Community Action Organization of WNY releases 2020 community impact report

Report covers agency’s 2020 programs: Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020

The Community Action Organization of WNY (CAO) has published its 2020 community impact report, which provides data on programming efforts during the year covering Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020. CAO maintained its programming during this period and offered additional initiatives to meet the community’s immediate needs.

Outgoing President and CEO L. Nathan Hare addressed the COVID-19 pandemic in the report and said he believes the organization quickly pivoted to emergency relief efforts in the pandemic’s early stages.

“This year’s report tells a story of how our community came together during a global pandemic and the positive impact CAO continues to have in the region,” Hare said. “We wanted to give the public a picture of who we are, who we serve, and the impact we are making in the community by sharing photos and stories behind the data. As one of the most diverse service organizations from the top down, our work truly matters.”

CAO assesses the needs of the community through a comprehensive analysis each year. In the pandemic's beginning phase, CAO conducted a separate study to understand the evolving needs of low-income populations during COVID-19. It formed an internal COVID-19 task force to serve families in immediate need and compiled information for communities to stay safe by creating an online portal where essential information was available.

“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated why the highly flexible, community-driven model of the nationwide Community Services Block Grant program is so critical,” Hare said.

CAO’s 2020 community impact report is available to view at https://caowny.org/2020-community-impact/.

The Community Action Organization of WNY was incorporated in 1965 and operates antipoverty programs in Erie and Niagara counties. Annually, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals in Western New York through various programs and services. Visit caowny.org for more information.