Access Community Action Agency recently thanked Connecticut State Representative Gregory S. Haddad, a long-term member of their Board of
Directors, for his 9 years of continuous service. Haddad joined the Access Board in 2014 and is leaving due to the Board’s term limit policy.
Representative Haddad has made considerable contributions to the Board through his understanding of advocacy and the legislative process.
Haddad also served as the Board Chair of Access from 2017-2021. Access also recently added a new member to its Board of Directors.
Recommended by Haddad, Carlita RB Cotton, Ph.D., has joined the Access Board of Directors bringing expertise in Behavioral Healthcare, Veterans
Advocacy, Disability Advocacy, and Education. Cotton is currently the Mansfield Town Councilor, a member and delegate of the Mansfield
Democratic Town Committee, and served as Vice Chair of the Mansfield Zoning & Planning Commissioner and the Mansfield Inland Wetlands
Commission from 2018-2022. When asked why she would like to become a member of the Access Board of Directors she said, “My experiences as a
veteran, town councilor and educator have given me direct insight into the housing, employment, healthcare, and psychosocial needs of those
living in poverty. I have spent years counseling, mentoring, advocating for educating vulnerable, struggling, protected classes, these experiences
have prepared me to be able to think critically and panoramically, and work collaboratively, on team, to meet Access’ stated goals of equitable
access to food, employment, and other much-needed services that help to enhance and increase the quality of life for program participants”.
The all-volunteer Access Board of Directors is responsible for the agency’s strategic direction and oversight of its operations and the community
impact of the results it achieves.

Access Community Action Agency is designated by the federal and state government as the anti-poverty agency in northeast Connecticut. Access provides food, affordable housing, job readiness services, and other pathways to economic self-reliance for vulnerable limited-income families and individuals throughout the region. Learn more about Access by visiting https://accessagency.org/