Our Stories

The cure for racism is ACTION. Fresno EOC is a Community Action Agency (CAA) and was born from the Civil Rights Movement. The Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were passed by Congress and CAAs were formed across the nation. The Economic Opportunity Act stated in part: “It is, therefore, the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation

Fresno EOC is a Community Action Agency (CAA) and was born from the Civil Rights Movement. As a Community Action Agency, Fresno EOC stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAIP) community and we condemn and denounce all expressions of hate, violence, xenophobia, and racism. As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the largest health crisis in our lifetimes, as well as an unprecedented rise of misinformation and bias that erupted with

If any part of our community is not safe, no one is safe. On Saturday, May 14, 2022, an individual from Conklin, NY, drove 200 miles to Buffalo, NY, and opened fire in a supermarket, killing ten people and injuring three others. The attack was live-streamed on media platforms, and the person who perpetrated this act wrote a 180-page document explaining his actions and intent. In this document, he states that the purpose of this

From a turkey sandwich to a 9-course meal, Fresno EOC Food Services serves up tasty menus for individuals, organizations, and large events across the Central Valley. The kitchen is staffed by a talented and hardworking team of 50 people, and they are all led by Chef Crystal Vazquez. Vazquez, a Fresno native, has been involved in the Fresno food industry for nearly 20 years, including employment at restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and catering companies. She

May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. Prevention is critical as pregnancy and parenthood can result in added social, health, and financial costs to teen parents and their families. According to the latest statistics from the state health department, there are about 24 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19 in Fresno County each year. To address those concerns, Fresno EOC has a program designed to help reduce pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among youth. The California Personal

Now is your chance to find medical and dental services for your family, with a big dose of fun! Fresno EOC Health Services is hosting its 8th Annual Clinic Day for the community at its Calaveras Street location in downtown Fresno on Friday, May 13.  Clinic Day happens in May, because it is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. While everyone is invited, the primary goal is to reach teen parents and provide them with resources and information concerning their

Fresno EOC is about to launch an emergency program to help families pay overdue water bills. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is designated for households that are in danger of losing or have already lost their water services. But it’s temporary, so there is a limited window of time for people to apply.   The application period for LIHWAP will open in June 2022 and benefits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served

Antonio Aguilar, Organizational Culture Manager Fresno EOC is one of the largest non-profit agencies in the Central Valley, with more than 35 programs and 1,000 employees on a mission to fight poverty. The agency shares news about its programs and leadership through multiple outlets, including this newsletter and the Poverty Fighter Podcast.   The podcast is produced and hosted by the Director of Equity and Impact, Kevin Williams, and Organizational Culture Manager, Antonio Aguilar. They

Fresno EOC School of Unlimited Learning (SOUL) is opening its doors to parents and returning students on April 26 for a Spring Open House. The event allows parents to meet with administrators and teachers, hear about their student’s progress, and explore the grounds of the charter high school in downtown Fresno.SOUL Principal Susan Lopez says, “Many of our students have walked challenging paths, and we are here to support them. SOUL is an excellent option

Earth Day is every day at Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps (LCC). The Recycling Program is one branch of the LCC that recruits corpsmembers year-round to teach them job skills and how to be a steward of our planet. The Recycling Program collects California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers, including aluminum cans, plastic, and glass bottles. They also recover electronic waste, tires, and mattresses. These items are recycled to reduce toxic waste, protecting our water

Jamelia Hinds became a U.S. Citizen in February, more than 20 years after being trafficked to the Central Valley as a child in the late 1990s from the Caribbean country of Belize. She attended her naturalization ceremony in Fresno, just one week before her 34th birthday. Jamelia says, “I’ve been waiting on my citizenship since I was 12 years old because I was brought here with the promise of being adopted and becoming a citizen

Black infants in Fresno County are twice as likely to die as white infants before they reach their first birthday. Statistics from the Fresno County Health Department show, the infant mortality rate in 2019 was at 10.3 for Black infants, compared to 5.8 for white infants. Although the infant mortality rate has declined nationally and locally, disparities among racial lines persist. Fresno is part of a national initiative designed to change those statistics.   The Best Babies Zone