Records, 1964-1988, 90 cubic feet
ACC. 688, Part 1
* Closed Materials are available only with premission of the owner.
WEB NOTE
The finding aid for the OICA Manuscript Collection on the Web consists of four parts: Researchers may also be interested in the Manuscript Collection for the related Opportunities Industrialization Centers International.BACKGROUND
OICA is a national network of employment and training centers which serve the hardcore poor and unemployed. The community based organization was founded in 1964 by Reverend Leon Howard Sullivan, pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia. OICA provides assistance to local affiliates in areas of program development, proposal development, fiscal management, and management information systems.The OICA records contain a wealth of information on a variety of programs initiated since help those individuals with special barriers to employment such as ex-offenders, former alcoholics and drug abusers, high school drop-outs, veterans, older workers and women. Files also contain documents pertaining to OICA economic development activities, particularly the Community Investment Cooperatives Program. This Program provided opportunities for minorities and other disadvantaged groups to pool resources and start business ventures in their own communities.
ORGANIZATION
Organized into seven series:- Series I: Administration (Boxes 1-7)
- Series II: OICA Departments (Boxes 8-70)
- Series III: OIC Programs and Projects (Boxes 71-78)
- Series IV: OIC Sub-Organizations (Boxes 79-82)
- Series V: Convocations (Boxes 83-85)
- Series VI: Audio-Visuals Materials (Boxes 86-88)
- Series VII: Student Files (Boxes 89-90) CASE ANONYMITY
SERIES I. Administration.
This series documents the activities of the OICA National Board of Directors. This governing body serves to strengthen all OICs by setting goals, disseminating information, solving problems and maintaining the cohesiveness of the OIC network. Records include meeting minutes, correspondence, memorandums and reports of the Board and its various components including, the National Executive Board, Executive Council, Executive Assembly and National Auxiliary Board between 1969-1981.Several folders also document the activities of the National Industrial Advisory Council(NIAC) and its National Technical Advisory Committee(NTAC). NIAC is comprised of a group of executive officers from leading corporations that advise the OICA Board of Directors on matters concerning OIC, and who use their influence and resources to assure OICAs' continued success. NTAC is the action arm of NIAC, consisting of service level executives of NIAC member companies who work with the OICA staff to see that Council projects are effectively accomplished. Records include correspondence, memorandums and reports for the years 1973-1983.
In addition, this series contains the records of the Executive Office of OICA. The prime responsibility of this Office is the overall management of OICA and the implementation of Board policy throughout the entire organization. The bulk of records in this series consists of Executive and Deputy Directors correspondence detailing office involvement with U.S. Government agencies such as U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Commerce for the years 1968-1982. Other documents include administrative staff meeting minutes, executive reports, annual reports, travel itineraries, retreats and speeches from 1971-1983.
SERIES II. Departments.
This series contains the bulk of the collection and documents the various functions of individual administrative departments within OICA. Records have been divided into twelve subseries including:
Division of Special Programs : Formerly known as the Urban Career Education Center, this office was started in 1972 to provide a variety of vocational and educational services to the youth of America. In close consultation with the Philadelphia Board of Education programs such as the Career Internship Program, Career Exploration Program , Career Orientation Program, Vocational Orientation Programs were designed to meet the special needs of school dropouts and potential dropouts. Files contains reports, contracts, correspondence, guidelines, proposals, trip reports and program statistics from 1973-1981.
Other files contain materials on projects such as the Learning Opportunities Centers, that make use of computer hardware and software technology to provide vocational and remedial instruction, and the Juvenile Ex-Residency Program that help youth ex-offenders to reassimilate themselves back into society. Records range from 1975-1982. In addition, this subseries contains a small number of files pertaining to the Youth Employment Technical Assistance Program from 1980-1981. This program was initiated to provide local OICs and community-based organizations with technical assistance to develop and implement their own youth programs.
The Office of Planning and Development (OPD) : This Department keeps national and local organizations informed about legislative and regulative developments that affect OIC locals. It accomplishes its goals through presentations made at Convocations, regional conferences and written communications. A large portion of these documents were removed from the OICA Resource Center started in the mid-seventies by OPD to provide informational services to OIC locals. Records include an extensive newsclipping collection from 1962-1982 on the OIC movement across the country. Various publications are also represented including OICA Key News, OICA Reports, and the Executive Directors Association publication the Adherent for the years 1968-1983.
