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Elbow Lake agency recipient of state advocacy grant
Published 10:11am Thursday, October 5, 2006The Steve Chadwick Advocacy Award was presented to Stephen Nagle, Executive Director of West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Inc.
Nagle has worked in Minnesota Communities Action for 32 years, the last seven of which have been with the West Central MCA.
“Steve is an awesome, awesome addition to the program here,” Emergency Services Director Kate Ouverson said. “His commitment to serving people all throughout the west central area is incredible. He’s been an instrumental force for our becoming the agency that manages a statewide collaborative in community action for the Red Lake and Leach Lake tribes, WomenVenture, and the Greater Twin Cities United Way and others. This collaboration is recognized nationally as the only one of its kind.”
The award was created in honor and memory of Steve Chadwick, former Executive Director of the Duluth Community Action Program. He was also an active advocate of the Minnesota Community Action Association (MCAA) and of low-income individuals and families state-wide.
Chadwick died of cancer in December 1995. This award, based on his beliefs, is for an individual who is currently involved in a Community Action Agency either as a staff person, director or volunteer including board members.
The following was written by Chadwick in 1993:
“I am someone that wants to live his life in a way that is consistent with his beliefs. Because I see inequity, injustice and both individual and environmental degradation as parts of our daily existence, I want to see my life focused on building a community that values all people in their diversity, gives all who are able the opportunity for meaningful work that is adequately compensated, and an economy that is sustaining and renewing of the environment.”
The person receiving this prestigious award was chosen for his or her demonstrating the same qualities as Steve Chadwick:
* A persistent commitment to reducing poverty
* An effective advocate in addressing the root causes of poverty
* A leader in the local or larger community
* Is connected to a Community Action Agency as a member of the board, staff, or program participant
Receiving 25-year honoree awards from the Minnesota Community Action Partnership were board member Joyce Pesch and Marilyn Leraas, Head Start supervisor, West Central MN Communities Action, Inc.
Joyce has served West Central Minnesota Communities Action, both as a staff person and as a board member.
Marilyn Leraas has worked in the Head Start program for 25 years. She began as a home visitor and now is a Head Start supervisor and is responsible for the Head Start classrooms in Kensington, the partnership with Morris Area Child Care Center in Morris, Wheaton and Browns Valley.
