WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies were established by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as a crucial aspect of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty”; and
WHEREAS, today there are approximately 1,000 Community Action Agencies, serving every state and 96 percent of counties in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies serve more than 16.2 million individuals per year; and
WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies are the primary source of direct support for more than 40 million people who live in poverty in the United States; and
WHEREAS, incorporated in 1966, First State Community Action Agency is Delaware’s first and only federally recognized Community Action Agency; and
WHEREAS, for over 50 years, First State Community Action Agency has provided an ever evolving and expanding array of programs and services that are essential to helping poverty-stricken individuals become more independent; and
WHEREAS, as of September 2022, First State Community Action provided affordable housing to 247 individuals, helped 120 families avoid foreclosure and 1,580 individuals avoid eviction, helped 1,673 households avoid utility shutoff, and provided heating and cooling assistance to 588 homes; and
WHEREAS, First State Community Action Agency Employment, Training, and Special Services provided 343 jobs, programs for senior citizens, after-school and enrichment programs for Delaware youth, workforce development, and other services and programs designed to eliminate the root causes of poverty; and
WHEREAS, First State Community Action Agency serves over 12,500 people per year.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that May 2023 is proclaimed “Community Action Month” in the State of Delaware.