Management Information Systems (MIS) : This department is the central repository of statistical information pertaining to OIC training services across the country. These records however, represent a small sampling of material including enrolle characteristics, client information and placement statistics for Region III (Pennsylvania and surrounding area) from 1972-1981. Files containing correspondence, memorandums and reports of the MIS Director are also documented from 1974-1981.
Office of Religious Resources : This office was established in April 1974 to coordinate all religious activities of OICA, and to develop a system of communications between local OICs and the religious community. This subseries contains important files that describe the OIC Pilgrimage to Washington in 1973 to protest government cutbacks to various OIC programs across the country. Other records include correspondence, reports, papers, publications and fund drive materials for the years 1972-1980.
Government Relations Office: The government relations office stationed in Washington, D.C. keeps OICA informed of new changes in government laws, and educates elected officials on OICs' accomplishments to insure the continued support of OIC projects nationwide. Records include memorandums, testimonies, correspondence, reports, newsclippings, press releases, paper presentations, OIC bills and U.S. Government publications from 1970-1981. This subseries also contains several folders pertaining to the OIC funding crisis in 1973.
Office of Planning and Special Programs : This office was responsible for research, planning and evaluation for the operational phases of OICA. Duties included the development of proposals for federal funding, the evaluation of OIC subcontractors based on cost/benefit analysis and established performance standards, planned special emphasis programs, and prepared instructional manuals, pamphlets, brochures and federal reports. This office was established in 1971 after reorganization, and phased out after 1973. The responsibilities of the office were transferred to other departments. Records include correspondence, memorandums, reports, evaluations and proposal guidelines dating from 1969-1973.
National Extension Services (NES) : NES was established in 1966 to provide technical assistance to non-federally funded OICs throughout the United States. The service was phased out after the reorganization of OICA between 1970-1971. Records include correspondence, Directors' reports, newsletters, proposals, memorandums and meeting minutes from 1968-1971. Several files document OICA involvement in the National Alliance for Businessmen Jobs 1970s' Project.
Administrative Office : This small subseries contains the files of the Fiscal and Personnel departments of OICA. Records include correspondence, financial documents, memorandums and personnel policy guidelines from 1972-1981.
Office of Field Operations : This department is comprised of nine regional offices which coordinate all activities relating to local OIC operations, the and implementation of national policy as they relate to the field. The bulk of records document activities in Region III. Records include Regional Directors meeting minutes, correspondence, proposals, memorandums, monthly reports, newsletters and program guidelines from 1968-1988
Office of Field Support : This office was established to provide basic support services to the regional teams and the national administration. Office services included assistance to local contractors in areas of contract preparation, proposal review, program review and legal review. Other duties of this office included coordinating activities at national and regional conferences, the dissemination of information on programs and operations and development of program guidelines. This office was phased out by 1973. Office responsibilities were consolidated into what eventually became the Office of Field Operations. Records include a small series of correspondence, memorandums, proposals and reports from 1968-1972
Office of Fund Development and Support : This office is responsible for soliciting financial support for OICA operations from private sources. This subseries consists of budget statements, correspondence, fund drive material, memorandums and papers for the years 1975-1982.
Economic Development Administration Office : This office was created to administer funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce for newly developing OICs'. Records include correspondence, grant information, proposals and reports for the years 1970-1977.
Legal Office : This subseries contains several folders consisting of OICA Articles of Incorporation, affiliate agreements, law suits, guidelines, memorandums and correspondence from 1971-1981.
Other files contain materials on projects such as the Learning Opportunities Centers, that make use of computer hardware and software technology to provide vocational and remedial instruction, and the Juvenile Ex-Residency Program that help youth ex-offenders to reassimilate themselves back into society. Records range from 1975-1982. In addition, this subseries contains a small number of files pertaining to the Youth Employment Technical Assistance Program from 1980-1981. This program was initiated to provide local OICs and community-based organizations with technical assistance to develop and implement their own youth programs.
