ABOUT US
 

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About Panhandle Community Services

Panhandle Community Services is a non-profit, community-based organization offering various programs and services to assist low-income individuals and families. Our programs and services are designed and implemented to target specific poverty-related issues to bridge the gap between poverty and self-sufficiency. As a whole, PCS provides a broad base of support for all residents living in the top twenty-six counties of the Texas Panhandle.

What is Community Action?

In August 1964, President Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act creating the nationwide Community Action Network. President Kennedy's New Frontier inspired President Johnson’s sweeping plan to improve the lives of all Americans regardless of their circumstances. Johnson pledged to fulfill Kennedy’s promise of equal opportunity by enacting several sweeping changes within the federal government.

Community Action equips low-income citizens with the tools and potential for becoming self-sufficient. The program's structure is unique—federal dollars are used locally to offer specialized programming in communities. It is a coordinated effort to address the root effects of poverty and ultimately move families and individuals to self-sufficiency.

This work is not easy, and demand is constantly shifting and changing. Over the years, the federal government has changed as well. The funding is now part of the Block Grant System, which allows for the flexibility and specialization of unique programs. Poverty is viewed as a systemic problem, and Community Action is a systems approach to resolving that problem. There are over 1,000 Community Action Agencies throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Community Action Promise

Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

The Mission of Community Action Partnership

To ensure the causes and conditions of poverty are effectively addressed and to strengthen, promote, represent, and serve the Community Action Network.

Community Action Code of Ethics 

We, as Community Action Professionals, dedicate ourselves to eliminating poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training; the opportunity for work; and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity; and with respect for cultural diversity, commit ourselves to:

Recognize that the chief function of the Community Action movement at all times is to serve the best interests of the poor, thereby serving the best interests of all people.

Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Respect the structure and responsibilities of the board of directors, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their making policy decisions, and uphold and implement policies adopted by the board of directors.

Keep the community informed about issues affecting the poor; facilitate communication by the poor with locally elected public officials and the private sector.

Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion.

Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to promote the interests of the poor.

Lead the Community Action movement with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness, recognizing that service to the poor is beyond service to oneself.

Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all our Community Action activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in the Community Action movement.

Serve in such a way that we do not realize undue personal gain from the performance of our professional duties.

Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of official duties.

Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of official duties.

Strive for professional excellence and encourage the professional development of our associates, including those seeking to become certified Community Action professionals