Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc. (NEMCSA) is a private, nonprofit Community Action Agency, part of a state and national network of Community Action Agencies. The basic service area of the agency is eleven northeast Michigan counties covering 6,300 square miles. The counties are
Alpena
Alcona
Arenac
Cheboygan
Crawford
Iosco
Montmorency
Ogemaw
Oscoda
Otsego
Presque Isle
Other counties are included in several program areas. The agency is governed by a 30 member Board of Directors. This Board, in compliance with P.A. 230, brings together equal representation of the public and private sectors and the clients who receive services. In this manner, policy and fiscal matters as well as program and service issues are reviewed by those who have the insights to provide meaningful guidance to NEMCSA.
NEMCSA brings together federal and state grant funds as well as dollars from local private and public sources. These resources are then directed into programs which aid the poor and otherwise disadvantaged throughout the age spectrum, from pre-schoolers to the elderly of northeast Michigan. The funds include targeted dollars aimed at very specific problems as well as dollars which are more flexible in nature.
In addition, the agency provides assistance to local governments and other non-profit agencies in securing funding for a range of projects which benefit communities and individuals within the NEMCSA service area.
Community Action started in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy created a new program to help communities work together to solve problems, especially juvenile crime. He encouraged local leaders, neighbors, and service providers to come together and help young people. Because this idea worked well, people began to expand it, bringing everyone from different parts of the community to help each other and lift people out of poverty. The main idea was for the whole community to work together to improve things for those struggling.
When President Lyndon B. Johnson took office in 1963, he built on Kennedy’s ideas. In 1964, during his State of the Union speech, Johnson announced a "War on Poverty." He said, “Let us carry forward the plans and programs of John F. Kennedy…not because of our sorrow…but because they are right…This administration today, here and now, declares an unconditional War on Poverty in America.”
As part of this effort, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was created. This law aimed to end poverty by providing education, training, and job opportunities for everyone in the United States. Many programs that came from this act, including Community Action Agencies like Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc. (NEMCSA), still work to help communities today.