The organization attempts to ease the social and economic conditions that perpetuate poverty and near-poverty in the New Orleans, Louisiana area by providing direct assistance and the opportunity for people to better help themselves. Services offered include early childhood development (through administering Head Start programs in the New Orleans area) , energy and water assistance (through low-income home energy assistance programs), weatherization, job counseling and guidance, transportation for the elderly and disabled, commodity distribution, youth work experience, and a telephone tape library that provides information on a variety of subjects.