A Seat At The Table: Why Community Action’s Voice Matters
One of the highlights of this year’s OACAA Summer Conference was welcoming both major candidates for Governor of Ohio, Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy, to speak with Ohio’s Community Action Network.
As a nonpartisan organization, OACAA does not endorse candidates or political parties. We do, however, believe deeply in the importance of educating policymakers about Community Action and ensuring they understand the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio’s families.
Advocacy has always been a core part of Community Action.
Every day, Community Action Agencies work alongside families striving to build more stable and prosperous lives. Whether helping a senior remain safely in their home, assisting a family with energy bills, supporting a job seeker, helping a child prepare for school, or connecting someone to housing or transportation, our agencies witness firsthand how public policy affects people’s lives. That perspective is invaluable, and it deserves to be heard by those seeking to lead our state.
That is why it was such an honor to have both gubernatorial candidates accept our invitation to address the Community Action Network. Their participation was not simply recognition of OACAA as an association. It was recognition of the thousands of Community Action professionals serving Ohio every day, the 48 agencies working in all 88 counties, and the trust our Network has earned through more than six decades of service to Ohio communities.
The strength of Community Action is that we bring practical experience to policy conversations. We speak from experience, not theories. We see what works and we understand the barriers families face. We also know the opportunities that can help people achieve greater stability and economic mobility.
That is why it is important for elected officials, and those seeking to lead our state, to hear directly from Community Action leaders.
Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to hear each candidate discuss their vision for Ohio, answer questions from our members, and engage in thoughtful conversations with Community Action leaders about issues affecting our communities. While candidates may offer different approaches to addressing Ohio’s challenges, our role remains the same: ensuring they understand the realities facing families and the important role Community Action Agencies play in strengthening communities across our state.
We are grateful to both Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy for taking the time to engage with our Network. Their willingness to participate reflects the respect Community Action has earned as a trusted voice on issues affecting Ohio families.
Advocacy is not limited to the Statehouse or election season. It happens every time a Community Action professional shares the impact of a program, identifies a barrier affecting families, or offers practical solutions drawn from serving their community.
As we continue building OACAA’s new Policy & Advocacy Agenda, we will remain committed to elevating the voices of our members and ensuring Community Action continues to have a strong, respected voice in shaping Ohio’s future.
Thank you to every agency leader, staff member, and board member whose daily work made this moment possible. The reputation of Ohio’s Community Action Network is built one family, one program, and one community at a time, and it is that reputation that brings leaders to our table.