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Safety Harbor representative outlines Pinellas Opportunity Council services, funding mix
Summary
Samantha Malay, Safety Harbor’s board representative to the Pinellas Opportunity Council, described the nonprofit’s mission, programs and funding during a presentation and answered questions about government support; POC is largely federally funded and offers case management, emergency assistance and training programs.
Samantha Malay, Safety Harbor’s appointed representative to the Pinellas Opportunity Council board, briefed the City Commission on Aug. 4 about the agency’s programs and funding and explained how local nonprofits and cities partner with the countywide community action agency.
Malay said POC’s mission is “to alleviate conditions of poverty, revitalize local communities, and promote self‑sufficiency by mobilizing resources to develop and implement programs that deliver an array of services to address various individual, family, and community needs.” Malay, who also works at Maddie Williams as a program director, told the commission the agency has served Pinellas County since 1968 and remains small-staffed but active in case management, emergency assistance, training and youth programs.
She said POC is “about 80% federally funded,” drawing on federal Community Action Agency funding established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and supplements that budget with state, county and private funding, grants and local partnerships. Malay highlighted programs including Getting Ahead — a 15‑session course for people seeking employment advancement — youth development, emergency financial help and two energy‑assistance programs: LIHEAP and EHEAP. She said EHEAP can provide up to $2,000 of emergency assistance for qualifying seniors.
Commissioners asked about city and county funding. Malay said the City of St. Petersburg and some county allocations are part of POC’s mix and that local cities occasionally provide funding or referrals to help residents access services.
Why it matters: POC is the county’s designated community action agency for anti‑poverty work and serves residents with long‑term case management, emergency aid and training that local nonprofits sometimes cannot provide alone. City staff and commissioners said they rely on POC for referrals and collaborative assistance for residents with emergency needs.
Next steps: Malay said POC is increasing fundraising and donor engagement, piloting technology to handle high call volume and planning a gala and other donor events. She also noted staff will present the proposed private stormwater grant program to Safety Harbor’s new Sustainability Advisory Board when it is seated.
