ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM INC OF CHEMUNG COUNTY

The Economic Opportunity Program, Inc. (EOP) was established in 1965 as the legislatively designated Community Action Agency to define and design programs that best meet the needs of low-income people in Chemung and Schuyler counties in the Southern Tier of New York State. Annually, more than 5,000 children, youth, and families benefit in some way from the agency’s services.

Current programming at EOP includes:

The Anti-Displacement Program, which offers guidance and assistance to income-eligible Elmira City residents. Community resources include financial and budgeting education, housing and rental assistance, utility assistance, and linkages to other community services.

Birth to Five School Readiness Program (Early Head Start and Head Start), which builds real and lasting foundations that support children and families toward gaining interdependence. Social, physical, cognitive, and language development provide positive and healthy experiences for birth-5 year olds. Medical, dental, and mental health services are provided, along with nutri¬tious snacks and meals.

The Center of Excellence Program (a.k.a. New Day), which is a licensed School-Aged Child Care program operating in two area schools and the Ernie Davis Family Center where children ages 5-12 receive homework assistance, academic enhancement opportunities, prevention education, and cultural enrichment, plus recreation and a snack. COE also provides a summer program for ages 4-12.

Community Food for Jobs Program (CFJP), which offers a 10-week culinary arts training program to facilitate the creation of additional employment opportunities in our community by providing job training, education, and placement.

The CFJP Bistro, which provides on-the-job training to CFJP participants and provides a micro-economic project. The CFJP Bistro is open to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 9am to 3pm and on Fridays from 9am to 6pm. The CFJP Bistro also caters on-site and off-site and is located in the Ernie Davis Community Center.

Emerging Food Care Program, which provides nutrition education and food support through: the Snack Pack program for toddlers and preschoolers to ensure nutrition needs are met; daily nutritious snacks for PreK through age 12, and daily dinners and a snack for ages 13 through high school. Additionally, EOP runs a Summer Feeding Program - free meals twice daily for youth and their families. During and post COVID-19, EOP has provided nutrition assistance through its free curbside meal distribution program and special events.

Energy Services Bureau, which weatherizes income-eligible homes in Chemung & Schuyler Counties. Services include attic/sidewall insulation, air sealing and draft reduction measures, heating system efficiency tests/service and replacement. Health & safety measures include carbon monoxide testing, gas leak detection, and installation of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

Ernie Davis Community Center, which serves Elmira City School District and Chemung County youth ages 13-18 with an afterschool program that allows them to engage in culturally enriching and physical/social/educational experiential learning activities.

Family Support Services, which provides advocacy and support services for individuals aged 21 and under with disabilities, including recreational outlets. Family Support also provides the Parent Run Autism Playgroup, providing quality choice-based community activities for the child with ASD and the parent. This program promotes and encourages not only community integration and socialization skills with the enrolled participants, but funding for choice-based activities which include swimming, gym play, bowling, train rides, trips to museums, and more.

Libertad Veteran and Family Support Program, which provides permanent supportive housing to displaced Veterans and their families in Elmira’s Libertad housing community. Services include secure community-based housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, counseling, and empowerment.

Literacy Volunteers of Chemung & Schuyler Counties, an Accredited Affiliate of Literacy New York and a volunteer based program, which serves the adult population struggling with basic literacy skills and English as a Second Language.