The Community Action Movement has a 30+year history of working at the local level to improve the lives of the poor. It was launched in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). This legislation was the culmination of initiative stated in the Kennedy Administration, which Johnson expanded and shepherded through Congress. He threw down the gauntlet in the fight against poverty in his State of the Union Address on January 8, 1964.

Let us carry forward the plans and programs of John F. Kennedy, not

on Poverty in America.

At that time, Americans were keenly aware of the discrepancies existing between the economically disadvantaged and the financially secure in this country. Poverty was recognized as a bottom-line cause of most social ills; economic opportunity was viewed as the primary tool for reducing poverty and increasing self-sufficiency.

After the Committee was established, its first task was to request a planning grant to determine the extent of poverty and establish the target area in which a Community Action program would operate. Five neighborhoods were identified and selected as target areas. The proposal was approved in December 1965.

The First Executive Director, Mrs. Norvleate Downing, was appointed on January 6, 1966 and the NNOEO opened its doors in February with a staff of seven. Its fist site was in the old Magruder School at 1141 - 22^nd Street.

The first major effort of the NNOEO was working with the elderly in "Operation Medicare Alert." NNOEO expanded its operations in the following years to provide many services needed by low-income families and individuals. However, there were ups and downs when, for example, in 1973 it appeared the federal government would terminate anti-poverty funding. With such events, only the determination and leadership of all concerned allowed programs to continue until funding was resumed.

From that date in 1966 until the present, this Agency (now known as the Office of Human Affairs) has continued to serve the needs of low-income families and individuals by offering a variety of services designed to assist them in their endeavors to become self-sufficient.

The organization has grown from $21,114 and a staff of seven in 1965 to $6,289,000 and a staff of 236 people at the end of our program year 1998.

CHARTER MEMBERS OF NNEOC APPOINTED - Charter members of Newport News Economic Opportunity Committee (NNEOC) appointed by Newport News City Council in June 1965.

FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Mrs. Norvleate Downing was appointed in January 1966, and served until her death in February 1983.

NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH CORPS - This program started in March 1966 as a cooperative effort with Peninsula Coordinating Committee. Initially, only high school dropouts were served. OHA subsequently was funded to serve in-school youth who were rising seniors or college bound. By 1968 all Neighborhood Youth Corp programs were under the sponsorship of OHA.

ADULT EDUCATION - Classes using volunteers were started in October 1966. High school students were used to assist elementary school students, college students for high school students, and adult tutors assisted adults.

THE FIRST JOB FAIR - A Job Fair was held to bring together employers and those seeking employment in November 1966. Over fifty employers took part in the Fair to provide jobs and employment counseling. This program developed into a career guidance tool to assist high school youth in choosing a career and planning for the future.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAINING PROGRAM - This program began in February 1967 with 30 male heads of household. Training at the Hampton Institute Trade Center included auto mechanics, brick masonry, and household electrical wiring. The trainees were sponsored by social, civic, and religious organizations.

CLEAN-UP/FIX-UP/PAINT-UP CAMPAIGN - Started in April 1967, this program was to assist area residents in the physical improvement of their living areas. Paint and other materials for this project were furnished through OHA from donations by area businesses. It was the first campaign of this type in the City.

NEW CAREERS PROGRAM - This program was started in May 1967 to train disadvantaged residents in the Human Services field. In its nine years of operation, over 1,016 persons were trained and employed, including over 150 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

HELP ELDERLY LONELY PEOPLE PROGRAM (HELP) - This initiative was started in June 1967 to assist the elderly by visiting them, doing shopping errands, performing emergency home-make services, referral service, assisting with hospital entry, transportation to area doctors and clinics, and telephone reassurance. The program served 16,048 elderly persons by providing 37,459 services.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM - This effort began in June 1967 and continued until 1973. Eight hundred fifty-one participants were placed in permanent employment through this program.

OPERATION GREEN THUMB - This program began in December 1967 to provide part-time jobs for disadvantaged senior citizens. Men worked in the City Parks Department using gardening and farming skills. Ladies worked as aides assisting the homebound and conducting senior citizen activities in the Neighborhood Centers.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - This program ran from June 1968 through May 1984. About 21,941 youth were provided 17,930 different services such as summer job development, rent-a-kid, after school study, pre-school children’s activities, day camps, drug abuse prevention information, and recreational activities.

