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Selfless Leadership Award
AppCAA's Executive Director, Lisa Barton, received the Selfless Leadership Award from VACAP. This award was established by VACAP in 2013 to honor the memory of Mark Grigsby, long-time Director of the Office of Community Services at the Virginia Department of Social Services, who embodied selfless leadership by serving people and communities most in need in Virginia for most of his career. The Grigsby Award is the only award that VACAP presents each year. It is considered a Lifetime Achievement Award, but the words “selfless leadership” in the title have real meaning. Selfless leaders empower their people, share the credit, initiate the conversation, and most importantly, create the culture.
VACAP Regional Meeting
AppCAA staff attended the Virginia Community Action Partnership regional meeting in Wytheville on May 13th, 2025. VACAP is the statewide membership association for Virginia's thirty-one non-profit private and public community action agencies.
SCOTT COUNTY TRIAD
AppCAA staff were honored to welcome the VA Attorney General, Jason Miyares, to AppCAA on Monday, February 3rd. During his visit, we signed a new rechartering of our Scott County Triad chapter, strengthening our partnership with the Attorney General’s office. The Triad Agreement brings together law enforcement, senior citizens, and community organizations to focus on reducing crimes against our most vulnerable citizens, our seniors. Attorney General Miyares was quoted as saying, “I am honored to support the rechartering of the Scott County TRIAD chapter today! As your Attorney General, I’m fully committed to ensuring older Virginians remain safe, informed, and empowered.” We're grateful for the Attorney General's support and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to make a positive impact on our community!
CONGRATULATIONS, AMY!!
Congratulations to our Agency Planner, Amy Bowen, on earning her Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Management degree from Western Governors University. We are so proud of all of her accomplishments!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 1ST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNMENT WINNER: TUCK MAPPING SOULTIONS, INC.
Team Members: Michael Prewitt, Dylan McAfee, Wayne Jordan, and Israel McAfee pictured with Executive Director, Lisa Barton
Board Members and Staff at the Golf Tournament
Pictured from left to right: Jan Brewer- Board Member, Crystal Lyke-Board Member, Abe Rutherford- Board President, Hannah Hayden, Raymond Edens, Renetta Robinette, Lisa Barton, Amanda Dockery, Karen Davidson, Amy Bowen, Lynne Lane, Denise Lambert, Lisa Cheek, and Darlene Baker.
THANK YOU!
We would like to thank all of our sponsors, but especially our Platinum Sponsor: Virginia Housing. Our Gold Sponsor: LG&E and Kentucky Utilities - Old Dominion Power Foundation. Our Bronze Sponsor: New Peoples Bank. Our Silver Sponsors: Trustpoint Insurance, Powell Valley National Bank and Anthem HealthKeepers. Team Sponsors: McElroy Services, Movement Mortgage, Tuck Mapping Solutions, Inc. and Benny Wampler. Our Hole in One Sponsor: Freedom Chevrolet of Big Stone Gap. Our Hole Sponsors: Broadwater Trading, Duffield Lumber & Hardware, Energy Right, Hwy 72 Auto Repair, Mountain View Market, Otis Rhoton, Scott County Sheriff's Office, Scott County Telephone Cooperative, Scott County Treasurer Kevin Helms, Sesco Management Consultants, Thompson and Litton, and Tony Lawson. Thank you to everyone that helped make this tournament a success.
cONGRATULATIONS, LISA!!
AppCAA is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Lisa Barton, has received the prestigious FAHE Leadership Award for 2024. This esteemed recognition acknowledges Lisa's exceptional leadership, dedication, and impactful contributions to our service area. The FAHE Leadership Award honors leaders who: make a powerful impact, leave a legacy through mission-driven work, achieve significant goals through visionary leadership, inspire progress and growth, invest personally in local communities, and provide inspiration as a role model to encourage others. FAHE brings people, organizations and resources together to build homes, communities, and a thriving Appalachia through expanding economic opportunity and security for all. Working with a network of 50+ nonprofits across six states, using their expertise in finance, collaboration, innovation, and advocacy to achieve a more prosperous Appalachian region. Under Lisa's guidance, AppCAA continues to thrive, advancing our vision for a stronger, more resilient Appalachian region.
Thank you Anthem Healthkeepers Plus for the $25,000 donation!
Click Here To read the article
Thank you Mr. Kilgore!
A big thank you to Delegate Terry Kilgore for taking the time to meet with AppCAA on January 24th. Your continued support has helped AppCAA thrive for the last 60 years!
Selfless Leadership Award
The Virginia Community Action Partnership awards the Mark Grigsby Selfless Leadership Award each May, which is community action month. All community action staff in Virginia were recognized for their selfless service as pandemic first responders by the VACAP Board of Directors. This is the highest honor and award given annually by VACAP.
Slemp Foundation
The Slemp Foundation awarded AppCAA $25,000 to help support the Whole Family and Diaper Distribution programs.
Previous Board Officers
AppCAA would like to extend a big heartfelt "THANK YOU" to our exiting Board of Director officers who have contributed to the success of AppCAA during their years of service. From left to right: Mary Absher, Wandaleen Adams, Doris Presley, and Jeff Shupe.
New Board Officers
AppCAA's Board of Directors met Monday, July 10th at our main office where new Board Officers were appointed. AppCAA would like to welcome these new officers and thank them for their commitment to helping AppCAA succeed. From left to right: Zach Bowen, Treasurer; Abe Rutherford, President; Jennifer Frazier, Vice President; Kelly Bledsoe, Secretary.
Welcome Aboard!
AppCAA's Board of Directors elected Stacy Salyers as a member at large. He is a representative from the City of Norton.

Our mission

To be a partner of choice, responding to our region’s challenges and helping communities of Southwest Virginia on their path to self-sufficiency.

About Us

60 Years of Community Action in the Heart of Appalachia

For 60 years, Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency (AppCAA) has served the residents of Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties and the City of Norton with programs that help low-to-moderate-income individuals and families at every stage of life. With programs for housing, finance, health, children and seniors, you’re sure to find the help you need completely FREE for all income-eligible households!

Our team

Programs

AppCAA Programs

Financial Coaching & Empowerment

First Time Homebuyers Loan Down Payment Assistance, Savings Match, and SPARC Program

Housing Counseling Program (Including Pre-Purchase Counseling with Credit Improvement Assistance)

Tax Preparation

Weatherization Assistance Program

Emergency Services — Utility Payments

Neighbor to Neighbor

Indoor Plumbing & Rehabilitation

CHORE Program

Retired Seniors Volunteer Program

Whole Family Approach

Diaper Distribution Pilot Project

Imagination Library

Scott County Christmas Cart

Scott County Hygiene Voucher Program

New Eyes For The Needy

 

 

If you have received services from our agency within the past 60 days, please click here to take a survey and let us know how well we met your needs. 

 

Take action

Get Involved with AppCAA

We are always looking for volunteers to get involved with our vast array of programs. We offer numerous opportunities to contribute to our community.

In addition, our agency is always accepting donations to further our mission and assist our community members. Any contributions are greatly appreciated!

Our story

This website is supported by Grant Number 2501VACOSR from the [ACF OCS CSBG] within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the [ACF OCS CSBG].