Maui Economic Opportunity’s new board includes (from left): Adele Rugg, Ned Davis, Peter Horovitz and Arlene Gerbig (standing in for Cliff Alakai).  

WAILUKU – Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) is a Community Action Agency (CAA), one of more than 1,000 throughout the nation.

These agencies equip low-income citizens with the tools and potential for becoming self-sufficient.

The structure of the program is unique; federal dollars are used locally to offer specialized programming in communities. Federal dollars help leverage state and county funds.

According to MEO, it is a coordinated effort to address the root effects of poverty and to, ultimately, move families and individuals to self-sufficiency.

CAAs are required to have a tripartite board consisting of equal parts of local private sector, public sector and low-income community representatives. This structure brings together community leaders from each of these groups to collaborate on developing responses to local needs.

This allows for maximum feasible participation in both the creation and administration of community action programs.

MEO’s board members were installed by County Council Chair Mike White at the MEO Family Center on Friday, June 23. They are: President Ned Davis, government sector, representing Sen. Roz Baker; Vice President Peter Horovitz, private sector, representing the Maui County Bar Association; Secretary Adele Rugg, resident sector, representing the South Maui Seniors; and Treasurer Cliff Alakai, government sector, representing Rep. Joe Souki.

In the last fiscal year, MEO assisted more than 18,000 individuals and families, touching more than 55,000 lives.