Community Action employees honored COLUMBUS - The Community Action commission of Fayette County was among seven organizations recognized at the Ohio CDC Association with a 2009 Member Award during the Association's 25th annual conference at the McKinley Grand Hotel in Canton.
Two CAC members were singled out for exceptional achievements.
"Our annual awards honor individuals and organizations that are helping to stabilize, restore and invigorate communities in Ohio," said Patricia Barnes, executive director of the Ohio CDC Association. "These award winners have made exemplary contributions over the past year in the field of community-based development."
Lucinda "Bambi" Bauhn, deputy director of CAC of Fayette County was named Staff Member of the Year.
Patty Griffiths, housing director, CAC of Fayette County and Housing Services Alliance was the Stephanie J. Bevans Award Winner, honoring strong community advocates who have demonstrated commitment and entrepreneurial spirit.
Lucinda "Bambi" Bauhn, Staff Member of the Year. Bauhn joined CAC of Fayette County in 1978 and has served as its deputy director since 1980. Her work addresses housing needs from emergency shelter to homeownership in Fayette County. She is point person for the County's Continuum of Care and serves as Board Secretary for the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio. She has successfully competed for federal and state grants and programs to create new housing for low-income residents.
Patty Griffiths, Stephanie Bevans Award. Griffiths began working at CAC of Fayette County in 1992 when she was hired to do pre-development activities for the Self-Help Housing Program. Back then, there only one Self-Help Housing Program in Ohio, and it was about to close.
"Patty had to overcome many obstacles during pre-development, but she persevered and obtained the operating grant for our project," said Lucinda "Bambi" Bauhn, housing coordinator of CAC of Fayette County, who nominated her. "Fortunately for everyone, she agreed to stay on as the Self-Help Housing Program Director. Since then, over 250 houses have been constructed through Self-Help. Besides operating one of only two programs in Ohio, Patty has expanded Community Action's Self-Help Housing program to include development of subdivisions, contractor built homes, solar panels and acquisition/resale of vacant properties."
In addition, Griffith was instrumental in the agency purchasing a for-profit building supply company in 2008. She also developed and operated a complicated homeownership program for low-income families, and has used many funding sources and innovative options to carry out the agency's housing mission. Griffiths is active in various housing-related organizations, including the Ohio Housing Council and the Housing Assistance Council. She is a Region 1 representative on the Steering Committee of the National Rural Self-Help Housing Association.
The award is named for Stephanie Bevans, a long-time OCDCA board member and an innovative director of micro-enterprise programs for Pike County Community Action and a tireless advocate for low-income entrepreneurs. She died in 2005.
