In order to highlight problems of poverty, growing economic inequality, and the need to bring millions of struggling families and individuals into the middle class, the Organized Community Action Program (OCAP) is celebrating National Community Action Month. National Community Action month, held annually in May, highlights Community Action Agencies’ work helping millions of families and individuals escape poverty and achieve economic stability each year.

OCAP will join Community Action Agencies across the country highlighting poverty problems and solutions. Due to the uncertain economic climate-still reeling from the Great Recession and high unemployment rates-Community Action Agencies feel it is critical to focus local, state and national attention and efforts on helping impoverished people move into the middle class, creating jobs, and growing the economy.

“We want to call attention to increasing poverty problems and financial difficulties many in our community are facing,” said Wanda Moultry, Executive Director. “For the past few years, we’ve been dealing with the weak economy that is creating unemployment for millions of people, many of them low-income. This is what creates economic inequality-if you don’t give vulnerable Americans resources and opportunities to succeed economically, they will continue to live in poverty.”

The national office of the Community Action Partnership designates May as National Community Action Month to recognize Community Action Agencies’ work fighting poverty on the local level. Each year, Community Action Agencies help 20 million Americans achieve financial stability through programs such as Head Start, Weatherization, job training and placement, financial education, housing, energy assistance, and transportation.

OCAP creates opportunities for people to thrive and prosper personally and economically through a variety of programs and services that encourage financial literacy, help people complete their education, pay for childcare, receive job training and purchase a home”, said Moultry. “Our program participants were already finding it difficult to make ends meet, but the Great Recession and the challenging economy have exacerbated the situation. OCAP’s services are needed now more than ever in order to help people escape poverty and have a chance to enter the middle class.”

OCAP serves the counties of Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes, Pike, Barbour, Henry, Houston, Geneva, Coffee, Conecuh and Monroe. For more information please visit our website at www.ocaptroy.com or call 334-566-1712.

This article was provided by OCAP.