Community Action Resource and Development, Inc. (CARD) is a non-profit corporation whose primary purpose is to administer anti-poverty programs in northeastern Oklahoma.  Our primary service areas are Nowata, Mayes, Rogers, Wagoner, Washington, and portions of Tulsa counties.   

CARD is governed by a Board of Directors representing private, public, and low-income sectors of our communities. Funding is provided through various state, federal and private sources and is designated by the State of Oklahoma as a Community Action Agency as outlined in the Community Service Block Grant Act.  CARD has provided social services since 1966.

Community Action began in 1964 with the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act. This act was based on the premise that the federal government did not have all of the answers to social issues of local communities.  Local citizens were more aware of their own poverty-related problems and knew how to solve them on the local level.  Community Action agencies were initiated to join the local citizens together as an organization to deal not only with the effects of poverty in their communities, but more importantly with the causes of poverty.

Our Mission

CARD’s mission is to bring together resources to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income people to attain the skills, education, and opportunities to become self-sufficient.