Despair is an equal opportunity visitor. So is hope. The stories we hear confirm that most Americans are but steps away from needing the safety net that we provide.

Many of us have been in the shoes of those we now serve. We understand, we care, and we know that change requires action.

Today's EOC. We change lives.

Our Mission
To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency.

Vision
At EOC, "Helping People. Changing Lives." is more than just a catchy phrase. The words challenge us to treat all people with equality and dignity as we pursue our goal of overcoming the barriers brought about by social disadvantage and poverty. They call us to meet the challenge of helping those we serve with empathy and remind us that we are not immune to the forces of crisis that impact the lives of individuals and families.

The vision behind "Helping People. Changing Lives." compels us to consider social issues and barriers, rather than personalities. It eliminates the temptation to judge individuals in their state of immediate need, and instead focus on uncovering potential and worth. As a philosophy of living, "Helping People. Changing Lives." penetrates beyond the workplace. These few words define a commitment to the betterment of our families, neighborhoods, and communities. They present opportunities for all of us.

These simple words - "Helping People. Changing Lives." - have captured the essence, history and purpose of EOC over the past 36 years. They continue to propel us forward in our mission to serve.

Value Statement
We Value:

...our clients, who are treated with respect, dignity, and compassionate understanding.

...our employees, who are appreciated and treated with fairness.

...excellence in leadership, with high ethical standards to guide social change and innovation.

...diversity in our community that empowers low-income persons to be dynamic, thriving, and self-sufficient.

...partnerships and collaborative relationships with those who share our vision.

...advocacy for public policies that benefit our clients and community.

History
When Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the goal was to obtain equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for every American in our country. To realize this goal, nearly 900 locally-based Community Action Agencies were established throughout the nation; Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, is one of these agencies. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States.

Founded in 1965, EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development.  They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.

EOC is a private, nonprofit (501(c)3) corporation governed by a twenty-four (24) member tripartite Board of Commissioners under the auspices of the EOA of 1964.  Eight of those twenty-four members are public elected officials or their designee; eight members are from the business sector, public agencies, and community groups; the remaining eight members are elected low-income target area representatives from throughout Fresno County.

We operate on an annual budget of approximately $130 million and employ over 1,300 full- and part-time staff members.  

Board of Commissioners
Elected Representatives
Jose Antonio Ramirez - Target Area A
Juanita Veliz - Target Area B
J. Homer Leija - Target Area C
Jess Saldana - Target Area D
Pastor Rufus Fruge - Target Area E
Daniel Renteria - Target Area F
Eugene Rico - Target Area G
D. Randy Kevorkian - Target Area H
Catherine Mathis - Early Childhood Education Consultant

Community Sector Representatives
Charles Garabedian, Jr. - Malaga County Water District
Theresa Hernandez - Foster Grandparents
Tito A. Lucero - Head Start County-Wide Policy Council
Rev. Paul McCoy - NAACP
Vongsavanh Mouanoutoua - Lao Evangelical Church of Fresno
Esther Padilla - CA Transplant Donor Network
Jimi Rodgers - Association of Black Social Workers
James A. Aleru - CPA/ABV, CVA - California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley

Representatives of Public Officials
Tim Bakman - 14th Senatorial District
Dr. Lee Farley - Community Colleges
Lori R. Mayfield - Attorney at Law - Juvenile Courts
George A. Finley, Sr. - Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Marina Magdaleno - Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Peter Vang - 30th Assembly District
Amy Arambula - 31st Assembly District
Richard Keyes - Fresno Mayor's Appointment

Executive Office
Interim Executive Director
George Egawa
Assistant Executive Director
Naomi Quiring-Mizumoto
Associate Executive Directors
Dawn Cagle
Salam Nalia
Paul Mclain-Lugowski

Corporate Affairs
Corporate Affairs offers administrative support to the Agency. The Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Facilities Management staff provide services to the Agency and the public that enhance the operations of our programs.

Our Corporate Affairs team is comprised of:

Finance
The Finance Office assumes the fiscal responsibility for the Agency.  Fiscal management of one of the largest community action agencies in the country - with hundreds of millions in grant dollars flowing down to the local economy - is an extremely complex, challenging and daunting task that requires understanding, commitment and compliance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-122 and A-133.

Over the years, the Finance Office has successfully utilized its available resources in developing an Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual, and operating within its guidelines, it has managed not only to safeguard the Agency's assets but has also provided sound, fiscal advise in the achievement of the Agency's objectives. The result has been a consistent unqualified report from its auditors, no substantial write offs due to fraudulent or irregular transactions, and a healthy fund balance that insures stability in adverse and trying economic times.  

