Community Progress Council hosts inaugural Self-Sufficiency Celebration and 60th Anniversary Event

Community Progress Council hosts inaugural Self-Sufficiency

Celebration and 60th Anniversary Event

York, Pennsylvania – September 26, 2025

Community Progress Council (CPC) hosted its first-ever Self-Sufficiency Celebration at the Yorktowne Hotel on

September 25, commemorating 60 years of empowering York County residents toward economic stability.

Presented by The Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation, the event honored coaching participants who have made

remarkable strides on their journey out of poverty — and the community that supports them.

The evening welcomed elected officials, community leaders, Community Progress Council team members, and

families to reflect on CPC’s legacy and celebrate the transformative power of relationship-based coaching. Board

Chair Joe Iandolo opened the program by acknowledging CPC’s founding in 1964 as part of President Johnson’s

War on Poverty and its evolution into one of nearly 1,000 community action agencies nationwide.

“We work to create long-term economic stability for people across York County,” said Iandolo. “Progress toward

economic self-sufficiency requires comprehensive, integrated services.”

Honoring Progress and Self-Sufficiency

The event recognized two groups of honorees: Progress Honorees, who have made significant steps toward

stability, and Self-Sufficiency Honorees, who have achieved long-term economic independence.

Progress Honorees included Anayancy Gutierrez, AJhona KiaJalay Jones, Brittany Pabis, Jennifer Giboyeaux, and

Juan G-Sanchez. Their accomplishments ranged from launching businesses and securing housing to advancing

education and financial literacy.

Self-Sufficiency Honorees Fayona Thompson, Christine Smith, and Lunda Gilles shared powerful personal stories ofovercoming barriers and building sustainable futures.

“I came to CPC broken… Now, I can boldly say to anyone: I am proof that if you stick with it and have incredible

support… you can make your dreams a reality,” said Christine.

A Call to Action

Community Progress Council President & CEO Robin Rohrbaugh closed the evening with a call for continued

public-private partnerships to expand CPC’s impact.

“Tonight we celebrate stories of individual success, and the greater impact for a more prosperous community as a

whole,” she said.

Rohrbaugh shared that CPC’s Self-Sufficiency Honorees have collectively increased their income by more than

$72,000 — an investment back into the local economy. With nearly 100 people currently on a waiting list for

coaching, CPC emphasized the need for increased philanthropic support to meet growing demand.

“Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and create a stronger York County,” said Rohrbaugh.

See more photos from the event on Community Progress Council’s Facebook page, and follow along as we share

more videos from the event and from honorees.

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About Community Progress Council

Founded in 1965, Community Progress Council is York County’s nonprofit community action agency, whose

mission is to empower individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency and advocate for change to

promote community growth. Celebrating 60 years in 2025, Community Progress Council goes beyond emergency

stopgaps to provide comprehensive, integrated services for low- and moderate-income people of all ages.

Connected by client-centered coaching, programs include early childhood education through Head Start, Early

Head Start and Pre-K Counts; housing and financial education; nutrition support and education via the Women,

Infants and Children (WIC) program; York City Community of Hope at Hannah Penn K-8; and the agency’s Self-

Sufficiency Program that helps residents of York County reach financial stability. Learn more at www.YorkCPC.org.