NEWPORT NEWS NEIGHBORHOOD FEDERAL CREDIT UNION - From its origin in 1968 the credit union grew to 185 members and over $130,000 in assets in 1998. The original concept was and is to provide a means by which individuals could borrow and save when other avenues were not open to them. This credit union is one of very few that survived the Federal OEO wipe-out.

NASA CLERICAL TRAINING - This training began in February 1969 due to restrictions in the New Careers program. To overcome them, OHA provided recruitment, intake, assessment, counseling, accounting, job development, and follow-up support for the effort. NASA provided on-the-job and classroom training, supervision, counseling, and stipends to enrollees. A total of 616 persons participated and 216 of them were placed in jobs during the six-year run.

HIGHS AND LOWS - 1970 proved a bumpy year. No new programs were established and funding was reduced by 12 percent which gave an indication of things to come; in 1971 funding was reduced another 19 percent. However, six of nine programs had participation levels that were higher than those in 1969.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (PEP) - Established by the Department of Labor in August 1971. OHA received responsibility for its operation. The program allowed municipal and state agencies to fill unbudgeted but needed positions. Ultimately, these were to be converted to locally funded positions. By May 1972, 138 persons had participated. Some original participants are now supervisors in City Departments.

FAMILY PLANNING - This effort began in June 1971 and lasted until May 1974. Services were offered to indigent women in Newport News by providing outreach, follow-up, education, transportation, referrals to City Health department, limited babysitting, and supportive services in general. More than 14,000 contacts were made by the Family Planning staff during the three-year life of the program.

SHOWING APPRECIATION - Participants who had been helped, helped others. Participants of the Neighborhood Youth Corps collected and distributed food to needy families in December 1972.

CHANGING FUNDING LEVELS - Funding rose to over two million dollars in 1972, but dropped again in 1973 and 1974. However, despite a 13 percent reduction in funding the numbers of program participants dropped only seven percent.

ABOLITION OF OEO - Elimination of this federal agency caused a name change and the agency became officially the Office of Human Affairs. With the passing of OEO not only was a name change made but the strategy for providing needed services was effected as well.

THE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT (CETA) - This law was passed in 1973, but its effects were not realized until 1974. While federally funded, this program came to OHA through the Peninsula Office of Manpower Programs (POMP), but remained a responsibility of OHA. CETA remained the main source of manpower program funding until its repeal in 1982.

ENERGY CRISIS - Energy shortages and costs affected everyone. In January, 1974, OHA became the Energy Crisis Center for the City of Newport News. OHA was charged with stockpiling fuel oil, kerosene, and wood for emergency issue to those in need.

SERVICE SYSTEMS FORUM - OHA encouraged the organization and is a charter member of the Service Systems Forum. Its membership - executive directors of human service agencies serving Newport News. The purpose of the Forum is to establish and strengthen lines of communication between and among member agencies and to most effectively and efficiently utilize available resources. The program has expanded with memberships in Hampton, and James City County/Williamsburg. The Forum conducts an annual workshop and training at Christopher Newport University.

CONTRACT AND LABOR COMPLIANCE - The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority contracted with OHA, in 1978, to monitor compliance in Economic Development Administration and HUD projects.

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM - This USDA supplement School Feeding program served 79,115 youth from low income families. This program has continued to serve youth which ensures them at least one nutritious meal during the summer months. The program expanded into Hampton in 1997 with a contract with the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department. The program in 1998 fed over 113,000 lunches at 25 locations across Newport News and Hampton.

SENIOR CENTER - 1978 was the year the State Office of Aging funded renovation of the Senior Citizen’s Lounge at Wilson Center on Hampton Avenue.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE ACT - The Agency, in 1979, suggested the philosophy of the Neighborhood Assistance Act and assisted in its development and approval. The act gives private businesses tax credits for financial donations to organizations that serve low-income neighborhoods.

THE WILSON CENTER - Thomas Nelson Community College agreed to offer college courses at the Wilson Center in 1979. GED classes were also held at Wilson. The Center, once Woodrow Wilson Elementary School again became a learning facility.

THE COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - This program was funded by the Community Service Administration. Its focus was research and development emphasizing the creation of new businesses in the Southeast section of Newport News.

THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM - This program ended in 1981 after having serviced 287 homes. A multi-agency operation, it helped low income families conserve fuel through making their homes more energy efficient. Funding was secured from the Department of Energy, through the Virginia Association of Community Action Agencies. CETA trainees were the labor force with OHA providing supervision and administration.

VIRGINIA CARES - As one program ended, OHA took responsibility for another, Virginia CARES. This program provided assistance and services to ex-offenders and their families through self-enrichment programs, job-preparation, etc. The program ended in 1996 directly through Virginia CARES, however was funded from the State directly and the name changed to the Re-entry Assistance Program (RAP).

REPEAL OF CETA - This law was repealed in 1982 bringing a 50 percent reduction in funding. Once again OHA faced closing its doors. Administration and operation of employment and training programs dropped in proportion to the funding reduction.

JOBS TRAINING PARtnERSHIP ACT (JTPA) - This law replaced CETA in 1983. The workfare program began in the same year.

EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES - In 1982 OHA and the Department of Social Services spearheaded the organization of a task force to study the emergency housing needs in Newport News. From this initial step and many subsequent efforts, the first emergency shelter for families was opened in November 1984.

HOUSING - Housing always is a major factor in community welfare, especially for low income families and the elderly. In 1982, HUD contracted with OHA to provide housing counseling services which include the Home-ownership Counseling Program.

RESOURCE MOTHER PROJECT - OHA was one of the four recipients, statewide, of funds from the Department of Health to operate a Resource Mothers Project. This project was spearheaded by Ms. Lynda Robb, wife of then-Governor Robb, and Louis Lucas, State Representative from Norfolk. The project addresses the problems of teenage pregnancy. It brings together women who combine warmth, parenting experience and knowledge of their community with pregnant teenagers, delivering for the first time, who need to be encouraged to seek health care for themselves and the babies, to continue their education and to take pride in developing skills to properly care for their infants.

PROJECT DISCOVERY - In 1986 funds were appropriated by the Department of Education to operate Project Discovery in the city of Hampton. The program was expanded to Newport News in 1988. This program is designed to encourage middle and high school students to pursue higher levels of education and/or training.

FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS SHELTER - OHA operated a 48 bed shelter for homeless families on a contractual basis for the Friends of the Homeless, Inc. The facility and program was designed to provide referral and direct access to a wide range of support services which helped stabilize and prepare the homeless family for independent living.

PLANNING GRANT - In December 1991, a planning committee was formed to study all aspects of child care, to include: availability, and accessibility for residents in the southeast section of Newport News. Survey workers canvassed the target community to assess community needs. Funding for this project was provided by the Council On Child Day Care and Early Childhood Programs.

CITIZEN’S REVIEW BOARD FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING (CRB)- The City of Newport News City Manager, NNRHA and the Office of Human Affairs started the CRB in 1992 to study the need for such a board to address landlord and tenant problems. The board was formally organized by the City of Newport News by City Ordinance on December 1992 after recommendation from the panel. The Board was instrumental in bringing attention to tenant problems in the blighted HUD housing developments at Woodsong and Glen Gardens, eventually assisting in the closing and relocation of over 900 families.

TRINITY CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER - OHA was awarded funds from the Virginia Department of Education to implement an after-school and an "at-risk" four year-old child care program. Both child care programs were housed at Trinity Baptist Church in Newport News.

CORNERSTONES - In 1992 OHA received funding from the Department of Education to implement a Vocational Education program. During the duration of the program 151 16 - 21 year-old at-risk youth were provided over 2,690 services. The program provided vocation education services, job search, self-esteem building, work-related equipment, and job-placement assistance, tuition grants for Community College/trade schools to youth who had been suspended/expelled from public schools and/or directed to attend by juvenile court services.

OPERATION CLEAN COMFORT - A joint venture with the HomeBase of the Virginia Peninsula Operation Clean Comfort was developed and started by OHA in October 1995 offering a shower, clean clothes, and special services to the homeless. Using the empty shower facility at the old Julius Conn Gym on 30^th Street in Newport News, the program has as average of over 400 participants each month using the facility.

SHIFTING OF HELM AND REDIRECTION - Ms. Emmagene Slade, Community Programs Director, assumed the position as Acting Executive Director in January 1994, with Curtis Johnson as Interim Executive Director, until Mr. Robert D. Ayers, Jr. was selected in May 1994 as Executive Director of OHA.