Elsie Carruthers, 94, of Cypress, CA recently retired from the Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC) Board of Directors, after 16 years of service, the CAPOC announced.
Elsie Carruthers, 94, of Cypress, CA recently retired from the Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC) Board of Directors, after 16 years of service, the CAPOC announced.
CAPOC is part of a national network of non-profit, anti-poverty agencies, and provides 23,000 food boxes to seniors and families with children. CAPOC’ mission is to bring low-income families and communities to the point of self sufficiency. As a board member, Elsie brought with her a wealth of professional experience and community service. The CAPOC board, staff and community partners honored Carruthers with a luncheon, on Tuesday at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach.
Carruthers came to CAPOC as a representative for the then OC Board Supervisor, Jim Silva, and continued as a Board of Supervisors Representative after Silva was elected to the California Assembly.
Silva had appreciated Carruthers’ work when she served on the Cypress Senior Citizens’ Commission, where she was instrumental in establishing Acacia Adult Day Health Care, and for which she was presented the Grace Lachina Outstanding Senior Recognition Award in 2004.
Carruthers served on the Cypress Senior Citizens Advisory Council from 1995 to 2002. She also served on The Social Progress Advisory Committee and the Health Planning Council Advisory Board for drug abuse programs. Carruthers’ convictions led her to support partnering agencies, which included contributions to the rebuilding of the Southwest Community Center (SMEDA) which burned down.
“What an exciting journey all of this has been. I’ve worked with the best people and supported organizations that help those most in need. When you work to improve the living conditions and the health of the poor you feel that you have contributed to the well-being of the entire community,” Carruthers said.
Carruthers is particularly proud of her service on two Orange County Grand Juries where she worked with peers to oversee county government functions. She was a founding member of both state and national professional organizations for cytotechnology labs dealing with women’s health issues. She served as a consultant to the California State Department of Health on cytotechnology practices and helped institutionalize and conduct quality assurance testing.
Carruthers retired as Secretary-Treasurer of American Society for Cytotechnology in 1992, after three decades of active service. CAPOC works with over 400 charities and community organizations that serve more than 130,000 low income persons each month, providing groceries, particularly fresh produce, utility assistance, refrigerator replacement and home weatherization, to low income recipients in Orange County.
“My sincere congratulations go to Elsie as she embarks on this new time of leisure. She was a crucial ally for me as an Administrative Committee member,” James D. Colquitt, board treasurer, said.