In 1964, the poverty rate in the US was hovering around 19%. During President Lyndon B. Johnson's State of the Union Address in January of '65, he attacked the problem head on and officially declared "War on Poverty". Congress responded by passing the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 thereby creating the Office of Economic Opportunity to administer federal funds for use by states on anti-poverty fighting measures. The funds would be distributed to a network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) - nonprofit private and public organizations established by the Economic Opportunity Act to fight America's War on Poverty.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Economic Opportunity Act and officially declares "War on Poverty".
Around this same time, a group of concerned citizens in the Georgetown area formed the Sussex County Community Action Agency. The group applied for federal recognition of non-profit status and was incorporated on April 12, 1966 thus becoming Delaware's first federally recognized Community Action Agency. Today there are approximately 1000 Community Action Agencies serving the poor in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Trust Territories.
First State CAA is proud to be a part of the Community Action Agency family. This year marks a major milestone for all CAAs as we commemorate 45 years of serving America's poor and disadvantaged. For more information on CAAs, please visit the National Community Action Partnership website at http://www.communityactionpartnership.com.
First State CAA is proud to be a part of the Community Action Agency family. This year marks a major milestone for all CAAs as we commemorate 45 years of serving America's poor and disadvantaged. For more information on CAAs, please visit the National Community Action Partnership website at http://www.communityactionpartnership.com.
