Official name

West Virginia Community Action Partnership

Name and biography of our Executive Director

Mary L. Chipps is the Executive Director of WVCAP and has managed the day-to-day operation of the corporation since 2006. She has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from West Virginia University. Prior to becoming employed by WVCAP, she served as the Executive Director of a multi-county Community Action Agency for three years and a program manager for the same agency for seven years. She has been trained in the Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System and became a Certified ROMA trainer in 2009. In 2012, she became a Certified Community Action Professional and a Standards of Excellence Peer Reviewer through the Community Action Partnership.

Mary serves as the voice for the local Community Action Agencies and low-income individuals and families on a statewide basis. She is the primary source of information for the Community Action Agencies concerning national and state policy. She recommends policy and programs that are necessary to effectively conduct anti-poverty efforts statewide and as such serves as an advocate for low-income individuals, families and communities. She works closely with the WVCAP lobbyist to promote legislation that supports the efforts of local Community Action Agencies, while protecting the interests of low-come individuals and families.

Mary also works in partnership with the WV Community Advancement and Development Office to identify training needs and coordinate training opportunities for the Community Action Agencies. She facilitates bi-monthly meetings that allow Community Action Agency leaders the platform for sharing resources and ideas.

Boiler plate description about WVCAP

WVCAP is an association of 16 Community Action Agencies committed to living and fulfilling the Promise of Community Action:

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