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NCO Celebrates 50 Years of Community Action!

In half a century North Coast Opportunities (NCO) has integrated programs and services in Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO is one of a thousand community action agencies throughout the nation helping people achieve self-sufficiency while responding to community needs. Established in 1968 as part of President Jonson’s War on Poverty, NCO maintains the mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people. Offering a safety net of emergency assistance, childcare and development, volunteerism, food-sustainability, food security, nutrition, physical activity, leadership training and caregiver support.

As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, NCO hosted a large, family-friendly event on August 25th, 2018 at Todd Grove Park in Ukiah. Clients, community supporters, local officials, and everyone in the community was invited and welcomed to attend this free event. This large, open-air, family-style, 50th Anniversary Picnic was an opportunity for all communities served to celebrate NCO’s impact today and into the future. NCO shared a range of activities that included:

Local officials and guest speakers shared their appreciation for NCO and the positive impact the agency has made within our community.

A timeline and defining moments - guest were invited to take a stroll down memory lane. A timeline showcased 50 years of community action through programs and services, highlighting programs that included Community Wellness, Redwood Care Giver Resource Center, Rural Communities Child Care, and Volunteer Network. The timeline included stories of the people who played a pivotal role in shaping the organization and photos capturing the history of NCO.

Prize Wheels and Giveaways – Once guest made their way through the History Walk they were eligible to spin the NCO Prize Wheel featuring a range of prizes. Giveaways included gift certificates to Black Oak Coffee Roasters, Chipotle, Regal Cinemas, The Skunk Train and so much more. Other prizes included hand painted bowls courtesy of Jan Hoyman, cookbooks, flashlights from Rod Shoes, organic produce from the Mendo Lake Food Hub, NCO vinyl bags, and Ukiah Municipal pool passes. 

Collaborative Art Mural- Local artist Tim Poma lead an interactive mural painting project where all NCO supporters were invited to put their hands in the paint. Attendees were encouraged to paint on the mural leaving a visual representation of community connections and helped create a mosaic to symbolize our communities. The mural is now being displayed at the NCO office for all to enjoy.

As NCO celebrates this milestone, the agency is proud of the achievements it's made, the partnerships it has built, and the difference it has created in the lives of the people they serve. NCO looks forward to the next 50 years of accomplishments.