The Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties has served the Lincoln community by fighting poverty through different services for 45 years.

These services include education efforts, a basic needs service and child and family development.

An annual report was given and the board of directors, clients and sponsors of the program honored the work of all of the workers during the annual meeting on June 10.

According to the report, in the 2008-2009 year 15,217 clients were served, an increase from the 2007-2008 year where 12,219 clients were served.

Denia Tendai Mukusha, a former client and member of the board, said Community Action helped her when she first moved from Zimbabwe.

“At first I wasn’t sure if this would work,” she said, but was met with warmth and kindness.

After a positive experience with Community Action Partnership, Mukusha said she decided to serve on the board.

“This gave me a chance to represent families who have benefited from the program,” she said.

Mukusha expressed her gratitude to the program before introducing the president of the board.

“Thank you Community Action Planning for all you have done,” she said. “You change lives every day.”

Todd Hall, president of the board, said Community Action Partnership has a rich history.

“Someday we won’t be needed,” he said. “Hopefully that day is soon.”

The main goal of Community Action Partnership is to eliminate poverty, Hall said.

“In an effort to do that,” he said, “we wanted to reach out in the community.”

Hall has served on the board for four years and this is his second year as president.

“I have had a chance for the last two years to be your board president and it’s an honor,” he said.

Marj McKinty, a Community Action board member, detailed some of the history of the program, specifically some of the trends.

“The seeds (of the program) were planted very early,” she said, starting with the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act.

The cycle of poverty has changed for a new generation, McKinty said, but added that one thing has stayed the same during those 45 years the Action Community Planning has been active.

“We’ve always known the kindness of neighbors leading (others) to a silver lining,” she said.

During the meeting, a film was shown highlighting the programs’ photojournalism project, called “40 Nights: Surviving Poverty.”