Our Beginnings
In March of 1945, one month after the world leaders (Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin) met, Community Chest of Oldham County was voted into existence from what was known at the time as the "War Committee".
We were part of a general community improvement goal list noted below as World War II was ending and better times were to come.
- Rural Electrification
- Improved Telephone Service
- Sewage Systems
- Improved Roads
- Adequate Health
- Community Chest
Our History
1940’s: On July 20, 1945, decade the agency was created and nurtured by members of the community. Public fund raising drives were started by the agency and funds were distributed.
1950’s: During this decade the agency continued the public fund raising activities so they could promote and co-ordinate the work of associations for civic, educational and philanthropic purposes.
1960’s: During this decade the agency decreased public fund raising activities. The organization activities became more closely associated with the requests of the County Judge’s office.
1970’s & 1980’s: The agency was ran from the County Judge’s office. The agency evolved more into the sole purpose of emergency assistance. Funding came primarily from local county government grants.
1990’s & 2000’s: The agency continued to focus on emergency assistance. It was removed from County Judge/Executive’s office in the early 1990’s. The agency began working with funding sources like Metro United Way, The Mahan Foundation, Mallory Taylor Foundation, Peyton Samuel Head Family Trust and others. This fund ing helps provide the daily assistance given.
Our Mission
Helping in the short-term and long-term...
To provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families who are in immediate need of food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and other basics in Oldham County. The agency also offers council to clients to help better their long-term situation by recommending alternative housing options and recommendations for employment options that many do not know. The agency focuses on short-term assistance. Community Chest is not a recurring assistance type of agency. Our goal is to help fill immediate emergency situations and provide advice for long-term restructuring relating to living arrangements and utilities. Community Chest will write checks directly to utility companies, landlords, apartments, pharmacies, etc. Clients do not receive any of the payments.
Community Chest also works with local churches and other agencies to help find money to pay for rent and utility payments which continue to grow in size as inflation increases the cost of living in many ways.
Understanding how Community Chest of Oldham County began and the mission the agency has carried on through the decades. CCOC was built upon the shoulders of those which came before us to help residents in the county with emergency needs. Many times, helping those in need requires a listening ear and leaning on relationships with other agencies in the county.
A Sense of History
Active involvement with Community Chest requires compassion and empathy for those in need. Having an understanding that others might not have all the benefits of growing up in and experiencing a “normal life” (whatever this term may mean to you) which places them in situations you would not ever find yourself… again requires compassion on the part of CCOC associates and board members.
Compassion
Community Chest is an agency which distributes close to $84,000 each year in funds donated by others. Keeping orderly books, safeguarding checks and gift cards, and
reconciling book balances to outside entities is a must skill to possess for those charged with the safekeeping of agency assets and reports.
Financial Management
Community Chest interacts with many individuals and families over the course of each year. Most every time the request for help cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. The story leading up to the request should be heard. Questions diving deeper into the situation must be asked. Time needs to be spent with each client request because many times, the help we provide goes way beyond a simple check being written to a landlord or utility com pany.