About GHCAA

GHCAA focuses on assisting low-income people in their efforts to become self-sufficient. Services are provided to enable families to improve their financial, physical, mental and social level through programs designed to motivate individuals to set and reach personal goals.

GHCAA County Offices are the first source of help for families in need. Trained, responsive personnel and volunteers develop plans with families to alleviate their current crisis situation and stabilize the family.

The History of Green Hills Community Action Agency

Green Hills Community Action Agency has been giving a hand up to people seeking to break the bonds of poverty for 44 years. The original organization was incorporated on June 4, 1965. Green Hills Area Human Resources Development Corp. was formed to serve the residents of Grundy, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan counties in response to then President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The president declared war on poverty during his first State of the Union Address in 1964.

Green Hills Human Resources Development Corp. was formed to administer OEO programs. The office was in Milan. The original incorporators were Murl Barton of Green City, Dorothy Bradshaw of Milan, Currin Davis of Trenton, Konrad Heid of Princeton and Theodore Klinginsmith of Unionville.

Harrison County joined the organization in January 1967.

Human Resources Development Corp. formed in August 1965 to serve Caldwell, Daviess, Linn and Livingston counties. Its office was in Chillicothe.

The two community action agencies merged in October 1968 and in May 1969, the area office moved to Trenton. The agency’s name was changed to Green Hills Community Action Agency in the mid-1970s.

While the names of the agency and its programs have changed over the past 44 years, the purpose of the agency has not. The mission was and is to work through partnerships to make self-sufficiency a reality for individuals and families, by empowering them to achieve the knowledge, skills and motivations needed to build strong families and strong communities.

Throughout the 44-year history of Green Hills Community Action Agency, education has been at the root of many of its programs. GHCAA services train and educate area residents in skills needed to get jobs and to obtain higher-paying jobs and more stable employment; in skills to improve their living conditions through energy conservation, car maintenance, healthy habits and more; and by building self-confidence and self-esteem.

Our 2010 In Review

2010 marked the beginning of a transformation at Green Hills Community Action Agency. We took to heart that we, as an agency, must grow and be continuously flexible in order to keep pace with the ever changing face of poverty in America. Green Hills Community Action Agency must begin to engage in high-impact strategies to bring about true change within our communities. In 2010, GHCAA made it our mission to build vibrant communities.

218 unemployed individuals obtained a job; 172 participants obtained pre-employments skills, achieved their ABE/GED, and or completed their post-secondary education; and 50 employed individuals increased their income.

571 families enrolled in and received rental assistance; 23 new affordable housing units were created; and 187 housing units were preserved or rehabilitated.

324 families enrolled in energy conservation workshops; 601 families enrolled in enhanced skills workshops; 340 individuals received food assistance; 1386 individuals received emergency assistance; 434 families received $177,011 in state tax credits.

336 individuals were provided with shelter and protection from domestic violence; 134 support groups meetings were held; 5 organizations/private counselors were partnered with; 818 women and children received Shelter services; and 653 individuals received legal advocacy.

1678 adults & 552 youth accessed health services.

878 volunteers donated 8252 volunteer hours; 283 organizations were partnered with to expand resources; 32 individuals graduated from the Step Up to Leadership program; 291 low-income individuals engaged in community organizations, groups, initiatives; GHCAA worked with the United Way to establish a 2-1-1 resource in all our service counties.

80 staff members and 27 board members received professional development training, and an Agency-wide training plan was developed.