Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is a private, not for profit, intergenerational
human service agency. It was incorporated in 1965, and has grown over
the years. It has an operating budget of over $10.5 million and has over
140 employees. Tioga Opportunities, Inc. serves all of Tioga County.
Tioga Opportunites, Inc. provides numerous services
to the community through the following departments:
To advance the self-sufficiency, well-being, and growth
of individuals, families, and communities through human services, education,
advocacy, and resources.
Vision:
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is a Community Action Agency
of dedicated and resourceful professionals who understand and respond
to evolving community needs and the causes of poverty. We are responsible
managers of resources and services who provide leadership and foster
partnerships to improve the quality of life in the greater Tioga County
area.
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. makes an important
and unique contribution to the human services network in Tioga County.
We have a further responsibility to ensure that all people receive
the benefits available to them to enhance their lives. We direct our
efforts towards the following goals:
Goal #1 Governance: To develop
and maintain an active, effective and informed Board of Directors
who will responsibly govern and support the activities of the
agency and promote the fulfillment of TOI’s mission.
Goal #2 Visibility: To ensure
that TOI shall be widely recognized as a premier community resource
whose name is synonymous with the provision of, or access to,
essential human services for all eligible people.
Goal #3 Programs: To provide
quality services consistent with TOI’s mission, ensuring
that community needs are assessed and met. Enhance service delivery
for current programs, and develop the resources, staff, and volunteers
to address unmet needs.
Goal #4 Partnerships: To maintain and develop
formal and informal strategic partnerships so as to optimize the
use of
private and public community services.
Goal #5 Financial Viability: To maintain broad-based
financial resources in accordance with funding requirements while
securing and responsibly managing new grants and discretionary
funding for the agency.
Goal #6 Operational Management: To demonstrate
through practice that TOI efficiently and effectively manages
programs and resources with respect to employees, volunteers,
technology, and facilities.
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. (TOI) is a
private, not for profit, multi-purpose, inter-generational human service
agency that emerged from the Kennedy/Johnson era “War on Poverty” programs
of the l960’s. Incorporated in l965, its initial funding and
operational structure was regulated at the federal level under the
Economic Opportunities Act of l964. The Reagan Administration was responsible
for replacing the federal Community Services Administration with Community
Services Block Grants (CSBG) administered by the states. Nationwide,
these block grants have resulted in a network of more than 1,100 local
agencies.
The New York State Department
of State is the officially designated state agency responsible for
the implementation of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs.
Tioga Opportunities, Inc., through the Department of State, receives
a Federal allocation and uses these funds to carry out its mission
consistent with the following national goals:
Goal 1: Low-Income
People Become More Self-sufficient
Goal 2: The
Conditions In Which Low-Income People Live Are Improved
Goal 3: Low-Income
People Own A Stake In Their Community
Goal 4: Partnerships
Among Supporters And Providers Of Services To Low-Income People
Are Achieved
Goal 5: Agencies
Increase Their Capacity To Achieve Results
Goal 6: Low-Income
People, Especially Vulnerable Populations, Achieve Their Potential
By Strengthening Family And Other Supportive Systems
Over the years, the agency has become the
major provider of human services in the county—from an operating
budget in July 1965 of $117,500, to its current operating budget in
excess of $10.5 Million. In addition to a small amount of CSBG dollars,
the remaining funds are numerous categorical (program specific) federal,
state, local, and foundation grants. Participant and community donations
also help fund our programs.
A Board of Directors
that must be at least one-third elected representatives of the low-income
community governs Tioga Opportunities, Inc. In addition to representatives
of the low-income sector, the Board must include one-third public
sector (elected officials) or their designee. The remainder is representative
of the private sector.
