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History of
Community Action

"This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America....Our aim is not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it."

 

President Lyndon B. Johnson, State of the Union Address, January 8, 1964

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Community Action Agencies began in 1964 after President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty. America’s Community Action Agencies connect millions of children and families to greater opportunity, transforming their lives and making our communities – and our nation – stronger. By focusing on a range of community challenges, Community Action works to ignite economic growth and ensure all families can benefit. Across the country, Community Action Agencies are the nation’s eyes and ears about what’s getting in the way of a family’s economic stability and what’s working to help them succeed.

CSO is a member of the Community Action Partnership, the national hub that links the nation’s 1,000+ local Community Action Agencies and State Associations to each other and to leaders looking for solutions that connect families to great opportunity. Community Action Agencies are locally run but receive a range of public and private resources for their work. This includes funding from the federal Community Services Block Grant – America’s commitment to putting tax dollars back into communities to strengthen the economic security of families. Community Action Agencies have the expertise and dedication it takes to serve families and communities best.

Nonprofit organizations like CSO embody our nation’s spirit of hope, change people’s lives, and improve communities. They:

  • Connect individuals and families to approaches that help them succeed – including quality education programs for children, job searching or retraining for adults, stable and affordable housing for families, utility assistance for seniors, and so much more.

  • Promote community-wide solutions to seemingly stubborn challenges throughout our cities, suburbs, and in rural areas– whether it’s food insecurity, the lack of affordable housing or the need to promote economic growth that benefits all families.

  • Share expertise with national, state, and local leaders looking for evidence on what works to promote greater economic opportunity for children and families.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.

Need assistance? Give us a call and we'll be happy to help you!

Shamokin: (570) 644-6575 Ext. 0
2 E. Arch Street, Shamokin PA 17872

Sunbury: (570) 644-6575 Ext. 0

217 N. Center Street Sunbury PA 17801

Milton: (570) 644-6575 Ext. 0

219 Filbert Street Milton PA 17847

Bloomsburg: (570) 644-6575 Ext. 0

160 W. 6th Street Bloomsburg PA 18715

Danville: (570) 644-6575 Ext. 0

435 E. Front Street Danville PA 17821

 

If you are in need of emergency services while any of our offices are closed please call 211.

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© 2024 Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

This publication was financed in part by a CSBG Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Workforce development programs are made possible through the support of the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation, the leader and active partner in workforce development efforts. 

Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as exempt from income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. may be deductible for federal income tax purposes. The official registration and financial information of Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

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