Big Five Community Services

1966-2004

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 opened the doors for Community Action Programs. Passage of anti-poverty legislation in August of 1964 during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson made this possible. The Office of Economics’ Opportunity (OEO) was created by this "Act" to provide administrative direction, funding, and monitoring to Community Action Programs.

Most South and Southeastern Oklahoma Counties started their "war on poverty" individually in 1966, as did many others around the nation, because of economic and social deprivation of human beings. This movement was considered necessary because there was no agency involved in treating the cause, as opposed to the effects, of poverty. Then, as now, the individuals organizing and operating these agencies were closely attuned to the problems of the poor and needy.

In 1969, ten counties were consolidated into a single entity, Indian Nation Community Action Foundation, Inc., consisting of Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray and Pontotoc Counties. Mr. Jess Hamilton served as Executive Director.

Big Five Community Services, Inc. was subsequently formed in 1971 by combining the counties of Bryan, Carter, Coal, Love and Pontotoc. Big Five is incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma as a non-profit organization and is the largest rural CAA in the state in terms of poor population. In 1974, the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) was disbanded and the Community Services administration (CSA) was appointed to monitor and disperse funds to Community Action Programs until September of 1981.

In September of 1981, the Community Services Administration (CSA) disbanded and Community Action Program operations came under the Community Services Block Grant. In Oklahoma, the Block Grant funds are dispersed through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC). The advent of block grants meant a return of administrative control to each state, but also meant a drastic reduction in funding and the elimination of some of our programs. Despite these changes, Big Five was able to survive, perhaps because as a community action agency we are the only social program designed to modify and eliminate the causes of poverty, rather than offering a temporary solution.

Mr. Jess Teague served as the first Executive Director of Big Five with the corporate office located in Ada, Oklahoma until 1976. Mr. L. P. Wylie became the second Executive Director for Big Five with the retiring of Mr. Teague, and in May of 1976 the corporate office was moved to Durant, Oklahoma, where it is presently located at 1502 North First Street. Mr. Wiley held this position until February 1990. Betty Hyde served as Interim Executive Director from February 1990 until June 1990 at which time Guy Davis was selected as the Executive Director. Mr. Davis held this position until his death in July 1994. Upon the death of Mr. Davis, W. J. "Bill" Haddock, Jr. was selected by the Board of Directors as the new Executive Director of Big Five. Mr. Haddock had been with the agency since 1976 and was appointed to the position of JTPA Director in 1986 and has continued to carry out these duties along with those of the Executive Director.

Big Five is governed by a fifteen (15) member Board of Directors. The Board is structured to provide geographic balance and is designed to ensure representation of most all local interest i.e., local government private sector organizations, and the low income, to whom our basic commitment is directed. One-third of the Board is elected by the low income as their representatives, one-third by the private sector, and one-third by the public sector. In addition to the Governing Board, we have advisory committees and ad-hoc groups that work in some program areas in which we are involved. These persons are selected by Democratic process by members of the groups served.

Big Five has established itself as "the" self-help organization and the advocate of the low income and minority groups in the area. This has been accomplished by community outreach and intake at the grass roots level. This outreach and intake is supported on a continuing basis by neighborhood centers, which we have permanently established in the county seats of the five counties we serve. In addition, centers have been established in many of the larger communities outside county seats of government. We have made ourselves highly visible and available for assistance to the low income.

We have received the support and endorsement of local government as evidenced by the fact that we were first created as an organization by resolution of county government and have been continuously supported by local government in our day-by-day operations. Local civic groups, organizations, and individuals have also assisted our efforts over many years through contribution of time, money, and materials, which have amounted to over 20% of our total cost of operation. In many cases the space for the centers and equipment use is donated.

Field offices are located in Ada, Ardmore, Coalgate, Durant and Marietta. Other offices are located in Atoka, Pauls Valley, Sulphur, Madill, Mcalester and Tishomingo. Today, Big Five serves a 6,709 square mile area with a total population of 195,350 persons, of which 41,979 are below the poverty index, 7,923 are elderly low income and 5,106 have inadequate housing.