Mission Statement: 
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency
is dedicated to empowering people
to make positive change
by cooridinating and
administering resources.
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency
strives to be the voice
in our communities
and in our governments
for those most in need.
What the mission means to us…(from our staff)
- We try to give (people) hope that things can change for them too.
- The difference between the needy having services that change their lives permanently or remaining entrenched in need.
- I am empowered to speak for children and families…I have a responsibility to speak up in my community and also in my government.
- HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES
- To make life easier and more significant for ALL members of our community
- Empowerment says it all! If you buy someone a fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach them to fish, you feed them for life...
- I have an opportunity to make a difference for someone…the one key to making positive change is hope.
Vision Statement
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency wants to be recognized in the community as a strong and united agency, a respected leader and partner in the community dedicated to empowering people to improve the quality of their lives.
Values
WE CARE shared principles...
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency
Ethical – doing what is right - Committed to the Community Action Code of Ethics
Customer centered – we succeed when they succeed
Accountable – taking personal responsibility
Respect – treating people with dignity
Excellence – insisting on quality.
In July of 1965, West Central Missouri Rural Development Corporation was designated by the Office of Economic Opportunity as a Community Action Agency (CAA) pursuant to enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
In 1990, the decision was made by the Board of Directors to change the agency’s name from West Central Missouri Rural Development Corporation to include the Community Action designation to more closely identify with the state and national Community Action image and goals. Today, the Agency is known as West Central Missouri Community Action Agency.
The West Central Missouri Community Action Agency Board of Directors is comprised of 27 members, three from each of the nine counties served by the agency.
- One-third of the board members are public officials, consisting of the chief elected officials or their representatives.
- One-third of the board members are low-income representatives.
- The remaining one-third of the board members are officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious groups, private education, significant minority groups, and other private groups and interests in the community.
WCMCAA’s success begins and ends with our employees. Under the direction of the Board of Director's, the President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for hiring and assigning staff to conduct the daily operations of the agency. In order to provide the most effective and efficient services in the communities we serve, WCMCAA employs over 400 staff within the seven unit organizational structure. These seven units operate over two dozen individual programs in a nine to sixteen county service area.
It is impossible to count the number of lives that have been touched by Community Action. Over the years, WCMCAA has administered a host of programs / services and partnered with West Central Missouri organizations and leaders to improve our communities. Today, WCMCAA offers services in the areas of: Community Development, Community Empowerment, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Assistance, Employment and Training, Energy Assistance, Energy Conservation, Family Support, Family Self-Sufficiency, Health Services, Home ownership, Housing Assistance, Housing / Debt Counseling, Nutrition, and Weatherization.
Check out our photo and news paper clipping archives.
What has Community Action meant to you?
We would love to hear how your life has been touched by Community Action. What positive changes have you, your family or your community made with the support of Community Action? Please send your stories or comments to us.
