Our Story

In order to reduce poverty in its community, a Community Action Agency works to better focus available local, state, federal, and private resources to assist low-income individuals and families to acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Community Action History

The relative prosperity of the 1950s marked a dramatic increase in poverty among children, people living in rural America, and racial minorities. In 1964, The Great Society, as envisioned by President Lyndon Johnson, was a sweeping plan to improve the lives of all Americans, regardless of their circumstances.

The War on Poverty

In Johnson's first State of the Union address on June 8, 1964, he called for an unconditional war to defeat poverty.

Inspired by President Kennedy and his New Frontier, Johnson pledged to fulfill his promise of equal opportunity for all by enacting several comprehensive changes within the federal government. In August of that same year, the Economic Opportunity Act was signed into law by President Johnson creating the nationwide initiative known as Community Action.

This work is not easy, and demand is always shifting. Over the years, the federal government has also changed. The funding is now part of the Block Grant System, which allows for the flexibility and specialization of unique programs. Poverty is viewed as a systemic problem, and Community Action is a systems approach to resolving those issues.

There are now 1,100 Community Action Agencies serving 99% of the United States and Puerto Rico counties. The Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC) is one of 41 Community Action Agencies in Pennsylvania.

Community Action Association of Pennsylvania A statewide voice for local Community Action Agencies and low-income citizens that provides advocacy, education, technical assistance, collaboration, and networking for Community Action in PA.

Community Action Partnership Ensures the causes and conditions of poverty are effectively addressed and strengthens, promotes, represents, and serves the Community Action Network throughout the country.

How Community Action is Different

Community Action Agencies tailor assistance for local residents to solve local needs driven by a community needs assessment process and stakeholder engagement. For example, farming communities may need help forming cooperatives. Other communities may need job training or low-income housing.

Immediacy

The goal is to promptly stabilize a family, and thus avoid the long-term consequence of costly dependency. However, Community Action also has the capability to sustain long-term involvement in a family's progress to self-sufficiency, as well as in the development of the low-income community.

Coordination

A bedrock principle of Community Action is that resources of all kinds need to be integrated so they can be used in combination to solve community and individual problems.

Board Structure

Community Action Agencies are required to have a tripartite board consisting of equal parts of the local private sector, public sector, and low-income community representatives. This structure brings together community leaders from each of these groups to collaborate on developing responses to local needs. This allows for Maximum Feasible Participation in both the creation and administration of Community Action programs.

Core Funding

The Community Services Block Grant provides federal funding for Community Action Agencies to address poverty at the community level. To receive funding, the organization must be a federally recognized Community Action Agency. Congress is aware of what Community Action is doing in their districts and has recognized our value. The Community Services Block Grant has bi-partisan support in Congress.

Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC)

GECAC was incorporated in 1965 and designated by both the City and County of Erie as the Community Action Agency for Erie County. GECAC was officially recognized as a private, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with its own local board of directors.

1965

GECAC was known as the Greater Erie Anti-Poverty Action Committee
Head Start program begins
Budget is approximately $60,000
Charles Peters, Executive Director

1967

Name changed to Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC)
William Clark, Executive Director

1969

R. Benjamin Wiley hired as CEO

1970s

Focus turns to rural poverty
Headquarters relocates to West 9th Street
Staff grows from 54 to 181
GECAC is designated the Area Agency on Aging for Erie County
Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Meals on Wheels, Weatherization, Foster Grandparents, Upward Bound, and Senior Aides Programs are launched
Senior Centers are initiated
Operated Employment and Training programs
The budget grows to $9.5 million

1980s

Staff grows to 250 employees
Adult Protective Services on call 24-7
Launched Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Drug and Alcohol Services, Housing and Energy services, Dislocated Worker Training and Adult Basic Education
The budget grows to $11 million

1990s

Opened GECAC Learning Center
Head Start increases to 752 children
Founded the Wiley Community Charter School
Began Workforce Development and Welfare to Work Programs
Launched HomePLUS with the Housing Authority
Staff grows to 442 employees
The budget grows to $22.3 million

2000s

Launched the APPRISE Medicare Counseling program
Began the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, Pre-K Counts, and Family Savings Accounts
Head Start increased to 823 children
Operated the Erie CareerLink
Founding member of Erie Together
Ronald Steele hired as CEO
Budget increases to $38 million