Our History
For more than 60 years, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. — Ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc. has worked to strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout New Jersey.
Established in 1965, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. became the designated Community Action Agency serving low- to moderate-income residents of Ocean County. The organization was created during the growth of the national Community Action movement that followed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which established a framework for local communities to address poverty by expanding access to education, employment, housing, and other opportunities.
From its earliest years, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. has focused on helping individuals and families overcome barriers and build pathways toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. Early programming included services such as Head Start, which has been part of O.C.E.A.N., Inc.’s work since at least the late 1960s. A 2022 New Jersey Department of Community Affairs recognition documented an O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start employee who began serving children at the Lakewood Head Start Center in 1967, reflecting the program’s longstanding presence in the community.
Over the decades, the agency expanded its reach and services in response to changing community needs. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. developed comprehensive programs addressing early childhood education, housing counseling, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, rental and mortgage assistance, home energy assistance, weatherization, first-time homeownership, child care, and other social services. Federal records also document decades of housing counseling services provided by the agency and its continued evolution based on community needs assessments.
In 2015, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary. Ocean County recognized the milestone and the agency's long history of working with local, state, and federal government, community organizations, and private-sector partners to connect residents with programs and resources that support self-sufficiency. At the time, O.C.E.A.N., Inc.'s services included Head Start, housing and mortgage counseling, weatherization, energy assistance, rental assistance, first-time homebuyer assistance, child care, and recovery outreach for residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.
O.C.E.A.N., Inc. has continued to adapt as the needs of New Jersey communities have changed. Today, its network of services includes energy assistance, weatherization, early learning, housing and housing stability services, financial empowerment, workforce-related initiatives, and other essential community resources.
More Than 60 Years of Community Action
In 2025, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. reached 60 years of service. What began as a local effort to address poverty has grown into a comprehensive human-services organization committed to helping families navigate immediate challenges while creating opportunities for long-term stability and economic mobility.
Throughout its history, one principle has remained constant: community needs must guide community action.
Today, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. continues that legacy by building partnerships, connecting people to resources, strengthening neighborhoods, and helping individuals and families move toward their fullest potential.
As O.C.E.A.N., Inc. moves into its next chapter, the agency remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life through equitable access to housing, education, employment, and essential community resources.
60+ Years of Service. One Community. Countless Lives Impacted.