CPAN Executive Director Lyn Smith is retiring after 17 years in early August.
She is the third coordinator of the organization now known as the Community Poverty Action Network, formerly the Child Poverty Action Network, following JoAnne Brooks and Bonnie Schryer.
Where CPAN goes from here, is out of Lyn’s busy hands.
Smith explains the name variation originated when CPAN became independent of the Phoenix Centre.
Tools for School, The Festival of Trees, and Operation Snowsuit may stick in your mind as CPAN projects- (even in the dog days of summer), and despite the separation from the vaunted Phoenix Centre, CPAN’s theme song, Children of Poverty, was written and recorded by Phoenix former Director, Greg Lubimov.
Lyn concedes she is still leaving work undone for her successor to consider.
CPAN, an independent registered charity, aimed at ameliorating the lives of kids- an organization with many practical accomplishments, in a field to which governments give only lip-service.
Child Poverty Action Network – Website by GallantMEDIA.ca (renfrewcountycpan.ca)
By Rick Stow