Former Executive Director of CALV Inducted into National Hall of Fame

The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) has honored a true advocate of community action. Alan Jennings, former Executive Director of Community Action Lehigh Valley (CALV), has been named to the 2025 Community Action Hall of Fame, recognizing his decades of service and transformative impact on the Lehigh Valley.

Established last year, the Community Action Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have played a pivotal role in strengthening and inspiring the Community Action movement. Each state is invited to nominate one outstanding individual, with the final selections honored at NCAF’s annual Washington Conference and Community Action Fly-In Day. This year, thirteen individuals nationwide were inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining a distinguished group of leaders who have shaped anti-poverty initiatives since the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

Jennings’ legacy is undeniable. Over the course of 41 years at CALV—32 of them as Executive Director—he transformed the agency from a struggling nonprofit into one of the nation’s most dynamic Community Action Agencies. When he joined CALV in 1980 as an employment counselor, the agency was on the verge of collapse, operating under sanction by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By 1982, with Jennings leading new initiatives, the organization stabilized, refocused its mission, and began a remarkable period of growth.

One of Jennings’ earliest and most impactful achievements was the creation of the Lehigh Valley Food Bank—now known as Second Harvest Food Bank—which today serves six counties and has distributed more than 200 million pounds of food to nonprofits assisting over 100,000 people each month. Under his leadership, CALV expanded significantly, operating the Sixth Street Shelter for homeless families, revitalizing neighborhoods across the region, and helping low-income families achieve homeownership. His tenure also saw the launch of the Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, a federally certified financial institution that has lent over $12.75 million to businesses unable to secure traditional bank financing.

Beyond direct services, Jennings was a forceful advocate for policies benefiting low-income families. His work contributed to the establishment of the Green Future Fund, Allentown’s rental licensing regulations, the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, and the State Food Purchase Program. He also fought against mortgage fraud, pushed for increases in the minimum wage, and held financial institutions accountable for fair lending practices.

Jennings’ impact extended far beyond the Lehigh Valley. His insights have been featured in international media, including outlets in Japan, Portugal, Germany, and Scotland, as well as major U.S. publications like The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and The Wall Street Journal.

Alan Jennings pictured with Andrew Block, CALV's Government Relations Manager; Dawn Godshall, CALV's current Executive Director; and former Congressman Charlie Dent

Though he stepped down in 2021 due to his battle with Parkinson’s, his legacy continues to shape the organization he devoted his life to. His successor, Dawn Godshall, nominated him for this prestigious honor, recognizing his unrelenting dedication. “Alan was the visionary who built this agency into what it is today,” said Godshall. “His induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to the countless lives he touched and the lasting impact of his work.”

Jennings was officially honored at a ceremony on March 13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC. It’s a well-deserved recognition for a leader who spent decades ensuring that the Lehigh Valley—and beyond—became a better place for all.