People...all people, black or white, rich or poor...may be unequally responsible for what has happened to them in the past, but all are equally responsible for what they do next. --Charles Murray, from his 1984 book Losing Ground

Helping People Help Themselves

On September 27, 1965, Southwest Georgia Community Action Council (CAC), Inc was chartered, making the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 a reality in Southwest Georgia by helping socially and economically disadvantaged persons help themselves through a variety of programs.

Starting as a group of concerned Colquitt County citizens acting as an interagency council, Dr. Adeline Barber was asked to investigate the possibilities of accessing President Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" programs being made available to communities.

Eventually Commander Robert J. Clinton, a retired naval officer, agreed to chair the group and seek funding from the newly created Office of Economic Opportunity.

CAC now employs more than 600 permanent employees, approximately 50 temporary employees, and serves 18 counties through an annual budget in excess of $25 million.

For 40 years, Southwest Georgia Community Action Council has truly been an organization the citizens of Southwest Georgia can all be thankful for!