About Us

Leadership

Renee Hungerford
Executive Director / CEO

In 2020, Renee Hungerford joined the Community Action of Orleans and Genesee team as the Executive Director/CEO/CIO. Renee, a native of Buffalo, New York has been a resident of Orleans County since the early nineties and has raised three daughters in that community. Renee is a musician and patron of the Batavia Concert band of Genesee County thus has strong ties and understanding of the communities served by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Renee holds a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems. She is committed to using data along with her training in population health and epidemiology to improve health outcomes in her community and to fix our broken healthcare system. Prior to her current role she was Director of Clinical Informatics, Quality, and Population Health at Oak Orchard Health. She also served in various leadership and analytics roles throughout a 30-year career in banking. Renee is a member of 11^th cohort of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Health Leadership Fellows. She is a graduate of the 12-month WOMEN Unlimited LEAD program for high potential women and is a proud alum of the Leadership Orleans class of 2021. She serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) and is a board member of the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS). Renee serves as Co-Chair of the Forward Leading Independent Practice Association Governing Board and a member of the VALOR Medical Reserve Corps. She is also a member of the Lyndonville Lion’s Club. Renee has always emphasized the importance of being “Part of the Solution.”

Tina joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in November 2023 as Director of Finance & Administration/CFO. Tina brings over 30 years of experience to the agency and a desire to help people and make a difference. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and holds certification as a Plan Sponsor Professional and SHRM-SCP. Tina is a lifelong resident of Orleans County, raised her family here and currently resides in Waterport with her husband, Scott.

Tina Schleede
Director of Finance & Administration / CFO

Ryan Lasal
Strategic Director of Children’s Services/ Special Projects

Ryan joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in May 2024 as the Strategic Director of Children’s Services & Special Projects. A lifelong resident of Orleans County, Ryan is a dedicated executive leader with a passion for helping his community thrive. With extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, and team collaboration, he excels in making positive changes through effective projects and initiatives. Ryan holds dual Master’s degrees in Strategic Leadership and Students with Disabilities from Roberts Wesleyan College. Now raising his family in the county, Ryan is committed to fostering community development and empowerment. He is excited to use his skills to support the mission of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and make a meaningful impact in his hometown.

Jackie joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in January 2022 as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Operations. During her career has she gained tremendous experience in change management and strategic leadership giving her a strong foundation to develop and lead highly productive and functioning teams. Jackie has been a lifelong resident of Orleans and raised her family here which led to her passion about giving back to the community and making a difference. Currently she serves on the GCASA Executive Board and is a member of the Orleans County United Way Board of Directors.

Jackie Dunham
Director of Operations / COO

Katrina Standish
Director of Community Services & Reporting

Katrina was born and raised in Orleans County. She began her journey at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in 2013 serving as the Lead Teacher at Kendall UPK. In 2015, she became the manager of the Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership and helped to build the program from the ground up. She holds a master’s degree in Literacy, certified in 6 different areas of education. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Science, majoring in Health Science and Psychology.

Pam Wadhams
Director of Head Start

Melinda Daniels, Executive Assistant started her career with Community Action of Orleans and Genesee Inc. in 2017. Melinda brings over 20 years of Administrative experience to the agency, and has always had passion to enhance people and our communities. With strong family roots here, Albion has always been home. Melinda currently resides in Albion with her husband.

Melinda Daniels
Executive Assistant

History of Community Action

1964
The Economic Opportunity Act
Started a national movement of agencies working to fight the “War on Poverty”. The emphasis on local change led to the name: Community Action.
1965
Forming Our Agency
The chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Orleans County appointed a committee to study ways in which Orleans County might become a part of this movement. An action committee was formed to study local needs for housing, migrant labor, and youth training, as well as problems facing older Americans. An agency was formed under the name Orleans Community Action Committee, Inc., or OCAC. In July 1965, anti-poverty programming began with: Head Start, Family Planning, Legal Aid, Neighborhood Youth Corp., and People’s Opportunity.
Late 1960s - 70s
Expanding Our Agency
Head Start and later CHAP (Children’s Health Assurance Program) were formed to teach children and help with good health practices, along came our satellite office in Holley, (Eastern Orleans Community Center) to assist with senior Citizens and preschoolers, CATS (Community Action Transportation System) to transport senior citizens, and CARES (Community Action Resource & Educational service) which was a mobile van travelling the County informing residents of the programs available under the newly formed Orleans Community Action Committee. Some programs were spun off and other programs and services were extended into Genesee County.
2007
Name Change
The Board of Directors decided to change the agency’s name to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee to unify the agency’s image and better reflect its service area. The new name became official in February 2008, and the Board adopted a new logo in the spring.
Today
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
We have grown to be an agency with an operating budget of over seven million dollars and employ over 120 people. We have added such programs and services as Emergency Services and Food Pantry, Weatherization, RESTORE, Child Care Resource and Referral, ACT – Helping Youth ACT Responsibly, Budgeting Workshops, Energy packaging, an alternate HEAP site, Tax Assistance, MSC Gifts, Thrifts and More, Early Head Start, and Community Action Angels.

