LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Oswego
County Opportunities on March 3, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of Oswego County Opportunities on Thursday,
March 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) is a private, nonprofit
human service agency which serves 20,000 people each year through more
than 50 programs providing assistance for the homeless, educational
services, health care for the whole family, independence for the disa-
bled, safety for the abused, support for youth, and transportation for
all, as well as meals for the elderly, disabled and youth; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, the Congress of the United States passed the Econom-
ic Opportunity Act for the purpose of "eliminating the paradox of pover-
ty in the midst of plenty"; the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) was
given the task of developing and carrying out a national strategy to end
poverty by working with and through main public and private institutions
at the national, state, and local levels; as a result, Community Action
Agencies were being formed across the Nation as a local system to
address and end poverty in local communities; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1965, Resolution No. 46 was passed by the County
Board of Supervisors (now known as the Oswego County Legislature), under
the leadership of Supervisor Eugene Saloga; the resolution permitted the
establishment of a local agency to receive OEO monies and operate local
anti-poverty programs; and
WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, concerned county officials and individ-
uals set about to establish an agency to fulfill the goals of the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and the County Legislators Resolution
of 1965; in March of 1966, Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) was char-
tered; and
WHEREAS, On March 15, 1966, OCO was incorporated as a not-for-profit
human services agency, as a result of President Lyndon Johnson's Econom-
ic Opportunity Program; and
WHEREAS, Members of the original Board of Directors included Herbert
VanSchaack, Arthur J. Clawson, Frances T. Sullivan, W. Harlow Stratton,
Marguerite B. Lincoln, and Francis R. Mirabito, all of whom were signees
of the original charter; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, with the organizational goal accomplished,
interest waned; however, during this stage of inactivity for OCO, a new
agency, working primarily with migrant farm laborers, known as Oswego
County Interfaith Ministry of Concern, Inc. became chartered; they
received OEO Migrant (Title III-B) Funds for the first time in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Interfaith Ministry soon realized the need for a year-round
working agency that it could use as its base for summer migrant work,
and thus, set out to reorganize OCO; and
WHEREAS, The reorganization plan was developed at a special OCO Corpo-
ration Meeting on December 14, 1970; a new Board of Directors was chosen
to serve until the annual meeting in April of 1971, when a full slate of
Directors would be elected; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1970, a group of original OCO Board Members
began to seek grants to provide poverty-related services in the County;

six months later, OCO received its first program grant from OEO migrant
funds for $17,000, and in August 1971, the agency received a grant from
the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for $60,000, to estab-
lish an out of hospital Family Planning Center; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, OCO held its first Annual Meeting and published its
first Annual Report; the number of dedicated employees at OCO has grown
considerably over the years; in 1974, there were 20 employees working
for OCO; and
WHEREAS, Today, OCO ranks among the top six largest private employers
in Oswego County with over 580 employees and 2,000 volunteers; this
vital agency is funded primarily by both Federal and State dollars along
with fee-for-service revenues and local support; more than 90 cents of
every dollar goes directly to program services; and
WHEREAS, Currently, under the luminous leadership of Executive Direc-
tor Diane Cooper-Currier, OCO consists of four departments: Health and
Nutrition, Community Services, Residential Services and Corporate
(Administrative) Services; what began as a venture in faith, now is a
strong, vibrant agency which actively and effectively strives to build
partnerships which improve the quality of life and create successful
communities; and
WHEREAS, For the last 50 years, OCO sought to renew the life of its
own community hand in hand with those who were the tired, the poor, the
discouraged and the disadvantaged; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Oswego County Opportunities on March
3, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Diane Cooper-Currier, Executive Director, Oswego County
Opportunities.