Sumter County Opportunities Inc

Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. is a charitable public-benefit Alabama 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation; based in Livingston, Alabama; serving the community through Head Start Program services for over 45 years. Each year, Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. serves approximately five hundred pre-school children (0-5 years) from disadvantaged and low-income families from seven remote locations.

An article published by USA Today, dated January 15, 2015; entitled: "The Poorest County In Each State", based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau Community Survey shared: "In many of these counties, residents struggled with low educational attainment and limited job opportunities." Sumter County has the unacceptable distinction of being included on the list. Also included was the following data for Sumter County, Alabama:

> County median household income, 2009-2013: $22,186
> State median household income, 2009-2013: $43,253
> Poverty rate, 2009-2013: 38.0%
> Unemployment, 2013: 9.9%

Alabama had a median annual household income of $43,253 over the five years through 2013, one of the lowest in the nation. A typical Sumter County households earned barely more than half of that figure, with a median annual household income of $22,186 between 2009 and 2013. Sumter County also had one of the nation's highest poverty rates. Between 2009 and 2013, 38% of residents lived in poverty, versus the comparable national poverty rate of 15.4%.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 

Opportunity is: an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done. 

1: a favorable juncture of circumstances

2: a good chance for advancement or progress

Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. was founded upon the principle that every child and family served will have a more favorable path of circumstances and a good chance for advancement and progress throughout their lives.

During our nearly fifty years of service, Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. Head Start Program pre-schoolers have graduated and grown-up as adults to achieve the following life milestones: 

• High School Graduation Diploma
• First to attend college in the family
• College or University Graduation Degree
• College or University Post-Graduate Degree
• Marriage and family
• Professional or gainful employment
• First-Time Home Ownership
• Military Service
• Business Ownership

We are working together towards a brighter future for children, families and community. Each year due to program budget reduction allocation, Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. raises funds and receives in-kind contributions to achieve our total operations budget. Grants account for eighty per cent (80%) of our budget and the balance of twenty per cent (20%) must be obtained through in-kind donations, volunteers and by the generosity of individuals and common-mission partnerships.

Your donation will go a long way to serve in changing the lives of preschoolers preparing for transition to Kindergarten for:

• Classroom Materials
• Consummable Supplies
• Enrichment Programs

You will receive a receipt from SCOI for your donation. Your contributions are 100% Tax Deductible as a gift to a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. 

Thanks very much for your generosity and support!