Trending
Some 60 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson led the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in Congress, part of his War on Poverty.
The act led to the creation of the Community Action Network of a thousand locally focused organizations to uplift the lives of those in poverty and create financial stability.
A year later, Maui Economic Opportunity was chartered and joined the Community Action Network. The beginning was a humble one, the creation of the Head Start preschool program, which today enrolls 180 three- and four-year-olds at eight sites on Maui and Moloka'i.
From that one program, MEO has grown to almost 40, spread over five distinct departments, which could be five separate nonprofit agencies. Those departments provide transportation, rental and utility assistance, business microloans, youth drug and suicide prevention and much more on Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i.
MEO programs are designed to promote self-sufficiency, while helping low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, youth and kupuna.
When the wildfires wrought devastation and heartbreak to Maui, MEO was ready to help, engaging the agency's trademark nimbleness and commitment to helping people restore their lives and hope. Current relief programs provide housing, utility, vehicle, clothing, school supply assistance, jobs and grants to small businesses.
Next year, MEO will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with assorted activities. A lot has changed in the six decades--the programs, the community, the needs--but MEO remains relevant and continues to work toward making Maui County "a better place to live" for all.
Debbie Cabebe
Maui Economic Opportunity CEO