History

The 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, or EOA, was enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson and US Congress. This Act started the War on Poverty. From there, the Office of Economic Opportunity was established. The OEO reported directly to the president as part of the executive branch.

One thousand six hundred community action organizations opened their doors to begin the long battle against an unfair socio-economic system within the following two years. Of those, about 900 are left fighting. Sadly, although we’ve made huge strides, poverty is still pervasive in our country.

The State of New York used these new laws and established its own organizations to serve and assist its low-income population with their unmet needs. In May of 1965, the Community Action Organization of Erie County, or CAO, came into being to serve that purpose within Erie County. Over the years, CAO has been recognized as a vital operation by the Community Action Movement. 

We’ve been leaders on a national level throughout the years, and we can thank the agency's three primary leaders. First, the late Ambrose Lane helped establish the CAO. Julian B. Dargan took charge in 1970 and steered us in the right direction all the way up to 2001, at which point L. Nathan Hare became the President and CEO. In 2017, he officially changed the agency’s name to Community Action Organization of Western New York, Inc.

Thomas Kim was appointed as President and CEO soon after Mr. Hare’s retirement in early 2021, and served in that role for three years. With the departure of Mr. Kim, the Board of Directors immediately appointed Rev. Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr., the current Chief Operations & Outreach Officer, as the Interim President & CEO. Rev. Wingo will fulfill this position while the organization undergoes the search for a new President & CEO, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition for the organization.