About Us
PACE was incorporated as a private non-profit Community Action Agency in 1982 in response to essential services that were needed in the Greater New Bedford Area. It’s focus was to promote self sufficiency for our residents and neighborhoods. A twenty-one member Board of Directors was established as a result of a number of meetings held in the community for the purpose of forming a new agency. Kenneth N. DeSilva served as the President of the Board for 10 years.
Today, PACE operates more than 10 programs and employs over 150 staff members. PACE manages a budget of of 72 million dollars which comes from a variety of sources including city, state, federal, private foundations and individual donors.
PACE is committed to ending poverty. We are dedicated to help those who are earning low income to have the services they need to have a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Our programs tackle some of the barriers that often come with earning a low income including early childhood education, food stability, housing and health insurance.
PACE programs include: Child Care Works, YouthBuild - New Bedford, Child Care Voucher Program, Head Start, Housing Opportunity Center, Fuel Assistance, Lead Program, Free Clemente College Course, Free Tax Preparation, Health Insurance Assistance (Health Access) and Food Bank.
Please contact us if you would like to volunteer, donate or learn more: help@pace.info
Snapshot
Mission & History
PACE was incorporated as a private non-profit Community Action Agency in 1982 to mobilize and utilize both public and private resources to affect the improvement of the economic and social quality of life for low income residents of the Greater New Bedford area. A twenty-one member Board of Directors was established as a result of a number of community meetings held for the purpose of forming a new agency. This new Board of Directors elected its first President, Kenneth N. DeSilva, who served for the maximum period allowed under the Boards’ bylaws of ten years.
The organization of limited funds and staff grew into an agency that managed a multi-million dollar budget within the first five years. This non-profit's focus was to promote self-help for people and neighborhoods in our community. PACE Inc. has developed a reputation of responding to the community needs, providing high quality programs for low income people, developing innovative strategies for empowering people and working cooperatively with both the non-profit and for profit communities.
PACE remains committed to increase awareness among low-income people, public officials, media and the general public regarding the causes and impact of poverty on the lives of low-income people.
PACE, Inc. delivers innovative and effective services to members of the Greater New Bedford Community in their pursuit of brighter futures.
Board of Directors
Acting President
Cheryl Cabral
Vice-President
Treasurer
Nancy Feeney
Clerk
Shelly Santos
Administration
Executive Director
Pam Kuechler
Assistant Executive Director
Joshua Amaral
Director of Human Resources
Lorraine Khazan
Finance Director
Allen Ayers
Director of Development and Marketing
Kathleen Golden
Director of Health Access Program & Public Relations
Ginny DeSilva