The following is a Press Release from the Monticello Area Community Action Agency

Charlottesville, VA - The President of MACAA's Board of Directors, Robert Smith announced today that Phillip E. Dukes is no longer employed as the agency's Executive Director. Smith said that "MACAA needs to move in a different direction and that will require new leadership." The agency's Chief Operating Officer, Gary Nickelsen has been appointed Interim Executive Director. Nickelsen has worked for MACAA for 19 years.

Phillip Dukes has been MACAA's Executive Director since January 2006. Smith said that "during this time the agency has filled several important positions and I am confident of the staff's ability to continue carrying out our mission." He added that "before hiring a new ED, the Board of Directors will spend time working with staff to develop a plan to move forward. We expect this to be a thoughtful, deliberate process."

MACAA's roots can be traced to a meeting on May 24, 1965 when 70 Charlottesville area civil rights activists gathered to discuss the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The meeting led to a unanimous vote to form the Charlottesville-Albemarle Community Action Organization (CACAO) whose purpose it would be to "attack poverty". Its name would later be changed to the Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA) as its programs spread into neighboring counties.

In 1965 MACAA launched its first program -- Head Start. Soon neighborhood centers were organized and job training, basic education, housing and day care programs were developed in response to identified local needs. The early years also saw tutorial and child development programs, housing assistance, adult night school, and a Neighborhood Youth Corps.

In 2006 MACAA served 2332 families in the City of Charlottesville, and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. MACAA's current programs address poverty through education, crisis intervention, family support and development, and collaboration with other social service organizations. Education programs begin with Head Start at age 3 and continue through Parents in Education and Project Discovery; crisis intervention services are handled by Rural Outreach and CARES. Jefferson Area CHIP works with low-income families with preschool children to improve family health and self-sufficiency. Family Support & Development helps families define and implement a plan to help them escape poverty and live more fulfilled lives. Hope House not only offers homeless families six months free housing but a variety of ways to address the roots of their homelessness and move forward. (electronic mail, February 1, 2007)