Head Start Locations: Our Head Start locations operated by Community Action Agency of OKC will be closed indefinitely to children beginning March 30, 2020. Head Start staff will provide to-go meals, including lunch and the next day’s breakfast for Head Start enrolled children. Staff also will provide weekly home-packs of activities. These items can be picked up between 11:00 am and noon Monday-Friday at the Head Start location the children attend. Be sure to watch our Facebook page for learning activities for our Head Start children to use until our locations reopen.
All CAA of OKC Community Centers will close from March 30 to April 10.
Homebuyers Workshop: The next available Homebuyers Workshops will start on June 12, 2020.
Tax Prep Services: Out of an abundance of caution to protect our staff and community, our tax prep services are postponed until a later date. Once we reopen, services will be offered 5 days a week in order to make up for the closure. The deadline for filing taxes has been extended to July 15 because of the coronavirus.
Small Business Training classes will resume Aug. 4, 2020.
CAA of OKC has provided free tax assistance since 2002 to residents of Oklahoma and Canadian counties. In 2019, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program served 1,465 families with free tax preparation and returned $2,082,339 in federal tax refunds to our clients!
CAA of OKC is offering free tax preparation for filing 2019 taxes through April 15, 2020. The service is offered at the CAA OKC Central Office, 319 SW 25th St., and at the Canadian County Community Center at 203 N. Bickford in El Reno. Both locations are open for assistance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week from 8am to 3:30pm.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jessie Thompson has been named the new Executive Director of Community Action Agency of OKC & Oklahoma/Canadian counties beginning Jan. 1, 2020. She is replacing James Sconzo, who had been Executive Director there for more than 30 years.
Jessie has been with CAA of OKC for 14 years. She started as Assistant to the Director of the Oklahoma City/County Head Start Program. From there, she served as Director of the Special Projects department, working on various HUD home programs. She was promoted to Administrative Services Director in April 2016. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in administrative leadership. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University.
CAA of OKC has worked with socially, economically and culturally disadvantaged citizens to help them achieve self-sufficiency for 50+ years.
Enrollment is open at our Free Head Start and Early Head Start locations!
The free Head Start program provides high-quality early childhood education for children ages 3-5. This program helps students develop self-confidence and strong social skills, and better prepare them for kindergarten. Early Head Start focuses on infants up to age 3. It provides child development and family support services to children and their families, and to pregnant women and their families. Click here for more information about each program, eligibility requirements and how to apply. Click here to find the Head Start/Early Head Start location that is closest to home or work, and contact information.
Low-income households spend 16% of their income on heating and cooling costs, compared to 3.5% of other households. This leaves less money for medical expenses, groceries, and other necessities.
CAA of OKC’s Weatherization program reduces heating and cooling costs, and makes homes healthier, safer, and more comfortable.
Weatherization Fast Facts:
Learn more about our Weatherization program and how we can help you and your family stay warm this winter!
October 30 is National Weatherization Day!
Aminat Olowora is an award-winning track and cross country athlete for Oklahoma City University. She also successfully completed CAA’s Matched Saving Program recently, which helped her fund a new organization. Aminat, a native of Nigeria, not only broke several records at OCU, she also has been named national champion for the 10,000 meter and holds 14 national championship records for track and cross country. Aminat is not only a national champion, she also is an entrepreneur. In 2017, she started her own foundation, which she uses to give back to her community. “With the help of the savings program, the funds were there to help me purchase inventory for my foundation. I was able to purchase a vehicle to help transport inventory, toys, shoes, car seats, and more. Through this program, I also was able to acquire more skills on how to manage my business.”
