About Us
In 1982, PACE was incorporated as a private non-profit Community Action Agency in response to essential services needed in the Greater New Bedford Area.
Today, PACE operates more than 11 programs and employs over 150 staff members. PACE manages a budget of over 81 million dollars which comes from a variety of sources including city, state, federal, and private foundations, and individual donors.
It is the mission of PACE to deliver innovative and effective services and programs to members of the Greater New Bedford Community in their pursuit of brighter futures.
Our nonprofit organization helps those who earn a low income or live in poverty to maneuver the obstacles of poverty which can include substandard housing, hunger, homelessness, inadequate childcare, and access to healthcare. PACE does this by providing programs that address these obstacles such as early childhood education (HEAD START), assistance with finding affordable health insurance (HEALTH ACCESS) rent and mortgage assistance (HOUSING CENTER) as well as our Community Food Center.
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY ACTION!
In 1964, President L.B. Johnson officially declared a “War on Poverty” and appointed Sargent Shriver to lead a Poverty Task Force that would ultimately shape the Community Action movement. Mr. Shriver presented a “poverty proposal” to Congress that led to the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
President Johnson didn’t stop there; he also created the Office of Economic Opportunity; specifically designed to create and implement programs that would provide services to engage the “poor” and help move low-income Americans toward self-sufficiency. Community Action Programs were formed across the country, and programs such as Head Start and Job Corps were implemented. By 1966, there were more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies spread out across the country.
Since 1982, PACE has offered services and programs that create better futures for families and individuals in our community. WE ARE COMMUNITY ACTION
Call PACE at 508-999-9920 to learn more.
Snapshot
Our Administration Team
Executive Director
Pam Keuchler
Director of Human Resources
Lorraine Khazan
Director of Finance
Allen Ayers
Director of Development/Marketing
Kathleen Golden
Director of Community Impact
Genesis Galan
Board of Directors (2024-25)
President
Cheryl Cabral
Vice-President
Maureen Curran
Treasurer
Roselia Gomez
Clerk
Monica Furtado
Esperanza Alejandro-Berube
Zackery Boyer
Rev. Russell Chamberlain
Leo Choquette
Nancy Feeney
Ken Resendes
Guelmie Santiago
Cheri Santos
Lisa White
PACE Board Elections will be held in Spring 2025.
Voters must be:
- at least 18 years of age
- a resident of New Bedford
- income must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty level: Household Income Chart
- does not need to be a US citizen
Board Meeting Schedule
October 10, 2023
November 14, 2023
December 2023 (No meeting, Holiday Recess)
January 09, 2024
February 13, 2024
March 12, 2024
April 09, 2024
May 14, 2024
June 11, 2024
July 2024 (No meeting, Summer Recess)
August 2024 (No meeting, Summer Recess)
September 10, 2024
October 08, 2024
November 12, 2024
December 2024 (No meeting, Holiday Recess)
All meetings accessible via Zoom, posted here in advance of the meeting, If issues accessing the meeting, please call 508-999-9920 or e-mail kgolden@paceinfo.org
Mission & History
PACE was incorporated as a private non-profit Community Action Agency in 1982. The organization aims to mobilize and utilize public and private resources to improve 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 community meetings held to form a new agency. This new Board of Directors elected its first President, Kenneth N. DeSilva, who served for the maximum period allowed under the Board's 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 for responding to 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 increasing 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.