The Office of Planning and Development (OPD) : This Department keeps national and local organizations informed about legislative and regulative developments that affect OIC locals. It accomplishes its goals through presentations made at Convocations, regional conferences and written communications. A large portion of these documents were removed from the OICA Resource Center started in the mid-seventies by OPD to provide informational services to OIC locals. Records include an extensive newsclipping collection from 1962-1982 on the OIC movement across the country. Various publications are also represented including OICA Key News, OICA Reports, and the Executive Directors Association publication the Adherent for the years 1968-1983.
Management Information Systems (MIS) : This department is the central repository of statistical information pertaining to OIC training services across the country. These records however, represent a small sampling of material including enrolle characteristics, client information and placement statistics for Region III (Pennsylvania and surrounding area) from 1972-1981. Files containing correspondence, memorandums and reports of the MIS Director are also documented from 1974-1981.
Office of Religious Resources : This office was established in April 1974 to coordinate all religious activities of OICA, and to develop a system of communications between local OICs and the religious community. This subseries contains important files that describe the OIC Pilgrimage to Washington in 1973 to protest government cutbacks to various OIC programs across the country. Other records include correspondence, reports, papers, publications and fund drive materials for the years 1972-1980.
Government Relations Office: The government relations office stationed in Washington, D.C. keeps OICA informed of new changes in government laws, and educates elected officials on OICs' accomplishments to insure the continued support of OIC projects nationwide. Records include memorandums, testimonies, correspondence, reports, newsclippings, press releases, paper presentations, OIC bills and U.S. Government publications from 1970-1981. This subseries also contains several folders pertaining to the OIC funding crisis in 1973.
Office of Planning and Special Programs : This office was responsible for research, planning and evaluation for the operational phases of OICA. Duties included the development of proposals for federal funding, the evaluation of OIC subcontractors based on cost/benefit analysis and established performance standards, planned special emphasis programs, and prepared instructional manuals, pamphlets, brochures and federal reports. This office was established in 1971 after reorganization, and phased out after 1973. The responsibilities of the office were transferred to other departments. Records include correspondence, memorandums, reports, evaluations and proposal guidelines dating from 1969-1973.
National Extension Services (NES) : NES was established in 1966 to provide technical assistance to non-federally funded OICs throughout the United States. The service was phased out after the reorganization of OICA between 1970-1971. Records include correspondence, Directors' reports, newsletters, proposals, memorandums and meeting minutes from 1968-1971. Several files document OICA involvement in the National Alliance for Businessmen Jobs 1970s' Project.
Administrative Office : This small subseries contains the files of the Fiscal and Personnel departments of OICA. Records include correspondence, financial documents, memorandums and personnel policy guidelines from 1972-1981.
Office of Field Operations : This department is comprised of nine regional offices which coordinate all activities relating to local OIC operations, the and implementation of national policy as they relate to the field. The bulk of records document activities in Region III. Records include Regional Directors meeting minutes, correspondence, proposals, memorandums, monthly reports, newsletters and program guidelines from 1968-1988
Office of Field Support : This office was established to provide basic support services to the regional teams and the national administration. Office services included assistance to local contractors in areas of contract preparation, proposal review, program review and legal review. Other duties of this office included coordinating activities at national and regional conferences, the dissemination of information on programs and operations and development of program guidelines. This office was phased out by 1973. Office responsibilities were consolidated into what eventually became the Office of Field Operations. Records include a small series of correspondence, memorandums, proposals and reports from 1968-1972
Office of Fund Development and Support : This office is responsible for soliciting financial support for OICA operations from private sources. This subseries consists of budget statements, correspondence, fund drive material, memorandums and papers for the years 1975-1982.
Economic Development Administration Office : This office was created to administer funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce for newly developing OICs'. Records include correspondence, grant information, proposals and reports for the years 1970-1977.
Legal Office : This subseries contains several folders consisting of OICA Articles of Incorporation, affiliate agreements, law suits, guidelines, memorandums and correspondence from 1971-1981.
SERIES III. OIC Programs and Projects.
This series contains files on various programs undertaken by OICA since 1966. Records are divided into ten subseries including:
Adult Armchair Education Program (AAE) : This innovative program was initially funded by the U.S. of Health Education and Welfare in 1966. Classes were held in the homes of the disadvantaged, and gave participants the opportunity to discuss common problems, receive information about training and to take the first steps in preparing for OICs' vocational training program. Records include annual reports, correspondence, proposals and reports for 1966-1977.
