The organization is celebrating 60 years in operation.
GECAC is an anti-poverty agency supporting Erie County. Kimberly McCaslin is the Chief Communications Officer for GECAC. She stated that “We give people the skills, knowledge, and support they need to become self-sufficient.” That’s been the mission since 1965.
McCaslin stated that’s when “Economic money came into the city and the mayor at the time wanted the city to start a community action organization.” An “Action Committee” was formed leading to the name.
The agency’s first CEO was Benjamin Wiley. He started GECAC’s Meals on Wheels—providing hot food and check-ins at home for senior citizens.
Housing and utility assistance also became part of the outreach that continues to this day, along with a GED testing center.
McCaslin also stated “We have college prep courses; we have summer jobs for students looking to get into the workforce.”
Funded by local, state, and federal means, all services offered are free unless there’s a few dollars required for a possible senior center special program.
The senior center, located at the corner of Cranberry and West 8th Street, is one of seven under GECAC, and many of them have been open since the 1970s not only providing socialization, but hot meals and education, too.
The centers are open several days a week where people gather to eat, have computer access in the activity room (which also has books and stationery to use), and a pool table to enjoy.
Doris Philhower, a Navy veteran, is a volunteer. Philhower stated, “I joined because it gave me something other than me. I was giving something to somebody, I was hoping.”
She’s part of RSVP the Retired Senior Volunteer Program nearly 400 volunteers that help serve some of the 15,000 people per year that GECAC has been there for, for now 60 years.