About Us

BROC - Community Action in Southwestern Vermont's history spans 45 years. The why of our existence has not changed for over four decades. We exist to give people a chance: to allow the disadvantaged members of our communities to develop and use their capacities and abilities so they can share in the promise of this nation. The how of BROC's existence goes back to 1964, when a notion called "community action" emerged from President Kennedy's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime.

Above: Bennington Office Left: Rutland Office

President Kennedy was assassinated before efforts aimed at reducing poverty could be initiated, but President Johnson took up the challenge. He declared a national "War on Poverty" and named Peace Corps director Sergeant Shriver to head the planning effort. The President issued a "White House Message on Poverty to the Congress of the United States", proposing the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and calling for "total victory" in America's war on poverty.

In May of 1965, Vermont became the first state in the union to have multi-county organizations driving a war on poverty in every town.

Today, BROC works to change conditions that either cause poverty or stand in the way of its elimination. Community Action assists low-income Vermonters with basic needs, as well as helping them develop skills and resources for self-sufficiency through employment opportunities. Community Action works to provide comprehensive, non-bureaucratic family services. BROC offers voluntary partnerships with families based on equality, respect, and mutual learning. These partnerships build on families' strengths and successes and have as their goal: moving out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.

BROC's Board of Directors is unique in that it is a tripartite board. As defined, in the governing documents for Community Action Agencies: "in the case of a community action agency or non-profit organization, each board will be constituted so as to assure that (A) one-third of the members of the board are elected public officials, currently holding office, or their representatives, except that if the number of elected officials reasonably available and willing to serve is less that one-third of the membership of the board, membership on the board of appointive public officials may be counted in meeting such one-third requirement; (B) at least one-third of the members are persons chosen in accordance with democratic selection procedures adequate to assure that they are representative of the poor in the area served; and (C) the remainder of the members are officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community."

Linda G. Rooker - Executive Director
Email: lrooker175@aol.com