Who We Are

About Us

Since 1965, Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA) has worked alongside individuals and families across Central Virginia to reduce poverty and expand opportunity. Founded in response to the War on Poverty, MACAA was built on a simple but powerful belief: local communities are best positioned to create meaningful solutions to local challenges.

As a community-driven nonprofit organization, we partner with children, teens, and adults to remove barriers and build pathways toward long-term stability. Through essential services, education, advocacy, and direct support, we help individuals strengthen their independence, improve their well-being, and move toward economic security. For nearly 60 years, MACAA has remained rooted in partnership, dignity, and the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive.

MACAA proudly serves the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Nelson, and Louisa.

Our Mission

We empower people to navigate pathways to social and economic stability and opportunity by educating, inspiring, and advocating for those in need.

Core Programs

MACAA offers a range of locally designed programs that support individuals and families at every stage of life:

Early Learning Center at Hickory Hope

Located within the Hickory Hope affordable housing complex, this bilingual Montessori program increases access to high-quality, affordable care and learning for Southwood families.

 

Emergency Assistance

Provides short-term support for utility payments (electric, water/sewer, and gas) for residents of Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson counties, along with referrals to regional resources.

 

Fluvanna Food Pantry

Offers monthly no-cost food distribution — including fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and pantry staples — to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

 

Fluvanna Thrift Store

Sells affordable, gently used clothing, household goods, and accessories. Proceeds support MACAA’s anti-poverty work.

 

Hope House

Provides transitional housing and intensive case management for families facing homelessness, helping residents stabilize housing, strengthen financial skills, and work toward employment goals.

 

Nelson After School

Offers safe, enriching after-school care and activities for elementary students at Rockfish and Tye River Elementary Schools.

 

Project Discovery

Supports career readiness for first-generation and low- to moderate-income high school students with college applications, financial aid navigation, career planning, and professional development.

 
 

Part of a National Movement

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) operate in nearly every county and city across the United States, working to reduce poverty through locally designed and delivered programs tailored to each community’s unique needs. MACAA is one of 28 local agencies in the Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP) network. Community Action is rooted in shared governance and community voice. Each CAA is guided by a tripartite Board of Directors that includes representatives of the low-income community, local elected officials, and private and public sector stakeholders. This structure ensures that those most impacted by poverty help shape the solutions.

MACAA receives federal funding and authority through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which supports locally responsive strategies that strengthen families, build community capacity, and create measurable change.

Our Team

MACAA’s work is powered by dedicated professionals who are deeply committed to strengthening our community. Our team brings together expertise in human services, education, housing stability, food access, workforce development, and nonprofit leadership—united by a shared belief in the dignity and potential of every individual we serve. Behind every MACAA program are people who care deeply about this region. Many of our staff live and work in the same communities we serve and bring cultural knowledge, lived experience, and strong local relationships to their roles.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and how you can be part of MACAA’s work in our community.

 

Bertha Armstrong
Thrift Store Manager

Suzanne Bowers
Executive Director

Alexis Bragg
Case Manager

Taneia Dowell
Project Discovery Director

 

Lauren Egan
Director of Community Services

Nancy Kidd
Hope House Director

Linda Kyle
Case Manager

Phillip Love
Director of Finance

 

Wanda Johnson
Food Pantry Manager

Austyn Monday
Director of People (HR)

Jean Peters
Director of Educational Programming

 
 

Our Board

MACAA is guided by a committed Board of Directors that ensures our work remains community-driven, accountable, and responsive to local needs. Our Board provides oversight of agency policy, financial stewardship, strategic planning, and executive leadership. Board members bring diverse professional expertise and lived experience, strengthening MACAA’s ability to respond thoughtfully and effectively to the complex challenges facing our region. As a Community Action Agency, we operate under a tripartite governance model, meaning our Board is intentionally structured to reflect three essential voices:

  • Individuals who represent and reflect the low-income community

  • Local elected officials (or their representatives)

  • Private and public sector community stakeholders

Interested in serving on the Board or learning more about our governance model? Contact us to explore current opportunities for community leadership.

 

Johnette Burdette
Vice President
Constituent Representative

Ann Mische
Board Member
Nelson County Representative

Angela Critics
Secretary
Louisa County Representative

Sarah Shalf, JD
President
City of Charlottesville Representative

Tiera E. Farley
Board Member
Community Representative

Price Thomas
Board Member
Constituent Representative

Whitney Johnson Taliaferro
Treasurer
Community Representative