Juan Henderson recently discussed his role as the Organize Community Action program’s new executive director as well as the agency’s various programs. 

Henderson, a 1988 graduate of Charles Henderson High School, follows in the footsteps of Wanda Mountry, who recently retired as OCAP’s executive director after 30 years. Henderson said OCAP is a self-help agency that seeks to find solutions to social and economic problems related to poverty. 

He said OCAP is most well-known for its Head Start program. He said the program provides underprivileged and special needs children with nutrition, medical and educational needs in Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Crenshaw, Dale and Pike counties. He said the program is designed to promote parental involvement and to help children prepare for educational opportunities. 

Henderson also said OCAP has a Weatherization Assistance Program that helps those in need to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. 

He said OCAP also has an Emergency Food and Shelter Program, a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and a Fatherhood-Motherhood Initiative. 

According to OCAP’s 2023 annual report, in Pike County, OCAP:

• Invested $2.9 million, impacting 2,174 households in 2023
• Head Start and Early Head Start helped 20 children with early-childhood and family services
• 29,291 meals were distributed
• 2,589 households received assistance
• 33 mothers and fathers improved relationships with their children
• Six people were certified as welders through the workforce development program, Pay-to-Learn
• Eight households were assisted through the Weatherization