P.A.C.E. seeking candidates for election to Board of Directors

PACE is seeking candidates to serve on the Organization’s Board of Directors. Low-income members of the community will vote to select Candidates in an election process during the month of March. Candidates must be residents of New Bedford, be at least 18 years old and submit a candidate profile before March 6, 2019. The election of candidates to the PACE Board will be held for four weeks, from March 11th to April 5th, as PACE Clients and other city residents who meet income guidelines will vote at the Main Office of PACE at 166 William Street during regular business hours, 9-5. Individuals may request a ballot any time during regular business hours during this time. Verification of income is required for voters who are not clients of a PACE Program. Low-Income Representatives to the PACE Board are eligible for a $25 stipend for each meeting attended to defray transportation and child care costs.

Candidate Profile forms can be obtained at the Main Office of PACE, at 166 William Street during regular business hours. Proof of residency of New Bedford is required. Completed Candidate Profiles must be received by the PACE Election Committee, located at 166 William Street, New Bedford by 4 PM on March 6th, 2019. All qualified candidates for election will be placed on the ballot. Candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to serve on the PACE Board.

People Acting In Community Endeavors (PACE) Inc, The Community Action Agency for the Greater New Bedford Area, is entering its 37th year of service to the community. PACE primarily serves the city of New Bedford, and towns of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

PACE, as it is known today, was incorporated on May 2, 1982, as a private “Not For Profit” Organization. The community selected the Board of Directors, with the goal of establishing an organization that would advocate for low-income people and aggressively seek funding to reduce the impacts of poverty in New Bedford. The Board oversees the work of the Agency and charts its course for the future.

PACE offers FREE services to the community through its Programs including;

• Housing Services, for housing search and rental assistance
• Fuel Assistance for financial assistance associated with home energy costs
• Food Bank for emergency and supplemental food
• Head Start for early childhood education
• Child Care Works for educational development and Child Care Service
• The Family Center for parent and family support services
• Youth Build for “at risk youth” focusing on educational and community service
• Health Access for assistance navigating health insurance coverage options
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
• The Clemente Course in the Humanities
• Grassroots support for other community organizations
• PACE Community Housing Corp., which was created for smaller housing development projects and homeownership opportunities for low-income people

PACE employs a staff of over 150 in addition to over 100 volunteers, and serves more than 40,000 clients who seek PACE services yearly with an annual budget in excess of $65 Million!

According to Pam Kuechler, PACE Executive Director: “Board members with direct contact with the people we serve, or who receive PACE services themselves are valuable in providing direction and feedback about the services we provide in the community. The election process allows our clients and community members to elect their own representatives to the Board. PACE Board Members serve their community and the Agency with pride and distinction with a real commitment to clients who trust us to help them find solutions.. We are very proud of our Board of Directors”.

Elections will be held from March 11th to April 5th at the PACE Main Office at 166 William Street, New Bedford during regular business hours.