About Us

The idea of Community Action came out of the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of 1964. The overall purpose of the statute was to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty in the United States. Under the Act, a federal Office of Economic Opportunity was established, state Economic Opportunity offices were formed, and new community-based organizations called Community Action Agencies evolved.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency was incorporated in 1965 under the Equal Opportunity Act, 1964 as a not-for-profit Community Action Agency serving the counties of Butler, Carter, Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon and Wayne.

"...it is therefore the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone, the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity." Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson

What Is Our Mission?

The mission of South Central Missouri Community Action Agency is to assist low-income families in their efforts to become self-sufficient by providing programs and services to improve the quality of their lives and the opportunity to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty.

What Is Our Vision?

For Families

All families are supported in their goals to be self sufficient.  They are viewed not as burdens to society but as productive citizens who can make a positive difference.  We envision families who have the potential to improve their own lives and the determination to help others.  Our vision is that all families are self reliant and have support systems in their community.

For Communities

Our community vision is not defined by geographical boundaries or stock market analyses.  We envision our communities as large families concerned with the well-being of all its citizens.  We want neighborhoods that are safe and growing, employers who are fair and rewarding and academic institutions that are innovative and achieving.  Our vision is that communities invest in their people, realizing that human investment reaps the greatest returns. 

For Agency

The agency will be a leader in south central Missouri by providing innovative and creative solutions for families and communities grappling with the effects of poverty. Through established partnerships and human connections we will use our best tools and resources against an enemy that threatens the lives and livelihood of the people we serve.  Our vision as an agency is to end poverty - one family at a time.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency
2010-2011 Board of Directors

About Us South Central Missouri Community Action Agency is governed by a twenty-one member tri-partite Board  of Directors.  One-third of the board is elected public officials or their representatives. One-third is representatives of business, industry, labor, religion, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community.  One-third is individuals who represent the poor in the area served.  The tri-partite composition of membership provides for the actual problems experienced by the poor to be voiced by their representatives and responded to by the representatives of the business and local government.

COUNTY MEMBER SECTOR ORGANIZATION Butler James Mays Low-Income Am Vets   Bill Blagg Public Neelyville School Board   Robert Smith Private Attorney         Carter Richard Clyburn Low-Income East Carter Co. Nutrition Center   Eddie Ballard Public Carter Co. Commissioner   Shirley Burke Private Carter Co. FSD         Dent Doug Walter Low-Income Salem United Methodist Church   Craig Smith Public Dent Co. Fire Board   Lelia Cotner Private Dent Co. Shelter Workshop   Penny Lanham   Head Start Liason         Reynolds Donald Hayes Low-Income Bunker Senior Citizens   Doug Warren Public Reynolds Co. Commissioner   Beth Buford Private Sun Security Bank         Ripley Betty Hampton Low-Income Ripley Co. Sheltered Workshop   Janice Spencer Public Ripley Co. County Assessor   Leo Ivy Private American Legion         Shannon Colleen Detwiler (Sec.) Low-Income Shannon Co. Sheltered Workshop   Summer Crider Public Shannon Co.  Assessor   Roger Dillon (Treas.) Private Chamber of Commerce         Wayne Bill Asher (Vice Pres.) Low-Income Piedmont Eagles   Bud Snyder Public Wayne Co. Commissioner (rep.)   Bill McMurry (President) Private Chamber of Commerce

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency
Administrative Office Staff