Who we are & What we do
J
ackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc. was founded on Aug. 31, 1965. The nonprofit, tax-exempt agency is a member of the Community Action Partnership. JCCAC is led by Executive Director Diann Payne and a Board of Directors selected from the community. JCCAC is one of more than a thousand Community Action Agencies (CAA) across the country founded as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society.In his State of the Union address on January 8, 1964, President Johnson proposed legislation he dubbed the War on Poverty. The Economic Opportunity Act passed on August 20, 1964. It created the now-defunct Office of Economic Opportunity. The OEO would found programs such as Head Start, Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) and Job Corps as well as Community Action Programs.
The purpose of the Community Action Agencies is to empower the poor in effort to fight poverty. CAAs rely heavily on volunteer work and are funded largely through the Community Service Block Grant program. These Agencies work to promote self-sufficiency. Boards of CAAs are populated by representatives from public officials, the private sector and the poor. CAAs help their communities by promoting volunteerism and citizen participation, providing utility bill assistance for low-income individuals, administration of Head Start pre-school programs, job training and operating food pantries.
JCCAC, in partnership with the America’s Promise Alliance, facilitates a number of programs directed at youth and education.
America’s Promise was founded in 1997 with General Colin Powell as Chairm
an and is currently chaired by his mother, Alma Powell. America’s Promise Alliance is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups.
America’s Promise has established its list of five Promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education and Opportunities to Help Others. Through these promises, JCCAC is hoping to reduce Mississippi’s already grim drop-out rate.
In 2007, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Promise Zone was established. As lead agency, JCCAC facilitates a number of programs aimed at reducing the drop-out rate and improving the lives of local children. Through school-based programs, JCCAC has formed partnerships with area public schools to implement valuable programs to a large number of students.
Among the programs are Mississippi Scholars, Junior Achievement and Youth Engaged in Service. Through a partnership with the American Bar Association’s Championing Our Students program, JCCAC also facilitates an online mentoring program, summer law camps and a spring sports-law summit.
MISSION AND VISION
MISSION:
It is the mission of Jackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc. to serve the needy of Jackson County by developing and delivering quality services that focus on HUMAN DEVELOPMENT and SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
VISION
JCCAC will be the standard of excellence in developing, providing and delivering quality, responsive services to the elderly, children and families.
JCCAC will be a model agency that provides quality services that meet the individual needs of clients.
JCCAC employees will be dedicated to the continuous improvement of in service delivery to clients.
JCCAC Board of Directors, Policy Council and management will ensure that we have a participative work environment that fosters teamwork, mutual respect, dedication and opportunities for personal growth and development for all employees.
Current Board of Directors:
CATEGORY I — PUBLIC SECTOR
Jason Keenum
Monica B. Roberson
Jessica McNeel
Myrtis H. Austin, PhD
CATEGORY II — PRIVATE SECTOR
Dr. Bon Donald
Joseph G. Barlow
Thomas M. Jones, Jr.
Daryl Brown
CATEGORY III — POOR SECTOR
Marvin Pickett, Sr.
Gloria Cannon
Anita Logan
Contact information
Jackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc.
Physical Address: 5343 Jefferson Street, Moss Point MS, 39563
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8723, Moss Point MS, 39562
Phone: 228-769-3292
Fax: 228-769-3264
E-mail:
webq@jccac.com
For directions, click on the red star.
