AEOA fights poverty

Talk about it

In recognition of National Community Action Month—a commemoration held in May to highlight the anti-poverty work of Community Action Agencies across the country— the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) will host an open house events on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 at its Duluth, Two Harbors and Virginia locations.

Light refreshments will be provided with Executive Director Harlan Tardy and program Directors available to answer questions at each location. The Two Harbor’s event will be held at Nelson Building, Norden Industrial Park, 2124 10th Street.

This year during National Community Action Month, AEOA and other Community Action Agencies will celebrate their history of partnering with other organizations to address poverty-related issues in their communities.

Since their inception in 1964, CAAs have established and maintained a variety of partnerships with other community-based organizations.

During these current difficult economic times, partnerships have been the key for CAAs to keep helping low-income individuals weather the storm.

“We have been able to expand our services for Cook, Lake and St. Louis County low-income residents by forming partnerships with various individuals and groups in our community,” Tardy said. “This has especially been the case recently during the country’s economic downturn.

All of the advocates and supporters here understand that low-income people are the ones hit hardest during a recession and we have all worked together to ensure they always have access to critical programs and services.”

Each year, Community Action Agencies help 13 million Americans escape poverty and achieve financial stability through programs such as Head Start, job training, financial planning, and housing.

The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency currently in its 45th year of service as a major provider of self-sufficiency services to low-income and disadvantaged persons throughout northeastern Minnesota.

Its service delivery area includes seven, primarily rural counties which make up the Arrowhead Region: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and greater St. Louis (excluding the city of Duluth).

For more information about the Partnership and CAAs, visit the Association’s Web site at www.communityactionpartnership.com.

Tags: two harbors, community, aeoa