We continue our work with a renewed focus on helping people to become self-sufficient. We continually analyze data and solicit community feedback to adjust our programs to meet the greatest needs, while working with partners to build a stronger community.

Testimonials

A Brighter Day

Dave and the Community Action team have been a true God send for me and my three children. After making an unexpected move to the Batavia area with my kids, I did not have an established place to live, had minimal resources to provide for my children during this transition and really did not know what I was going to do. When I met with Dave and his team they truly encompassed their name of community action. They established a hotel room for me and my children for almost 2 weeks, they provided food, clothing, and advocacy that extended to other areas of need I had. I went and assisted with the set up of an event that Community Action was sponsoring, and at this event I met other amazing advocates and expanded my network even further. With the help of Dave, his team, and other advocacy resources in the area, I am now in a new 3 bedroom apartment that is fully furnished, I have child care for my children when I am at work, my kids are enrolled in Batavia school district for next school year, I have clothes for my children, food for my children, and future advocacy and assistance I can rely on while I get fully established. The selflessness of Dave and the Community Action team goes beyond words and I am eternally grateful for everything they have done for my family. May God bless all of them as they continue to positively impact lives for years to come

Aaron

The Blue Sweater

Hello!

I am so excited and just honored that sharing my story of the blue sweater is really touching peoples hearts! I know in your line of work sometimes appreciation is not always shown as it could be.

It wasn’t until I was in my 30s, mature & responsible that I could really appreciate all that you guys had done for me. Community action in Albion and the community center in Holley helped me through more times than I can remember. From Christmas gifts for my children, security deposit’s for a place to stay, to food when needed and even gas for my car to get to work. Honestly community action gave me hope when I had none many times. So many answered prayers from this organization and the volunteers.

So yes you may absolutely share the story with whomever you’d like however you’d would like. Sometimes people do need a reminder that they’re doing a good job and that what they’re doing really does touch people more than what may be shown.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me. It really means a lot to me that this story is making an impact on those who made one on me.

Ashley

The blue sweater.

This isn’t just any blue sweater you see, it’s been passed down to all the girls for the last twelve years.

When my sweet Riley was about three years old I picked up this blue sweater from a local charity center that helped people in need. At the time I was not in a comfortable place in life and this establishment helped me quite often.
I remember thinking what a lucky find as I pulled the blue sweater out of a box of clothes left out for those in need. At the time I had no idea how truly valuable this blue sweater would end up to be.

Riley outgrew the blue sweater after about two years. The sweater was still in great condition, through all the play dates, spilled juice, trips and tumbles the blue sweater remained resilient. It was only right to pass the sweater down to the next lady in line my niece Haidynn. She too has many great many memories & pictures in the blue sweater.
A little over three years had passed when the blue sweater found its way in a bag of hand me downs from my niece back to my house for my younger girls Jaidynn & Jetta.

Jaidynn and Jetta each took their turns in the blue sweater over the next five years. Many pre school and kindergarten pictures of theirs they are wearing the loyal blue sweater. Many walks to the park, warming up at big sis’ cheer events, always the extra layer for the cubby at school on those chilly days. This blue sweater has become a priceless most valuable piece of time. A walking memory.

Now my sweet grandbaby has been presented the blue sweater.

To some, maybe most, they will not understand my connection to this blue sweater. For me however this blue sweater is so much more than a sweater. It represents tradition, value and most importantly growth. I look back now on the day I was rummaging through that box at that community center and I thank god, I thank the universe and all the powers you can’t see. Most importantly though I thank myself.

