At a time when individuals and families are struggling to
make ends meet, it is often difficult for people to access the help they need
on a local level. Community Action Agencies across Virginia are on the front
lines every day to provide much-needed services. They are a lifeline for so
many who just need help knowing how to navigate our systems and begin on the
road to self-sufficiency.
Community Action Agencies trace back to President Johnson’s "War on Poverty," with Virginia’s own People, Inc., serving as the first agency created in 1964. Funded by the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), these agencies are locally led with a mission to help hard-working families achieve economic independence.
Today, these agencies serve 99% of all American counties and are represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. This local control ensures that state and local authorities have the freedom to develop targeted solutions, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all federal programs.
In Virginia, there are 31 Community Action Agencies who served nearly 90,000 individuals and more than 50,000 families last year alone. These agencies build strong community partnerships with local organizations. In 2025, Virginia’s agencies partnered with more than 3,500 local nonprofits and government groups.
“Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact our network has had on families across Virginia,” said Matt Fitzgerald, Director, VDSS Office of Economic Opportunity. “One of the core beliefs of Community Action is to empower families without expanding government by trusting local communities to access and address their own needs.”
If you have client stories you'd like the OEO to amplify, please email gail.doyle@dss.viginia.gov.
Community Action Agencies trace back to President Johnson’s "War on Poverty," with Virginia’s own People, Inc., serving as the first agency created in 1964. Funded by the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), these agencies are locally led with a mission to help hard-working families achieve economic independence.
Today, these agencies serve 99% of all American counties and are represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. This local control ensures that state and local authorities have the freedom to develop targeted solutions, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all federal programs.
In Virginia, there are 31 Community Action Agencies who served nearly 90,000 individuals and more than 50,000 families last year alone. These agencies build strong community partnerships with local organizations. In 2025, Virginia’s agencies partnered with more than 3,500 local nonprofits and government groups.
“Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact our network has had on families across Virginia,” said Matt Fitzgerald, Director, VDSS Office of Economic Opportunity. “One of the core beliefs of Community Action is to empower families without expanding government by trusting local communities to access and address their own needs.”
If you have client stories you'd like the OEO to amplify, please email gail.doyle@dss.viginia.gov.