Letter from the Executive Director

July, 1999

Dear Friends of OFC, Inc.,

Community Action is about helping families help themselves to achieve self-sufficiency and success. Community Action is about advocating for the right of all people to be treated with respect and dignity. Community Action is about recognizing assets and strengths and wisdom wherever they exist and building on those assets and strengths and wisdom for the good of the whole community. Community Action is about the elimination of poverty from the most prosperous nation on earth!

In 1999, the Community Action movement celebrates its 35th Anniversary. The Supplemental Feeding Program for Women, Infants and Children, WIC, celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Since poverty still exists, the "celebration" is more in the form of a recommitment to the goals of Community Action: successful families, vital and thriving communities and a compassionate and successful nation. We know there is still much to be done. You will see in the pages of this report that there is much Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. has already done to move our families and our community closer to thriving.

Look especially at the new ventures in which we are involved: Early Head Start and our selection by the Norwich Board of Education to operate their Pre-K program will help even more children and their families begin success early. Two new housing grants help to create new home owners and safer homes. Working with Chenango Works and the Emergency Services Task Group, we put in place a Crisis Intervention Unit and a second emergency shelter. We work closely with other members of the task group to move people out of crisis and into stable situations so that they can work on becoming self-sufficient.

Board and staff working with a variety of partners in the community: schools, government, communities of faith, other non-profits and most especially with families willing to work hard to achieve their goals ensures that Community Action Works!

Sincerely,

Daryl Mulwane President

Beverly R. Glen Executive Director