With local nonprofit Community Partnership Inc.’s status in flux, its parent organization has said it will support the organization in its next steps forward, though few details regarding what that means were immediately provided.

Sandra Curry, former executive director of the agency, is no longer with the nonprofit. It was also reported Thursday, July 31, some other employees face either immediate layoffs or uncertainty in coming weeks.

Beck Moore, chief executive officer of Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), said the statewide network is working closely with Community Partnership’s board of directors and community action agency Westmoreland Community Action, to “support the organization during this period of transition.”

“At the request of the board, CAAP is assisting with an organizational review to better understand the agency’s current circumstances, identify immediate priorities and provide guidance on potential next steps,” Moore said in an email.

“Our role is to help ensure the board has the information and support necessary to make thoughtful decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, its employees, the people it serves and the Butler County community,” the email continued.

While the statewide network didn’t provide details on what was meant by a “period of transition” it said it will “provide updates as appropriate and when additional information can responsibly be shared.”

“We remain committed to providing technical assistance, organizational support and guidance as Community Partnership’s board evaluates the best path forward,” Moore said.

At one point, Community Partnership provided supplemental food for over 11,000 Butler County residents, according to its 2024 annual report. The organization also previously ran the Butler County food bank.

Community Partnership continued to participate in monthly food distributions at Lernerville Speedway and the Butler City Farmers’ Market in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank said it does not anticipate any impact on food bank distributions or services.

Community Partnership has seen its share of turmoil in recent years. Last year, elected representatives asked the state auditor general for an audit of Community Partnership. At the time, Curry rebutted claims of financial mismanagement.

Later discussions between the state, local elected officials and the organization ended with an agreement for Community Partnership to provide more transparency, including public access to its independent audits.

This week, Curry was officially informed of her separation from the organization.

“I can confirm that, as of July 29, I am no longer serving as the executive director of Community Partnership,” Curry told the Eagle on July 30. “I was provided with a notice of separation by representatives of Westmoreland County Community Action on behalf of CP’s board of directors on July 29. The letter stated that Westmoreland County Community Action would be overseeing a transitional period for the organization.”

Details on any transition or what was behind the choice to break ties with Curry and/or others are scarce. A number of individuals, including Community Partnership board President Robert Shook, declined to comment. Shook described the issue as a “private matter.”

CAAP could not be reached for further answers on where county residents who rely on Community Partnership can turn for help, what services Community Partnership has been actively providing and what will happen with existing employees.

“Out of respect for the board’s governance responsibilities and the ongoing review process, it would be inappropriate to speculate on specific outcomes at this time,” Moore said Friday morning. “Our focus is on helping the board understand its options and supporting a transition that best positions the organization to continue serving the community.”