Sara Gassenmeyer

ACE was created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of a national network of federally funded Community Action Agencies (CAA’s) to administer various programs on the community level that assist people of low-income out-of-poverty conditions. Incorporated in 1965, ACE began with a budget of $430,000 as a grantee for the federal Head Start Program maintaining fiscal and administrative responsibility for services in Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties. ACE is a Community Action Agency authorized to administer funds received from federal, state, local, or private funding entities to assess, design, operate, finance, and oversee anti-poverty programs. ACE is intended to promote self-sufficiency and depends heavily on volunteer work, especially from the low-income community. ACE's mission statement is to empower people with the skills needed to become self-sufficient and enhance their lives through education, training, life skills, and support services. Over the past 50 years, ACE has developed a broad range of additional programs and services that promote school readiness for children and families and helps families struggling with the effects of poverty. These programs range from employment, education, income management, transportation, workforce initiatives, veterans support services, weatherization, crisis and emergency food assistance, to parenting support, childcare, and early learning programs. ACE is here to Help People Prosper!