The Economic Opportunity Act, 1964

January 8, 1964- President Lyndon Johnson in his first State of the Union address announces to congress, “Here and now I declare an unconditional war on poverty in America; I warned that it will not be a short or easy struggle, but that it is a war we cannot afford to lose.”

March 16, 1964- President Johnson approved the bill and sent it to congress. With the approval of this bill, Johnson acknowledged, “that poverty is a domestic enemy which threatens the strength of our nation and the welfare of our people.” President Johnson was calling for a war, one that would strike at the causes and not just the consequences of poverty, one that would treat not just poor individuals but poor communities as well.

FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

“Although the economic well-being and prosperity of the United States have progressed to a level surpassing any achieved in world history, and although these benefits are widely shared throughout the Nation, poverty continues to be the lot of a substantial number of our people. The United States can achieve its full economic and social potential as a nation only if every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his capabilities and to participate in the workings of our society. It is, therefore, the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity. It is the purpose of this Act to strengthen, supplement, and coordinate efforts in furtherance of that policy.”

Source: United States Statutes at Large, volume 78. Washington D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1965. 508-516.

TIMELINE

Events in BCO History

May 4, 1965- The Economic Opportunities Commission was adopted by the Bristol City Counsel. The first board members were: Superintendent of Schools, Carl A Magnuson; Director of Welfare, Joseph Parulski; Director of Health, Dr. Elizabeth Cornfield; Executive Director of Housing Authority, Daniel J. Heffernman; Representative of Bristol Labor Council, Harry Fiorillo, Sir; Councilman Thomas P. Thomas; Dr. Maurice Mack; Captain Jesse Fisher, Salvation Army; Graham Northan, Bristol Boys’ Club; Andrew Grande.

The purpose was to provide programs and procedures to develop the skills and talents of residents of Bristol for the purpose of developing to the fullest possible extent the ability of the individual to function as a participating and contributing member of the community; to mobilize resources of the community, both public and private, in an effort to eliminate conditions of poverty and the cause thereof; to develop programs of sufficient scope and size to enable the community to make significant progress toward the end; to assure the participation of less favored individuals in the program; and to institute, and administer and coordinate community action programs designed to eliminate the cause and conditions of poverty through public or private nonprofit agencies or a combination of these.

1968-1969 – Therese Massicotte, Supervisor of Bristol office.

1969-1970 – Paul Provost, Supervisor of Bristol office.

1970-1972 - Celeste Famiglietti Coppola, Executive Director of Bristol Office.

October 5, 1971 - “The Community Commissions on Economic Opportunity” ordinance was amended changing the name to “Bristol Community Organization.” Board membership was changed to 21; 7 members appointed by Mayor; 7 members representing the poor in  accordance with procedures set by BCO itself; 7 members appointed by the Board itself.

February 23, 1972 - Alfred L. Messier was hired as Manpower Coordinator; Assistant Director.

June 6, 1972 - Alfred L. Messier became Executive Director of BCO.

November 1, 1972– BCO incorporation date as a 501 (C) 3, private, non- profit organization.

March 7, 1973- Thomas H Morrow, current Executive Director, was hired as Neighborhood services Coordinator.

January 28, 1974 -BCO, Salvation Army and Wheeler Affiliates began elderly nutrition programs at the Salvation Army Citadel with grants from the Department of Community Affairs.

May 30, 1974 - BCO opened satellite offices in Bonnie Acres and John F. Kenney Senior Housing areas.

June 26, 1974 - BCO ordered its first transportation van.

July 15, 1976 - The BHA voted to approve BCO’s request to establish a Neighborhood Service Center at Cambridge Park, Davis Drive, a Family Housing Complex. BCO operated the field office at 205 Davis Drive until October, 1987.

April 1982 - Thomas H. Morrow, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, left BCO to become Welfare Director for the City of Bristol.

April 13, 1984 -BCO becomes sponsor of the Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP).

September 1987- The Bristol Senior Center moved from 98 Summer Street to Bristol Senior/ Community Center on Stafford Avenue.

October 1987 -BCO moves to 98 Summer Street consolidating all its field offices.

July 7, 1988 - Alfred L. Messier passed away after a long illness.

September 1988 - Thomas H. Morrow is appointed Executive Director at BCO.

June 9, 1989 – The BCO Building at 98 Summer Street is dedicated as the Alfred L. Messier Building.

April 1991 – BCO coordinates the first AIDS Tack Force in Bristol.

October 2, 1992 – BCO hosts first annual auction at Carousel Museum.

January 1993 - BCO begins to sponsor free tax preparation service for Working Poor.

September 1994 – BCO opens first Head Start Program classrooms located at Bristol Senior/ Community Center.

July 1998 – BCO/ Bristol Head Start opens 2 classrooms on Lake Avenue.

July 1999 – The two BCO/ Bristol Head Start classrooms located at the Beals Center move to West Street to share a new site with the Bristol Preschool Child Care Center.

November 2000 – BCO moves from Messier Building to the Mall at Bristol Centre.

July 2002 – Head Start West Street Classes move to Asbury Methodist Church in Forestville

May 1, 2004 - BCO relocated and purchased the building at 55 South Street. Two Head Start classes also relocated to this site from Asbury Methodist Church. Two classes still remain at 254 Lake Avenue site.

September 24, 2007 - BCO purchased the 254 Lake Ave building.

February 2008 - BCO opened up its BCO Family Kitchen to prepare its own meals for the Head Start children.