Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. (the Agency) was established in 1965 as part of the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Department under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Agency later became a City-County agency through a joint resolution of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners and the Macon City Council.
In 1985, the Agency was incorporated as a private, nonprofit organization. Today, Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. One-third of the Board consists of elected public officials (or their representatives). At least one-third represents low-income individuals served by the Agency and is selected through a democratic process. The remaining members represent business, industry, education, religious organizations, social services, and other community groups with an interest in the Agency’s mission.
Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. is committed to reducing poverty by providing collaborative comprehensive services and resources that empower economically disadvantaged families to achieve self-sufficiency.
We envision a society of empowered families who are self-sufficient and own a stake in their community.
The purpose of the Agency is to break the cycle of poverty by coordinating available resources, in a structured manner, to improve economic welfare and other causes of poverty in the Macon-Bibb County area.
It is further the purpose and mission of the agency to identify barriers to individual and family self-sufficiency and focus all available resources toward an elimination of these barriers; thereby, enabling low-income individuals to obtain the skills, knowledge and motivation to extricate themselves from their poverty condition.
Agency Motto: Helping People, Changing Lives, Building Families
CONDUCT a periodic needs assessment to identify those issues which impact an individuals ability to break the cycle of poverty.
CARRY OUT a planning process which focuses program strategies in promoting self-sufficiency among lowโincome people.
PROVIDE SERVICES which will increase the opportunities for low-income people to help themselves without fostering dependency.
SUPPORT and encourage self help groups and other cooperative efforts among low-income people.
ADVOCATE when appropriate, on behalf of low income individuals.