May is Community Action Month
May is National Community Action Month, an opportunity to share our stories, celebrate our successes, and raise awareness of the work Community Action agencies perform across the country.
Founded as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, America’s Community Action Program was designed to provide services to address community needs and administers a full range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty and make progress toward elimination of poverty.
Today, there are more than 1,000 Community Action agencies reaching 99% of all counties in the United States, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
And each year, Community Action provides direct services to more than 15 million people through programs that include Head Start and Early Head Start, energy assistance, weatherization, employment services, affordable housing assistance, food support, and initiatives that help low-income households improve their quality of life and chart a course for financial empowerment.
KCAO is celebrating 59 years of service to Kings County this year.
KCAO’s mission is “working as a team, KCAO will seek and provide programs that develop self-sufficiency in individuals, families, and communities within Kings County.”
KCAO currently has 26 sites, that serves over 18,000 individuals annually through early childhood education programs, childcare, food distributions and food programs, energy bill assistance, weatherization, rental assistance, affordable housing, tax services, and crisis services.
Community Action agencies would not be successful without their passionate staff, volunteers, and community partners. Thank you to all those who have served!
KCAO also wants to give a shout-out to the half dozen KCAO staff members who have given over 30 years of service to Kings County.
Please join us next year when KCAO looks forward to celebrating 60 years of service to Kings County in May of 2025.
