The nonprofit celebrated its 60th anniversary Wednesday, recognizing Carol’s contributions to the agency she once led by designating the administrative offices at 7880 Lincole Place, Lisbon as the Carol F. Bretz Center.

Inside the lobby, next to the interior door, is a framed document which includes an image of Carol with a look familiar to anyone who knew her and her CAACC story, which began in 1976 as an outreach worker and continued for 39 years until her retirement in 2015. She served the last 26 years as the executive director.

According to that story, under her tutelage, the agency grew from a budget of $3.5 million in 1989 to $18 million when she retired and grew from 85 employees to nearly 300. She oversaw 25 different grant-funded programs, including Head Start, Community Action Rural Transit System (CARTS), Home Energy Assistance Program, Health and Dental Centers and Home Weatherization Assistance Program.

CAACC Chief Executive Officer Thomas E. Andrews, who followed in her footsteps as head of the agency, called her the architect of what the agency does and the reason CAACC is so big now.

This framed document recognizes the vision and contributions of the late Carol E. Bretz, who worked for the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County for 39 years, with 26 years as executive director. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

“Carol’s love for nature, community, and advocacy was evident in everything she did. She inspired those around her to fight for what is right — not for recognition, but for the sake of CAACC’s mission. She believed that every contribution made by CAA employees had a real impact and that including the voices of those being served was essential to meaningful change,” the story said.

Andrews said Carol “was passionate about bringing things to Columbiana County.”

She thought the community should have public transit and CARTS was born. She worked to establish the Federally Qualified Health Center, applying for $700,000 in funding. She helped expand community services.

Besides the dedication, the event held on the circle included the reading of several proclamations honoring the 60th anniversary from the county commissioners, Gov. Mike DeWine, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, and U.S. Rep. Mike Rulli, by Commissioner Tim Ginter and representatives of the governor, congressman and two senators. Those representatives included: Latisha Chastang, Deputy Chief, Office of CommunityAssistance, there for the governor; for Rulli, Field Representative Jacob Coman; for Husted, Northeast Ohio District Director Mary Kay Hastings; and for Moreno, Northeast Ohio Regional Director Max Kovacs. All offered congratulations to Andrews and the staff, praising what the agency means to area residents.

“This 60th anniversary not only honors the agency’s rich legacy, but also celebrates the lives transformed, the communities strengthened, and the partnerships built through its work. The dedication of CAACC’s staff, leadership, and volunteers continues to inspire meaningful progress and lasting opportunities for those in need across the county,” Ginter read from the commissioners’ proclamation.

Tours of the buildings and vehicles , such as CARTS and Head Start buses, a weatherization truck and the mobile unit for the Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers were offered, along with plenty of food, brochures and copies of the newly-released 2024 CAACC Annual Report. There were also tours of the newly-opened pharmacy for health, behavioral health and dental center patients.

Service awards were given to several of the volunteer board members present, including Roger Bacon, Patricia Baumgarner, James Ford, Jamie Nentwick, Arlene Williams, Raymond (Sunny) Hall, Rachel Ketterman, Brian Zaverl and Tracey Wonner, along with former longtime board member Eileen Dray-Bardon.

To learn more about CAACC, visit caaofcc.org.