First State Community Action marks 57 years of service

2021 marks the 57th year since the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 established the Community Action Network to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. Over 1,000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors, making communities stronger and helping families across the U.S. thrive.

This year, First State Community Action Agency Inc., a proud member of the Community Action Network, also commemorates 57 years of service helping families throughout Delaware. “Last year alone we served over 7,600 people in Delaware, and over 15 million across the country with immediately needed services such as shelter and food, and also long-term solutions like education and job placement,” said Bernice Edwards of First State Community Action Agency.

First State provides over 20 programs aimed at building whole, empowered families and inclusive, healthy communities equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive with the end goal of realizing the mission to work toward the elimination of poverty and lessen the effects of poverty on people with low incomes.

Community action agencies serve 99 percent of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public and low-income sectors of the community. “We are proud of our communities’ participation in the development and oversight of our programs,” said Edwards. “Their engagement helps us to be more effective in our approach by determining what Delaware needs.”

For more information, go to firststatecaa.org.