When former President Lyndon Johnson took up arms in the War on Poverty in the summer of 1964, he signed the Economic Opportunity Act, which in turn established the Community Action Network to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. As a result of all that action in Washington, D.C., more than 1,000 agencies across the country have developed and work every day to create opportunities for and transform the lives of neighbors, helping make each community stronger and helping families to thrive. One of those is commemorating 39 years in that very important business — The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.
That agency was established in 1982 to wage the war on poverty in Cass and Van Buren Counties by promoting self-sufficiency for those of limited income, ensuring that all residents are able to live in dignity, implementing innovative and cost-effective programs to improve the lives and living conditions of the impoverished, providing support and instruction for everyone in need of assistance, and being a major voice of reason in establishing welfare system reforms. Ten years later, in 1992, Berrien County was officially added to the service delivery area, and since then, SMCAA has continued to help people and change lives throughout the Tri-County region.
SMCAA’s Executive Director, Kim Smith Oldham tells us, “The month of May is ‘Community Action Month’, and SMCAA takes this time to honor and celebrate the impact Community Action has in the lives of families and communities across the country.” She adds, “Community Action agencies are successful every day in helping families achieve economic security. Given that the needs of each family and community are unique, Community Action is able to use a range of resources and programs to meet local needs in creative and impactful ways.”
Community Action agencies serve 99-percent of all American counties with life-changing services to help individuals and families achieve financial stability. The past year was no exception, even given the global pandemic outbreak. Operations Manager, Ashley Slack, reports, “In 2020 alone, SMCAA served 4,956 individuals and 3,293 households across Southwest Michigan with immediately needed services such as rent assistance, utility assistance, shelter and food, and also long-term solutions like homebuyer and financial education, emergency housing repairs, and energy-saving weatherization within homes.” In addition, the Agency offered monthly food product giveaways which has provided more than 74,000 families with food since March of 2020.
Despite experiencing budget cuts, shrinking resources, and increased demands for services during these challenging economic times, SMCAA has been remarkably successful assisting the low-income families and individuals of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties to achieve and maintain economic security. As Kim Smith Oldham attests, “Our staff is committed to the community we serve because it is right, it is wise, and, in our hearts and minds, we truly believe it is possible to conquer poverty. We are Community Action Strong.”
The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency – part of a state and national network.
SMCAA brings together federal and state grants funds as well as dollars from local, private, and public sources. Those resources are then directed into programs which aid the low income and otherwise disadvantaged throughout the age spectrum, from preschoolers to the elderly of southwestern Michigan. The funds include dollars which are targeted at very specific problems, as well as dollars which are more flexible in nature.
SMCAA is dedicated to empowering diverse people in need and supporting their journey towards economic security. Their vision is to be a beacon of support in a strong, thriving community by helping people and changing lives.
You can learn more about SMCAA online at: http://www.smcaa.com