I never gave up just like the blue sweater.

Now I donate whenever I can im always trying to give back for all the times my prayers were answered. You really never know the impact something so little can leave on a person or even a whole family.

So to whomever donated the little blue sweater to the Holley community center twelve years ago, thank you. Thank you so much! ♥️

Ashley

Success!

Many of you may know me as the fiscal assistant here at Community Action. I have held this position since September of 2021; however, my affiliation with the organization began well before then. While I have lived in Albion since 2005, it was not until the autumn of 2019 that I discovered Community Action and the services offered here. At the time, I had no idea the impact this agency would have on my life.

Having grown up in foster care and possessing little more than a GED, I considered myself lucky to land a job in a banking call center when I was 22. As the years progressed, so did my knowledge; I ultimately went on to become a subject matter expert in the field of residential foreclosure. During the 5 years that followed the subprime housing crisis, I held a position as a single point of contact advocating for retail borrowers facing default. It was a good job by any standard and as it turned out, I was really good at it. Financial success came early for me; however, I was ill prepared for the ebb and flows of life; much less the mortgage lending industry. When the company I worked for eliminated my position and relocated out of state, I found myself a single mother without a job, college degree or backup plan. With my background in foreclosure I was able to find a new position processing HUD insurance claims, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills. Years of juggling disconnection notices and being unable to support my daughter eventually caught up with me, and I was left exhausted, hopeless and depressed. I wanted desperately to do something that made a difference, to matter; but I just couldn’t find the energy to forge a path forward. A family tragedy in January of 2019 was the catalyst for change that I needed, and just a few days later I enrolled full time at GCC. I was once again laid off from my job that following summer, but this time I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the NYS 599 Training Program, which allowed me to continue collecting unemployment benefits until I finished my degree. Finances were tight, but I was confident that with careful planning I could make it through… until once again, life happened. It was a $500 car repair that left me without the funds to pay my rent that brought me to Community Action’s door; and in retrospect; to the next chapter of my life.

I’ll admit that asking for help was both a humbling and daunting task; but despite my trepidation, I knew I had no other choice. My initial meeting with our case manager alleviated many of my fears. I found myself grateful for her compassion and lack of judgement, and I was comforted knowing that she too had returned to school during middle age to study social work. That feeling of kinship brought me back to Community Action in January of 2020 when it was time to complete the internship requirements of my degree. Thanks to a serendipitous twist of fate, I was offered a temporary position working the ESL Housing stability project when my internship was over, and I was grateful to be given the opportunity; hoping the experience would help build my resume. The transition to employee was an easy one and I found that the altruism and kindness I had experienced as an intern was extended equally amongst employees. For the first time in my professional career I felt that my voice was heard; that my presence mattered, and resulting contentment has had a ripple effect felt in all corners of my life. I knew I had found the place where I belong one day last summer when my little asked me if I was going to stay with Community Action. When I inquired as to why she had asked, she looked me and said “I don’t know, Mom. You just seem so happy.”

It’s been over a year since I was first offered that position, and since then I have been brought on full time as the A/P clerk and reporting assistant. In my new role I have been offered several opportunities to grow and expand on my talents, such as attending grant writing workshops, representing the agency at job fairs and in partnership with the United Way as a digital literacy mentor. In addition, I am currently training to become the agency social media and press communications contact. Some days I wake up and can’t believe people believe this much in me, and I’m more grateful for the chances I’m given than I can explain. Three years ago, I thought the days of going to a job I liked were behind me. Looking back , I suppose one could say that was true; because now when I wake up in the morning, I get to go to one that I love.

Spring Cleaning and a Fresh Start

Having the Spring Cleaning event at Community Action in Batavia last year has helped me tremendously. If I hadn’t gone, I would have never received half the services I have had in the past year. The information tables got me involved with my community more. I now attend school with the C.O.R.E program and have a peer at Genesee ACE Employment. I’m thankful that we have these services and the spring cleaning event that helps spread knowledge and helps others like myself and the community.

Constance

Mission Statement

To provide services, with dignity and respect, that help people become self-sufficient.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROMISE

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and have served low-income and disadvantaged families for nearly 60 years. Community Action programs are designed to empower as well as provide opportunity to those who are not yet self-sufficient.

About Us

Leadership

History of Community Action

1964

1965

Late 1960s - 70s

2007

Today