Lycoming County commissioners on Wednesday proclaimed May 25 Community Action Month and presented the proclamation to STEP Incorporated, a local community action agency that county and STEP officials said has provided services across Lycoming and Clinton counties for nearly six decades.

STEP Incorporated’s president and CEO, Rochelle Abbott, told commissioners the agency served more than 19,000 individuals in 2024 and marked the 20th anniversary of the STEP Homes in Need program, which she said has completed 2,454 home-repair jobs at an average cost of about $17,000 and represents more than $12,000,000 invested in the county’s housing stock since the program began.

The proclamation recognizes local community action efforts and encourages residents to support agencies that provide economic and social services. “In 2024, we’ve served over 19,000 individuals,” Abbott said during remarks to the commissioners, adding that STEP coordinates funding from sources including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, a local affordable housing trust, and other grants.

Abbott also described an ARPA-funded aid program administered by STEP that she said has handled more than 300 requests since October and that the agency has made staffing changes to support growing summer program needs. She told the commissioners the program had supported 85 requests; Abbott said she did not have the full monthly figures available at the meeting.

Commissioners made brief remarks thanking STEP staff and board members for their work and accepted the proclamation; several commissioners and attendees posed for a photo with STEP staff.

Background: STEP’s Homes in Need program was created in partnership with county commissioners, Abbott said, and the agency provides a range of services including child and older-adult services and transportation supports. Abbott listed staff in attendance by name and role and offered to provide a letter of support the commissioners could sign for federal representatives in recognition of Community Action Month.

The commissioners did not take additional action related to county funding at the meeting; the proclamation and the presentation were ceremonial and intended to highlight STEP’s programs.