Vision Statement

Partnering in a thriving Community

Mission Statement

Stabilizing lives by providing supportive programs and access to community resources for individuals and families.

Some examples of assistance programs are:

  • Emergency food assistance
  • Infant & children’s nutrition assistance
  • Weatherization assistance

Agency Profile

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. (RKCAA) has successfully operated anti-poverty programming in Racine County since 1967 and in Kenosha County since 1978. The RKCAA Board of Directors is comprised of a three-part structure that includes representation from civic, low-income and government sectors of Racine and Kenosha Counties.

Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity

CEO Message

Thank you for visiting the RKCAA website. Please take this opportunity to find out more about the organization and the numerous services and resources we provide or are able to connect individuals and families to. Supporting individuals and families thrive, is at the core of RKCAA’s work. POSITIVE FAMILY DYNAMICS is a key foundational component needed to ensure family members residing in the same household or a single individual living alone, is able to develop a strong support system. To strengthen this effort, RKCAA’s PILLARS of Focus are: HOUSING, FOOD & NUTRITION, HEALTH and ASSET ATTAINMENT. It is our hope that you will utilize these services or share the information with others who may benefit. The services provided by RKCAA and the work we are engaged in is important and critical to the growth and well-being of the communities we serve.”

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. Executive Staff

  • CEO 
    Essie Allen

  • Chief Financial Officer 
    Laura Brown

  • Human Resources Director 
    Gary Cotton

  • Kenosha Director 
    Pam Halbach

  • Planning Coordinator
    Nicole Hunt
  • Community Services Manager
    Zeke Leo

  • Weatherization Director
    Vincent Montgomery

  • IT Administrator
    Shane Muellemann

Agency Reports

The Community Needs Assessment is conducted every three years to assist RKCAA in its mission to enable low-income individuals, in rural and urban areas, to attain the skills, knowledge and motivation to achieve self-sufficiency. The Community Assessment is a key component of the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) framework and is mandated by Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

The agency produces an Annual Report each year to highlight outcomes and display the work of RKCAA.

Annual Report 2022
Exec.Summary 2022 Needs Assessment
Community Needs Assessment Addendum
2022 Needs Assessment
Case for Support

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency Board of Directors

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. is governed by a tripartite Board, comprised of delegates from Racine and Kenosha Counties. These volunteers (public officials, civic group representatives, low-income representatives) represent various sectors of the community and set policy and provide oversight for the organization. A meeting of the Board of Directors is held on the fourth Thursday of each of the following months, unless the Board of Directors designate a different date: January, March, April, September, October, and November. The Annual Meeting occurs on the fourth Thursday of September.

Board Service

Public officials are appointed to the Board by the County Executives of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Low-income representatives are elected to serve through a democratic process undertaken by those they represent. Finally, civic group representation is determined by groups and interests of the community. Once the groups and interests to be represented have been selected by the Community Action Board, respective representatives are chosen by the groups and interests themselves. Members of the Board of Directors serve three-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Terms begin at the Annual Meeting in September and continue through the Annual Meeting in September, three years later. Board members must reside in the county they represent.

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency Board Members

Susan Spicer – Chairperson
Low-Income Representative (Racine County)

Stephanie Funk – Vice-Chairperson
Civic Group Representative (Kenosha County)

Roy Carter – Secretary 
Low-Income Representative (Racine County)

John Woodbury – Treasurer 
Civic Group Representative (Racine County)

Waleed Ahmad
Low-Income Representative (Racine County)

Steve Donovan
Civic Group Representative (Racine County)

Hilary D. Edwards
Low-Income Representative (Kenosha County)

Daniel Gaschke
Government-Appointed Representative (Kenosha County)

Maurice Horton
Government-Appointed Representative (Racine County)

Jessica Lee Malacara
Government-Appointed Representative (Racine County)

Rika M. Saliscente-Phipps
Civic Group Representative (Racine County)

Linda Serpe
Low-Income Representative (Kenosha County)

Kim Serpe-Stauber 
Government-Appointed Representative (Racine County)

Terra Wendricks-Lindberg
Low-Income Representative (Kenosha County)

Board of Directors of Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc.

The Board of Directors of Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. is scheduled to meet as follows during the 2024 calendar year:

  • Thursday, January 25, 2024
  • Thursday, March 28, 2024
  • Thursday, April 25, 2024
  • Thursday, September 26, 2024 (Annual Meeting)
  • Thursday, October 24, 2024
  • November 2024 – To Be Determined

Board meetings convene at 4:00 p.m.  For information regarding meeting location, please contact Allison at (262) 637-8377.

Financial Report

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. receives federal, state, local, and private funding. RKCAA’s Finance Department records all funds in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and funding source requirements. An independent Certified Public Accounting firm performs annual audits and funding sources perform required regular fiscal and program monitoring. During 2022, the agency managed twenty-seven programs totaling $9.74 million in Racine and Kenosha Counties.

2022 Financial Pie Chart