Community Services Office is a member of the National Community Action Partnership, which is the national hub that links the nation’s 1,000+ local Community Action Agencies and State Associations to each other and to leaders looking for solutions that connect families to greater opportunity.
We are a proud member of the National Community Action Partnership.
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the War on Poverty, aiming not only to alleviate poverty symptoms but to eradicate and prevent it. Recognizing the complexity and interconnectedness of poverty and racial discrimination, Johnson committed to addressing various issues across civil rights, employment, education, health, housing, and more. The Great Society vision emphasized abundance, liberty, and an end to poverty and racial injustice. The Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), signed in 1964, played a central role in the War on Poverty, establishing programs like Job Corps, Adult Basic Education, and VISTA.
One noteworthy outcome of the EOA was the formation of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the country. In 1964, in Hayter’s Gap, Virginia, a grassroots coalition transformed into the Progressive Community Club, becoming one of the first CAAs. The success of local coalitions utilizing EOA funding led to the rapid establishment of 1,600 new CAAs by 1966, serving diverse communities.
People Incorporated, born from the Progressive Community Club, stands as an innovative CAA. The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) launches its 60th-anniversary campaign in January 2024, coinciding with key milestones, including the anniversary of Johnson’s State of the Union Address and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Throughout 2024, the Community Action Network will commemorate its 60th anniversary, recognizing the impactful journey of CAAs in combating poverty and empowering communities. Individual CAAs and State Associations will continue celebrating their 60th anniversaries in 2025 and beyond.
Mobilize resources and devise solutions that unlock opportunities for low-income families who are struggling to provide basic needs for themselves and their families
Fighting Poverty
Helping Others
Identifying Goals
Creating Opportunities
Generosity
Shaping Change
Fighting Poverty
Identifying Goals
Creating Opportunities
Generosity
Shaping Change
The essence of community action is service and partnership. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Community Action Network as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty initiative to fight and end poverty across the nation through a network of local, state, and nationally focused organizations.
We serve low-income individuals and families through a combination of assistance, encouragement, and incentives to become self-sufficient. From Head Start and other education programs, to adult employment and training, to food and rental assistance – we provide solutions economically disadvantaged people need to survive.
Community Services Office
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