Community Action is an organization that serves Marshall County and helps battle poverty. Community Action Agencies are private non-profit or public organizations that were created by the federal government in 1964 to combat poverty in geographically designated areas.
Status as a Community Action Agency is the result of an explicit designation by the state government. Gwen Wilson said the organization is a great asset for Marshall County to have.
"INCA Community Services is a member of the Community Action Partnership, which is the national hub that links the nations 1,000+ local Community Action Agencies to each other here and to leaders looking for solutions that connect families to great opportunities," Gwen Wilson said.
Community action includes a broad range of activities and is sometimes described as ‘social action' or ‘community engagement’. The organization puts communities at the heart of their own local services. It's a status that any private or public organization can apply for if they have significant community involvement and continuing educational programs.
Community Action Agencies reach out to low-income people in their communities, addressing their multiple needs through a comprehensive range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty. Wilson said the network inlaid in the organization is a lifeline for residents in need.
“Our mission statement: To ensure all causes and conditions of poverty are effectively addressed and to strengthen, promote, represent and serve the Community Action Network,” Wilson said. “It helps by linking large and smaller nonprofits and community leaders together to help come up with solutions for families and some of the problems and hardships they face.”
Organizations that wish to become part of the network must submit a Candidate Data Form which takes up to three years to fill out. Every four years the organization must recertify their CCAP status with a 250$ fee. they must also pass a written exam before they can receive your CCAP status.
Today, Community Action Agencies can be found in 96 percent of the cities and counties in the United States, including the Trust Territories. There are nearly 1,000 local CAAs, connected by a national network that includes a national association, regional and state CAA associations, a national lobbying organization, and a national association of Community Service Block Grant administrators. Community Action professionals have over 50 years of experience in mobilizing and targeting scarce resources to best meet the needs of the low-income community.
There are 18 Community Action Agencies in Oklahoma: Big Five Community Services in Durant, Community Action Agency of OKC & Oklahoma/Canadian Counties in Oklahoma City, Community Action Development Corporation in Frederick, CAP Tulsa in Tulsa, Community Action Resource & Development, Inc. in Claremore, Community Development Support Association ram for st in Enid, Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency in Shawnee, Deep Fork Community Action Foundation in Okmulgee, Delta Community Action Foundation in Lindsay, Great Plains Improvement Foundation in Lawton, INCA Community Services in Tishomingo, KI BOIS Community Action Foundation in Stigler, Little Dixie Community Action Agency in Hugo, Northeast Oklahoma Community Action Agency, Inc. in Watonga, Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group in Altus, United Community Action Program in Pawnee, and Washita Valley Community Action Council in Chickasha.
It’s safe to say that gaining a Community Action status is hard work that involves the people in the community, and takes a lot of time management to uphold the status. However, once gained, the organization can wear it with pride. Wilson said the organization helps make a difference.
Wilson said, “It’s an amazing opportunity for all of us to come together to find help for others and to make a difference.”