Community Economic Development Program (CED) : This subseries documents various economic development ventures undertaken by OICA in the Philadelphia area, including reports and correspondence on OICA Self-Help Cooperative Societies and the Philadelphia Elderly Housing Project from 1978-1983.
Community Investment Cooperatives (CIC) : The CIC Program (also known as the 10-36 Plan) was originated in 1962 by Reverend Leon Sullivan. The plan called for the establishment of community-based and community owned business and development organizations. Although the program was successful nationally, this subseries documents only activities of the CIC prototype in Philadelphia. Records pertaining to CIC organizations such as Zion Non-Profit Charitable Trust and Progress Investments Associates (Formerly known as Zion Investment Associates) are found here for the years 1969-1980. Other records include correspondence, memorandums, reports and Proposals for the CIC Directors' Office from 1968-1982.
Developmental Task Force (DTF) : This project was initiated by OICA to provide technical assistance to local communities interested in developing OICs. Records include correspondence, monthly reports, project descriptions and meeting minutes that document OICA activities in Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco from 1976-1977.
Feeder Program : This program was a crucial component of the OIC comprehensive service model. It provided perspective trainees from disadvantaged backgrounds with basic academic skills, as well as counseling to insure that students were prepared emotionally to undergo intensive vocational and technical course instruction. Records include program guidelines, papers and budgets from 1968-1975.
Job Corps Center Program : Included in this subseries are meeting minutes, correspondence, memorandums and reports detailing OICA involvement in the National Job Corps Programs, particularly the Little Rock, Arkansas center. This residential living center was designed to provide educational and vocational training along with a variety of other support services to prepare eligible youths to become responsible, productive and employable. Records dates from 1979-1981.
Projects A.I.M./J.O.Y and P.R.O.B.E/Y.E.S. : These series of programs operated between 1978-1981 and were designed to help adult and youth ex-offenders to make the transition from prison back to society. Rehabilitation took the form of vocational training, counseling, referral, job placement and follow-up. Records include correspondence, budget summaries, contract agreements, proposals, reports, meeting minutes, program descriptions and program reviews for 1978-1981.
Special Demonstration Evening Program : This small subseries contains budget proposals, contract modifications, correspondence, reports and proposals detailing evening program activities across the country from 1978-1979.
Youth to Job Transition Program : This program was designed to provide training services to disadvantaged youths to prepare them for the work world. Files include annual reports, contracts, correspondence, memorandums, newsclippings, proposals and reports from 1975-1977.
Community Economic Development Program (CED) : This subseries documents various economic development ventures undertaken by OICA in the Philadelphia area, including reports and correspondence on OICA Self-Help Cooperative Societies and the Philadelphia Elderly Housing Project from 1978-1983.
Community Investment Cooperatives (CIC) : The CIC Program (also known as the 10-36 Plan) was originated in 1962 by Reverend Leon Sullivan. The plan called for the establishment of community-based and community owned business and development organizations. Although the program was successful nationally, this subseries documents only activities of the CIC prototype in Philadelphia. Records pertaining to CIC organizations such as Zion Non-Profit Charitable Trust and Progress Investments Associates (Formerly known as Zion Investment Associates) are found here for the years 1969-1980. Other records include correspondence, memorandums, reports and Proposals for the CIC Directors' Office from 1968-1982.
Developmental Task Force (DTF) : This project was initiated by OICA to provide technical assistance to local communities interested in developing OICs. Records include correspondence, monthly reports, project descriptions and meeting minutes that document OICA activities in Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco from 1976-1977.
Feeder Program : This program was a crucial component of the OIC comprehensive service model. It provided perspective trainees from disadvantaged backgrounds with basic academic skills, as well as counseling to insure that students were prepared emotionally to undergo intensive vocational and technical course instruction. Records include program guidelines, papers and budgets from 1968-1975.
Job Corps Center Program : Included in this subseries are meeting minutes, correspondence, memorandums and reports detailing OICA involvement in the National Job Corps Programs, particularly the Little Rock, Arkansas center. This residential living center was designed to provide educational and vocational training along with a variety of other support services to prepare eligible youths to become responsible, productive and employable. Records dates from 1979-1981.
