On Aug. 20, 1964, in Washington, D.C., President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). The EOA created a variety of programs including Community Action Agencies as part of his War on Poverty. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency (SRCAA) was one of those agencies established to address local poverty problems in rural, urban and suburban communities across the country. SRCAA got its start serving Salisbury residents in 1964.
“SRCAA’s track record in Rowan, Cabarrus, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore and Stanly counties highlights the positive impact we’ve had helping our neighbors overcome a variety of financial and personal challenges,” said Stan Wilson, executive director of SRCAA.
“We have a long-standing history of helping individuals and families meet their goals in improving their lives with programs such as early childhood education, (Head Start), youth and family services, youth career and education training services. Our success stories underscore our ability to achieve measurable results. This includes Joy McEntyre Blakeney, a Head Start alum who graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a master’s Degree in nursing and is currently employed at Salisbury VA Medical Center; Candace Miller who entered SRCAA’s Youth and Family Services program and went on to become an entrepreneur and started her own company, Southern Charm; Shaqueal Edwards worked with SRCAA youth development specialists and received his GED and was accepted into the business program at Kings College.”
In 2014, Community Action Agencies across the country will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Community Action. Nationally, the Community Action Partnership will honor the occasion during its 2014 Annual Convention Aug. 19-22 in Washington, D.C. Locally, Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency will host Community Action Day on May 30.
Founded in 1964, Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency (SRCAA) is a regional North Carolina nonprofit organization established for the purpose of empowering low-income families and serving as a key to addressing poverty. Headquartered in Salisbury, the agency has approximately 300 employees and serves Cabarrus, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Rowan and Stanly counties. Its mission is to provide services for individuals, children and families to enhance their quality of life and promote opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The agency has established a vision whereby everyone has an opportunity for success in life. SRCAA is guided by principles that include accountability, integrity, advocacy, collaboration and transparency. Key programs and services include early childhood education (Head Start), family self-sufficiency, career education and training services for youth and weatherization services to make homes energy efficient.