Helping people, changing

lives—one person at a time.

Community Action Agency in Starkville

Applicant's Information Sheet
SERVICE FIRST. SERVICE LAST.  SERVICE ALWAYS!

Prairie opportunity works to help the neighboring communities

Chartered in 1965 as a multi-purpose Community Action Agency (CAA), Prairie Opportunity exists to serve the residents of the Golden Triangle Development District, providing services to the needs of low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled in Choctaw, Clay, Noxubee, Leake, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston Counties.


Our Weatherization Program extends our services to these additional counties as well: Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Montgomery, Yalobusha, and Leflore.


Though our primary service area is Choctaw, Clay, Noxubee, Leake, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston County, Prairie Opportunity Inc. is proud to provide services to the residents living in our combined 14-county area.

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the purpose of our community action agency

Prairie Opportunity, Inc., as a Community Action Agency (CAA) in Starkville, MS, plays a crucial role in empowering our community through comprehensive services and initiatives. Community Action Agencies are nonprofit organizations designed to address poverty and its effects on individuals and families. At Prairie Opportunity, Inc., we are committed to fostering economic stability, enhancing educational opportunities, and improving overall well-being. Join us in our mission to uplift and empower the Starkville community. Whether you're looking for assistance, want to volunteer, or seek ways to contribute, Prairie Opportunity, Inc. welcomes your involvement. Together, let's build a stronger, more resilient community. Contact us today to discover how you can be a part of positive change.

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Prairie Opportunity, Inc. Job Openings

Prairie Opportunity, Inc. Job Openings" highlights current employment opportunities at Prairie Opportunity, Inc., a member of the Community Action Partnership network. They are actively recruiting for the positions of Case Worker II and Temporary Weatherization Specialist. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Ms. Doris Gathings at the provided phone number for more details.

Prairie Opportunity, Inc. Job Openings" highlights current employment opportunities at Prairie Opportunity, Inc., a member of the Community Action Partnership network. They are actively recruiting for the positions of Case Worker II and Temporary Weatherization Specialist. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Ms. Doris Gathings at the provided phone number for more details.

Prairie opportunity , inc. is hiring for the following position : weatherization specialist i

Learn About Our Services and Agency

Prairie Opportunity Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 private non-profit organization. As a community action agency, we serve a combined 14 neighboring counties in the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District. Please contact us by calling 662-323-3397 for more information or program assistance.

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CSBG PROGRAM

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a house with a porch and a sign that says ' 88 ' on it

LIHEAP PROGRAM

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there is a lot of insulation in the attic of a house .

Weatherization Program

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what our (CSBG) PROGRAM entails

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides funds to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities. 


The CSBG Program sets to:

1) Less poverty in communities

2) Address the needs of low-income individuals, including the homeless, migrants, and the elderly.

3) Provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and/or health.


In addition, discretionary grants are available at the statewide or local level, or for associations with demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of low-income families, such as Community Action Agencies (CAAs).


With the support of CSBG funding, Prairie Opp works to achieve the following goals for low-income individuals:

  • Increased self-sufficiency
  • Improved living conditions
  • Ownership of and pride in their communities
  • Strong family and support systems
  • Working together, agencies increase their capacity to achieve results. Partnerships among supporters and providers of services play a large role in the successful implementation of CSBG grants.
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helping lives and households with our (LIHEAP) PROGRAM

LIHEAP is one of our most well-known and highly utilized programs. LIHEAP provides financial assistance to eligible households to help pay the cost of home energy bills and other energy-related services. Households may qualify for regular LIHEAP assistance and/or the Energy Crisis (Emergency) Intervention Program (ECIP) for natural gas, wood, electricity, liquid petroleum propane/butane gas, and other energy-related services.


