Gulf Coast Community Action Agency-Headstart, 13523 Dedeaux Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503, US

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 Chairman 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.