The professional and experienced staff in the Finance Office provides fiscal services in following specific areas:

• Accounts Payable: Utilizing a centralized bill paying system, all invoices, purchase orders, and other disbursement documentation are directed to the Accounts Payable office that annually processes over 15,000 checks worth approximately $40 million. 

• Treasury: In addition to normal funds management, preparing the reconciliation statements, and running the ACH processes, the treasury function of the Finance Office has successfully participated in bank's fraud prevention program.

• Payroll: A two (2) member staff, through multiple activities that include collection of employee information, program to be charged, rate of pay, authorized hours, term of employment, type of employment, and other necessary master file information, pays over $3 million a month in bi-weekly payroll to almost 1,500 employees. 

• Management Reports: A monthly MIS report is generally prepared for most programs to advise the Directors / Assistant Executive Directors of the financial status of their programs. Appropriate corrective action is taken as required to ensure that programs operate within budgeted amounts.

• Asset Management: A physical inventory of fixed assets is conducted annually and is reconciled to the fixed asset listing; any differences are investigated and corrected.  The independent auditors also review the fixed assets as part of their annual audit.

• Internal Audit: In addition to being monitored by our funding sources, the Agency is subject to an annual financial audit and review of internal controls, which is conducted by an independent accounting firm in compliance with the Single-Audit Act under OMB Circular A-133.  Our Internal Audit Office insures adherence to Agency's policies and compliance with requirements of cost allowability.

• Program Reporting: From the detail general ledger, monthly program reports are prepared and submitted to the various funding sources as required by the governing contract or grant.

• Risk Management: Finance Office receives, reviews, and recommends insurance brokerage and risk management services for the Agency.  The Risk Manager then works with us in obtaining competitive quotes for auto, liability, workers compensation and other insurance coverage.   

Human Resources
Our Human Resources staff provides a variety of services to our employees and the public. We consistently strive for a positive work environment and offer many benefits to our employees including career development services, wellness activities and rewards, annual employee recognition celebrations, employee appreciation events, and organize several events throughout the year that allow employees to come together with family and friends.

The HR staff is also responsible for policy and procedure, legal compliance, and ensures that the Agency is providing competitive salary and benefits for all employees. For information on careers at EOC, please visit our Job Listings page.

Information Technology
Our Information Technology Office strives to deliver high quality, focused, and aggressive business solutions to the Agency by offering program-centric services and cost-efficient information and communication technologies.  The in-house IT staff works with Agency programs to help deliver high quality client service, and is a partner in the pursuit of Agency goals and objectives.

• Information and Communication Systems: The IT Office plans, implements, and supports a wide variety of information and communication systems to enable Agency programs to better serve its clients. These systems include server and Web-based applications specific to individual programs and offices, and Agency-wide systems such as e-mail and the Intranet. The IT Office also hosts several Agency Web sites.

• Network Infrastructure and Administration: The IT Office provides the infrastructure to maintain communication linkages and connectivity among approximately 60 Agency locations and to the Internet.  The IT Office secures the network with several layers of hardware and software protection and manages the network and email accounts for Agency staff. 

• Support: Customer service is the key to the functions of the IT Office.  The Help Desk provides technical support for all technology related issues, from network performance to desktop hardware and software.  The IT Office is responsible for the purchase of all technology items and works with Agency programs to procure the appropriate technology.  IT operates an IT Training Center, where classes are conducted for Agency staff in office productivity and email applications.

Facilities Management
Our Facilities Management Office provides quality management services so that Executive Plaza staff, tenants, and clients can conduct business in a safe and productive working environment.

• Building Maintenance and Service Requests: Facilities Management is responsible for all maintenance, service and repairs pertaining to Executive Plaza buildings at 1900 and 1920 Mariposa Mall.  It oversees that projects, repairs and employee and tenant service requests are accomplished in a safe, complete, and timely manner.

• Building Systems and Services: Facilities Management is also responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of building systems such as HVAC, lighting, electrical, plumbing, fire sprinklers and alarms, and elevator.  In addition, Facilities Management coordinates and oversees services that may be provided by outside vendors, such as janitorial, pest control, security, and landscaping and irrigation. 

• Security and Safety: The security and safety of staff and tenants in Executive Plaza is paramount.  Facilities Management responds to fire and security alarms at Fresno Executive Plaza and ensures the proper operation of the building video surveillance system.  Staff and tenant parking are managed by Facilities Management, which administers the parking permit process and operates the electronic parking gate security/access system.  Facilities Management responds to security incident reports and works with staff and tenants to minimize exposure to security and safety hazards.   

Organization Chart
Need Content

Agency Calendar
Need Content