LIHEAP helps pay the winter heating or summer cooling bills of low-income and elderly people. During extreme weather conditions, people living in poverty and the low-income elderly should not have to choose between buying fuel to heat or cool their homes and buying food for themselves and their families. Since two-thirds of the families receiving LIHEAP assistance have incomes of less than $8,000 a year, the program clearly helps the people who need help the most.

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reducing your energy costs with our pristine (WAP) program

WAP is designed to reduce energy costs for eligible clients by making their homes more energy efficient. The program focuses on assisting the elderly, disabled, and low-income families with young children. Energy efficiency education is provided for each household. The priority measures that can be applied to each home are based on an energy audit of the client’s home. Weatherization crews install the most cost-effective, energy-efficient measures, address health and safety concerns, and improve comfort and air quality.



Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. These are not expensive upgrades—the average expenditure limit is $6,500 per home—but they are effective, and energy savings pay for the upgrades within a few years. The Department of Energy documents the savings and compares them against costs so that, over the years, it can determine the efficacy of these measures.

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give back to the Prairie Community

Whether you would like to give a financial donation, an in-kind gift, or discuss other gifting opportunities (such as land, property, cars, wills, trusts, etc.), we would be honored to talk with you. You can also donate your time as a volunteer at the agency. 


If you'd like to mail us a check or money order, please do so at the address below:


PRAIRIE OPPORTUNITY INC

501 HWY 12

Starkville, MS, 39759


Sarah Jones, Finance Director

Phone: 662-323-3397

Email: sarahjones@prairieopportunity.org


Our online giving portal is currently being set up. Please check back with us if you want to give online. Thanks!

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Check out Prairie Opportunity's events

1) Prairie Opportunity Board Meeting: Third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.


2) Prairie Opportunity Staff Meetings: 8:30 a.m.


3) Prairie Opportunity Monthly Staff Meeting/Luncheon: First Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m.


4) National Community Action Agency Day: Friday, May 31st, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. will be held at 6830 Waverly Water Road, West Point, MS


5) National Weatherization Day: Friday, October 25th


6) Holiday Banquet: Saturday, November 4th, at the Travis Outlaw Community Center/Starkville Sportsplex at 5 p.m.


Please note that events, dates, times, and places are all subject to change. Please stay connected for the latest news and updates.


Reach Out Today

SEND US A MESSAGE

Have a question? We are here to help. Send us a message, and we’ll be in touch. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Prairie Opportunity, Inc. so popular?

    Prairie Opportunity, Inc. has become exceptionally popular as a beacon of positive change in Starkville, MS, largely owing to its steadfast commitment as a community action agency. As a trusted community action agency, Prairie Opportunity, Inc. is renowned for its multifaceted approach to addressing the diverse needs of our residents. Through a spectrum of impactful programs and services, this community action agency has consistently demonstrated its commitment to alleviating poverty, fostering educational opportunities, and enhancing overall community well-being. The transformative impact of Prairie Opportunity, Inc. as a community action agency is evident in its collaborative initiatives, which actively involve residents and stakeholders in creating sustainable solutions. It's not just an agency; it's a catalyst for positive change, earning widespread popularity for its unwavering commitment to uplifting the community it serves. Our community action agency is ready to help!

  • WHAT IS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY?

    Community action agencies are private or public nonprofit organizations that were created by the federal government in 1964 to combat poverty in geographically designated areas. 

  • What programs do you offer at Prairie Opportunity, Inc?

    Prairie Opportunity, Inc. extends a lifeline to the community through vital programs such as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). CSBG empowers individuals with resources for economic stability, LIHEAP provides crucial energy assistance, and WAP ensures energy-efficient homes. These programs collectively reflect our commitment to addressing diverse needs, fostering resilience, and enhancing the overall well-being of the community we serve.

  • What's the best way to contact Prairie Opportunity, Inc.?

    We at Prairie Opportunity, Inc. can be reached by phone at 888-397-5550. By email at shuvarnpatterson@prairieopportunity.org. Or by filling out the contact form on our website.

Community Action Agency

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