2019 marks the 55th year since the Community Action Network was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. Over 1,000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors to make communities stronger and help families across the U.S. thrive.
This year, the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), a proud member of the Community Action Network, will also commemorate 54 years of helping families throughout Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties.
Over the years, the Agency has grown in response to community needs and currently offers a wide range of human services programming across nine counties.
“Each May during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact that AEOA and our network has had on families,” said Paul Carlson of AEOA. “Last year alone, we served 36,521 individuals across nine counties of northeast Minnesota and over 15 million across the country with immediately needed services such as shelter, food, and long-term solutions like education and job placement.”
Community Action Agencies serve 99 percent of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. “We are proud of the participation of our communities in the development and oversight of our programs,” said Carlson. “Their engagement helps us to be more effective in our approach by determining what our communities need.”
To celebrate the continued success of Community Action and raise awareness throughout our service area, AEOA is hosting a social media awareness campaign, running a “Huggy Heart” coloring contest; a blood drive; and initiating our yearly employee community volunteering program throughout the month of May.
AEOA is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network, which was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) is a private, nonprofit Community Action Agency with over 54 years of service as a major provider of self-sufficiency services to low-income and disadvantaged persons throughout northeastern Minnesota.
The Agency is governed by a board of directors comprised of one-third low-income community residents, one-third public officials, and one-third private sector representatives.
AEOA’s mission is to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for people experiencing social and economic challenges. To learn more, visit the AEOA website at www.aeoa.org.
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