Supporters, partner agencies and members of the community gathered at the Heritage Center Thursday evening to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County. Founded in 1965, the EOC helps low-income individuals and families through programs such as Head Start, Family Self-Sufficiency, Emergency Assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and Health Services.
“It hasn’t been easy,” said EOC Executive Director Leonard Edward welcoming attendees and reflecting on the organization’s first 50 years. “But we’re still here and we’re strong.”
“The impact this organization has had on the people of this county, and in some cases surrounding counties, is really amazing,” said Joseph Dousi, new EOC board member and SVP at Seacoast National Bank, which sponsored the event.
In honor of the milestone anniversary, County Commission Chairman Wesley Davis read the proclamation, previously presented at the County Commission meeting, declaring the week of Oct. 26 as Community Action Week.
Denny Hart, Principal of the Alternative Center for Education and himself a Head Start graduate, said he was fortunate to have parents who recognized the value of education; pointing out his father, Victor Hart, Sr., who was on the original 1965 EOC board.
“You have to have that partnership between the schools and the families,” said Hart, stressing the importance of early childhood intervention so that children in their formative years can develop socialization and cognitive skills. “The EOC is enabling students to have a good solid foundation early, that other teachers can build upon to prepare them for the challenges they will face.”
Head Start Director Natalie Sanders, gave a brief history of President Lyndon Johnson’s “war on poverty,” which centered around four pieces of legislation: The Social Security Amendments of 1965, which created Medicare and Medicaid; the Food Stamp Act of 1964; the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which established a number of initiatives, including Head Start; and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which established the Title 1 program.
The evening also included performances by talented cellist Lonnie Ingram Jr., and members of the musically gifted Edden family. Family matriarch Marlene Edden spoke passionately about being one of the 14,000 people who have benefitted locally from EOC programs. “I love school; I love education,” said Edden, who received her GED through the EOC’s United Way partnership.
Virginia Jackson and Linda McConkey, EOC board chair and vice-chair respectively, presided over the awards presentations, first honoring Beverly Whiteley in absentia for five years of dedicated board service. Michael Kint, United Way of IRC CEO accepted an award on behalf of the United Way, and Cynthia Falardeau, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of IRC, accepted an award on behalf of Hope Woodhouse for her commitment to early childhood education.
“I think the EOC is a wonderful collaborative partner,” said Falardeau. “They have the resources to connect these families to the school district, the Pre-K program and the Education Foundation. The readiness rates of this Head Start are some of the highest in the country.”