Projects A.I.M./J.O.Y and P.R.O.B.E/Y.E.S. : These series of programs operated between 1978-1981 and were designed to help adult and youth ex-offenders to make the transition from prison back to society. Rehabilitation took the form of vocational training, counseling, referral, job placement and follow-up. Records include correspondence, budget summaries, contract agreements, proposals, reports, meeting minutes, program descriptions and program reviews for 1978-1981.
Special Demonstration Evening Program : This small subseries contains budget proposals, contract modifications, correspondence, reports and proposals detailing evening program activities across the country from 1978-1979.
Youth to Job Transition Program : This program was designed to provide training services to disadvantaged youths to prepare them for the work world. Files include annual reports, contracts, correspondence, memorandums, newsclippings, proposals and reports from 1975-1977.
SERIES IV. Sub-Organizations.
This series contains the records of various OIC sub-organizations including:
Executive Directors' Association (EDA) : Established in 1971 EDA is a organization whose membership is comprised of executive directors of local OICs throughout the country. Through participation in OIC network activities at the Executive Council, Regional Council and State Council levels EDA brings its expertise to bear on continued operations improvement and achievement of OIC locals. Records include correspondence, EDA conference meeting minutes, memorandums, national standards for OIC proposals from 1971-1981.
Mini-University : This non-profit neighborhood educational organization offers twelve week courses to adults in a variety of subjects including accounting, management and supervision, secretarial science, public speaking, english. math and Afro-American history. It attempts to combine skills and discipline of the college community with the facilities and dedication of religious and social institutions. The transfer of credits for many Mini-University courses are presently available at colleges in the Philadelphia area. Records date from 1980-1984 and include correspondence, Board of Directors meeting minutes, audit reports and proposals.
National Progress Association for Economic Development:
This organization was established during the 1960's to initiate community economic development ventures in the Philadelphia. Records include correspondence, newsletters, program proposals and conference material dating from 1969-1972.
Opportunities Academy for Management Training (OAMT) : OAMT was created to provide skills development courses to Board leaders top executives, administrative and staff personnel from OIC affiliates, as well as non-OIC business management officials. This subseries contains files pertaining to the Management Training School and Managing Manpower Under CETA components of OAMT from 1968-1982. Other records include correspondence, proposals, meeting minutes, publications, workshop material, annual reports dating from 1975-1982.
Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OICI) :This small subseries contains correspondence, newsletters and publications documenting OIC activities abroad between 1970-1979.
Mini-University : This non-profit neighborhood educational organization offers twelve week courses to adults in a variety of subjects including accounting, management and supervision, secretarial science, public speaking, english. math and Afro-American history. It attempts to combine skills and discipline of the college community with the facilities and dedication of religious and social institutions. The transfer of credits for many Mini-University courses are presently available at colleges in the Philadelphia area. Records date from 1980-1984 and include correspondence, Board of Directors meeting minutes, audit reports and proposals.
National Progress Association for Economic Development:
This organization was established during the 1960's to initiate community economic development ventures in the Philadelphia. Records include correspondence, newsletters, program proposals and conference material dating from 1969-1972.
Opportunities Academy for Management Training (OAMT) : OAMT was created to provide skills development courses to Board leaders top executives, administrative and staff personnel from OIC affiliates, as well as non-OIC business management officials. This subseries contains files pertaining to the Management Training School and Managing Manpower Under CETA components of OAMT from 1968-1982. Other records include correspondence, proposals, meeting minutes, publications, workshop material, annual reports dating from 1975-1982.
Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OICI) :This small subseries contains correspondence, newsletters and publications documenting OIC activities abroad between 1970-1979.
SERIES V. Convocations.
This series contains the records documenting OICA activities at the national conferences held once a year in various cities nationwide. Records include program agendas, publications, correspondence and memorandums from 1969-1982.SERIES VI. Audio-Visual Materials.
This series consists of audio-tapes, slides, transparencies, video tapes, photographs, negatives and slides from OICA Convocations, Board meetings, dedication ceremonies and OIC local affiliates from 1969-1984.SERIES VII. Student Files.
This series contain student records for Mini-University and Project YES. CASE ANONYMITY.Deposited by Elton Jolly, Executive Director of OICA, October 1988.
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