Strengthening the Fabric of our Community
WCCS: Agency History

WCCS is a story of SUCCESS. A small group of concerned citizens addressed an anti-poverty issue in the 1960’s and it mushroomed into an organization that provides a wide variety of services and programs for Warren County citizens of all ages.

A group of citizen started WCCS over 45 years ago in 1966 to address the needs and provide help for low-income families in Warren County. The newly chartered, non-profit corporation was called Warren County Community Action, Inc.

For the next two decades (1960s and 1970s) the agency focused on developing needed programs and delivering services. The new programs that were started include: Head Start, youth programs, outreach activities, weatherization, various transportation activities, and services for the elderly.  During this time of growth the original Warren County Community Action, Inc. merged with smaller non-profit groups and changed its name to Warren County Human Services.

By 1980 the agency moved to 570 N State Route 741, formerly the campus of Otterbein Lebanon Home, where administrative offices are found today. They shared space with the Warren County Council on Aging, Inc. The two agencies merged to form one corporation by the early 1980’s and changed its name to Warren County Community Services, Inc.  Again, WCCS addressed and developed needed programs for the elderly.

Today, the agency provides a wide variety of services and programs for Warren County citizens of all ages. Many facilities and programs conducted by WCCS are in various locations throughout Warren County. 

One only has to go to www.wccsi.org and click on the “PROGRAMS & SERVICES” or explore WCCS’ home page to realize how involved and how  BIG  Warren County Community Services, Inc. is in Warren County.



OUR HISTORY

1966
The heritage of the Warren County Community Services, Inc. (“WCCS”) can be traced back to 1966. A concerned group of persons (who were involved with anti-poverty activities during the Kennedy-Johnson years) realized the need to form a non-profit corporation which could (under the Economic Opportunities Act of 1964) provide assistance to Warren County’s low income families. On 2/14/66, documents were signed to form the non-profit corporation known as Community Action Commission of Warren County, whose address was 455 Crestview Drive, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.  Raymon F. Hatfield, Lebanon, OH; George Hartman, Lebanon, OH; and DeWitt Terry, Franklin, OH were appointed to serve the corporation as Trustees until the First Annual Meeting or other meeting could be called to elect Trustees. Community Action Commission of Warren County was incorporated on 2/17/66 when the Articles were filed with the Secretary of State of Ohio.  William Bowers, Mark Clark, and Richard Kemp subscribed their names to the Articles as witnesses. 

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Community Action Commission of Warren County, Inc. was involved in analyzing the needs of low income families in Warren County. The major focus was on program development and service delivery.  It was successful in developing many new programs.

1970-1972
Community Action Commission of Warren County, Inc. became an independent grantee of the Community Action programs, such as Head Start, Youth Programs, Outreach Activities, Weatherization, various Transportation Activities and services for the Elderly. 

1975-1976
Community Action Commission of Warren County, Inc. changed its address from 455 Crestview Drive, Lebanon, Ohio 45036, to 24 North Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio on 7/25/75, and Charles G. Replogle was appointed Statutory Agent.  Norman Haag, President, was a witness to these changes as evidenced by documents recorded on 8/13/75. 

Community Action Commission of Warren County, Inc. merged with two smaller non-profit groups (Warren County Youth Council and Mackinaw) to become Warren County Human Services Board, Inc. A majority of the members of Community Action Commission of Warren County, Inc. voted to make the name change on 1/1/76, and a Certificate of Amendment to Articles was recorded.  Larry Sargeant was appointed Statutory Agent on 5/12/76. Pat Marriot, President, and Ruth Richardson, Secretary, were witnesses to these changes as evidenced by documents recorded on 8/18/76.

Warren County Human Services Board, Inc. started the first Weatherization Program in the State of Ohio. 

1980
Warren County Human Services Board, Inc. and Council on Aging of Warren County moved to 570 North State Route 741, Lebanon, Ohio.

1982
Warren County Human Services Board, Inc. recorded a change of address for its Statutory Agent, Larry Sargeant, from 24 North Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036 to 570 North State Route 741, Lebanon, OH 45036. Charles W. Peckham, President, was witness to this event which was recorded on 6/23/82. 

1985
Warren County Human Service Board, Inc. changed its name to Warren County Community Services, Inc. (“WCCS”) on 2/4/85, and the principal place of business remained at 570 North State Route 741, Lebanon, OH 45036.  A Certificate of Amendment to the Articles was executed on 4/5/85 and filed on 4/09/85 to reflect the change. 

The Council on Aging of Warren County, Incorporated, was merged into Warren County Community Services, Inc. pursuant to an Agreement Of Merger Recitals signed on 2/4/85 and witnessed by the following Trustees and/or Officers: Dr. Charles Peckham, Rose Poast, and Annabel Traylor. This Agreement was recorded on 5/3/85. 

1992
Larry Sargeant was appointed Statutory Agent of WCCS as evidenced by filings dated 2/23/92. 

1996
Pursuant to an Amendment to the Articles of Warren County Community Services, Inc., which was adopted by resolution on 2/26/96 and filed of record on 8/1/96, WCCS can implement programs that address identifying needs of families and individuals of Southwest Ohio and the programs shall no longer be restricted to Warren County. 

CURRENT
Through the years, WCCS and its predecessors have touched the lives of thousands by providing a family of services to assist them in facing urgent needs, a devastating disease, or simply help to improve their quality of life.  WCCS remains the leading non-profit, charitable social service organization in the county. The WCCS Administrative offices relocated to 645 Oak Street, Lebanon, OH 45036 in 2021.