Helping People Thrive: BCOC Supports Bucks County Students Through Every Step
This is what Community Action looks like.
At CAAP, we believe the power of Community Action lives in the stories, strategies, and solutions created by our member agencies across Pennsylvania. Through this ongoing series, we’re spotlighting the work of local agencies making a measurable impact—so their innovation can inspire others, and their success can be amplified across the statewide network. This is what Community Action looks like.
When people talk about what it takes to break out of poverty, the focus usually lands on one thing: education, a better job, a fresh start. But the truth is, no single program or single decision creates stability. It’s the wraparound support behind the scenes that changes a family’s trajectory.
Take school, for example: staying in class takes more than ambition. It takes stable housing, enough food, reliable transportation, and someone in your corner. And that’s exactly what Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) provides: layered support that meets real needs so people can move forward.
As the designated Community Action Agency for Bucks County, BCOC is no stranger to innovation. Their Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) program has long helped families navigate the path from crisis to independence.
However, what makes BCOC stand out is how they constantly evolve to meet their community’s changing needs.
They’ve developed initiatives like Wheelz 2 Work, a program that accepts donated vehicles and gets them into the hands of working families who need reliable transportation to get to school or work. BCOC handles minor repairs and provides documentation for tax deductions—turning donated cars into tools for economic mobility.
Another example is the Healthy Families Initiative, which uses private donations to fund extracurricular experiences for families—like prom tickets, sports, swimming lessons, and music programs. This helps the families thrive, build confidence, and create memories that strengthen family bonds and social capital.
These programs work because they’re grounded in BCOC’s belief that success comes from supporting the whole person—not just solving one problem.
And in 2022, they launched something new: Coaches on Campus—a bold collaboration with Bucks County Community College (BCCC) to embed trained Economic Self-Sufficiency coaches directly into student life on campus.
The idea was simple but powerful: place the support where it’s needed most.
Many Bucks students are balancing work, parenting, and financial insecurity while pursuing degrees. Something as small as a missed utility payment or the cost of a textbook can derail their progress. The Coaches on Campus program provides both one-on-one coaching and emergency financial support so students can stay enrolled, complete their education, and achieve long-term stability.
The stories speak for themselves.
Heather, a student in recovery and working toward a psychology degree, credits the program with helping her stay focused and supported. Angelina, juggling two jobs while pursuing a healthcare path, received assistance with CNA certification fees and transportation. Julianna, working toward a nursing degree, got help with rent, car repairs, and finding a higher-paying job to keep her education on track.
These students (and many others) show what’s possible when Community Action and higher education join forces. And the impact is being noticed. Other institutions have reached out to BCOC for guidance on replicating the model, inspired by its early success and thoughtful design.
And in true BCOC fashion, they did it by connecting community partners like nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, housing providers, and healthcare and wellness partners.
You can read the entire BCOC Case Study: Collaborative on Economic Mobility | High Quality Education Case Study here.
The Coaches on Campus program isn’t just a pilot. It’s a powerful proof of concept: that embedding coaching and basic needs support where students already are can change lives and increase graduation outcomes.
This is what Community Action looks like: meeting people where they are, removing barriers, and building partnerships that last.
Does your agency have a success story like this?
We’d love to hear it. Reach out to CAAP to share your work and help amplify the impact of Community Action across Pennsylvania