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Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., is working to call attention to poverty and economic inequality in Southwest Oklahoma

In order to high light problems of poverty, growing economic inequality and the need to bring millions of struggling families and individuals into the middle class, Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., is joining the nation in recognizing the month of May as 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 to achieve econo0mic stability each year.

Due to the uncertain economic climate- still reeling 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 that so many in out community are facing,” said Neil Montgomery, Executive Director of Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. “For the past few years, we’ve been dealing with the weak economy that is creating unemployment for millions of people, many of which are already low income families. That is what creates economic inequality- if you don’t give American the resources and opportunities to succeed economically, the will continue to live in poverty.”

Each year, Community Action Agencies help more than 20 million Americans to achieve financial stability through local programs. These local programs are developed based on the needs of each individual community. Although many Community Action Agencies operate similar programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, Weatherization, Housing, Transportation, and RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), there are other programs that may be specific to our community and the needs that have been identified by community members.

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., operates the following programs for Jackson, Harmon, and Tillman Counties: Head Start and Early Head Start; Southwest Transit; Senior Nutrition; RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program); SWE (Southwest Enterprises); Red River Tobacco Education; Housing Program; Weatherization Program; ACMI House (Serves victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking); Community Cupboard; and RX for Oklahoma.

“Our program participants were already finding it difficult to make ends meet, but the Great Recession and the challenging economy have exacerbated the situation. Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., services are needed in the community now more than ever.”

Throughout the month of May and continuing through the summer, Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., will be partnering with the Altus Times and other local advertising avenues to ensure that every single member of our communities are aware of the services that Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., provides.

“People can’t use our services if they don’t know that they are available to them.”

SOCAG asks that you join them in working to fight the war on poverty right here in our community. Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., staff members have been dedicated for the last 49 years in helping people help themselves.

For more information about Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc., and the programs listed above, please feel free to call 580-482-5040 or stop by their central office located at 900 S. Carver Road.

“Together we can make a difference.”