National Community Action Month Highlights our collective impact

In January 1964, during his first State of the Union address, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “War on Poverty.” He described the widespread poverty in the United States—nearly 20 percent of Americans were poor at the time—as a national disgrace requiring a national response. He also argued that poverty stemmed not from personal failings, but from broader social conditions (War on Poverty, 2023).

The War on Poverty led to the creation of several new federal programs and agencies. Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which became law in August of that year and established the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Through the OEO, the federal government funded vocational training, launched Job Corps to train young people in conservation camps and urban centers, and created VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps. The law also established Head Start, an early education program for children from low-income families, among other initiatives.

For more than 40 years, Ohio’s urban community action agencies have worked to reduce poverty and support as many as 56 percent of the state's low-income households. OUCAN member agencies are committed to reducing food insecurity, expanding access to housing, and helping families earn a livable wage. We advocate for policies that put families first and create pathways to self-sufficiency, equity, and lasting change.

I honor and celebrate you for the work you do each day, but especially during National Community Action Month. Thank you for all you do to help working families reach their goals through programs and services that promote self-sufficiency.

Because of you, OUCAN agencies—supported by $19 million in federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding and an additional $1.8 million in awards—are serving more than 100,000 low-income households.

Because of you, nearly 17,000 families are safely housed in their communities, 5,000 children are socially and academically prepared for kindergarten, and 800 Ohioans have received career and technical training.

Because of you, more than 4,000 seniors are thriving, and residents who receive weatherization services save an average of $30 to $100 per month on utility bills.

Because of you, more than 70,000 families can access Home Energy Assistance Programs (HEAP) to help manage rising energy costs.

As this year’s National Community Action Month comes to a close, please know that your work matters and is deeply appreciated.

Thank you!

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Cooley, Aaron. "War on Poverty". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/War-on-Poverty. Accessed 21 May 2026.