Community Action Month

2026 Shine the Light Honorees

Shine the Light is NYSCAA’s Community Action Month campaign celebrating the staff whose dedication, skill, compassion, and lived experience strengthen communities across New York State.

Meet the Honorees View 2025 Honorees

2026 Campaign Complete

All five 2026 honorees have been announced: Michael Dougherty, Joanna Seaman, Ruth Bagley, Kevin Burns, and Sally Servello.

2026 Honorees

Meet the 2026 Shine the Light Winners

NYSCAA is proud to recognize five staff members from across New York State whose stories reflect the heart, skill, and dedication of Community Action.

Michael Dougherty

UCCAC

Weatherization Program Director

Returned to Weatherization and built his path from crew member to Program Director.

Weatherization • Hope

Joanna Seaman

Tioga Opportunities, Inc.

Greeter

Helps people feel welcomed, seen, and valued from the moment they walk in.

Welcome • Connection

Ruth Bagley

CAPCO

Family Advocate

Her connection to Community Action began in childhood and continues through service.

Head Start • Paying It Forward

Kevin Burns

Tioga Opportunities, Inc.

Social Care Navigator

His path to human services was shaped by lived experience and service.

Lived Experience • Service

Sally Servello

MVCAA

2026 Honoree

Her story reflects hope, belonging, family, resilience, and purpose.

Purpose • Belonging

2026 Story Collection

Full 2026 Stories Coming Soon

NYSCAA will share the full Shine the Light story collection so the Network can read and celebrate each honoree’s full submission.

Why Shine the Light Matters

A spotlight on the people who make Community Action possible

Shine the Light gives NYSCAA a way to pause during Community Action Month and recognize the people whose work often happens quietly, consistently, and with deep impact in communities across New York State.

Elevates Voices

CAA staff have a platform to share the personal stories behind their work.

Honors Commitment

The campaign recognizes the dedication, compassion, and persistence of Community Action staff.

Builds Connection

Sharing stories across agencies strengthens pride and connection across the Network.

How Shine the Light Works

Share a story. Recognize a colleague.

The campaign is designed to make it easy for Community Action staff to share stories that show the people and purpose behind the work.

1. Submit a Story → CAA staff submit a short personal story about their work, journey, or impact.

2. NYSCAA Reviews → Selected stories are prepared for campaign promotion.

3. Share the Spotlight → Honorees are featured through NYSCAA’s website, social media, and communications.

Past Honorees

2025 Shine the Light Honorees

NYSCAA was proud to recognize the following Community Action staff as 2025 Shine the Light honorees.

Laurel Polttila

JCEO

Bridget Dolbear

OCO

Bre Jackowski

OCO

Theresa Radley

CAPCO

Karima Wines

MVCAA

2025 Archive

Read All 2025 Submissions

Thank you to all 2025 submitters. Your stories help show the heart, strength, and impact of Community Action across New York State.

Read Submissions

2026 Honorees Announced

Thank you for helping NYSCAA shine the light on Community Action staff across New York State

NYSCAA is proud to celebrate this year’s honorees and the many Community Action staff whose stories show the purpose and impact of this work every day.