oregon
Mayor Denny Doyle, City of Beaverton
Nancy M. Ford, NW Regional ESD
Leonor Garcia, Head Start Policy Council
Leda Garside, Tuality Healthcare
Yesenia Rojas, Community Representative
Maria Pena, Community Representative
Commissioner Dick Schouten, Washington County
Mayor Jerry Willey, City of Hillsboro