The History of The Promise

In the mid-1960s, the United States confronted the deep-seated challenges of poverty. President Lyndon B. Johnson, with strong advocacy from Civil Rights leaders, launched the "War on Poverty". The cornerstone of this effort was the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, a landmark law designed to address the root causes of poverty, not just its symptoms.   

Instead of a top-down federal program, CAAs were established as locally controlled, private non-profit organizations. This grassroots model was founded on the principle of "helping people help themselves and each other," empowering local leaders and residents to forge their own pathways out of poverty.   

Answering the Call in the Waccamaw Region

As this powerful national movement took shape, leaders in South Carolina's Waccamaw region stepped forward to answer the call. The Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council was officially chartered on December 6, 1965, placing our origins at the very beginning of the Community Action movement. For nearly six decades, we have served as the official, federally recognized Community Action Agency for our tri-county region. As we approach our 60th anniversary, we reflect on a history of building trust and changing lives, having served over half a million residents in our first 60 years. WEOC stands today as a testament to the enduring power of a local institution born from a national promise of hope and opportunity for all.