Community Action Agencies
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
If you are in need, you should try to find a local Community Action Agency.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s War on Poverty. Community Action Agencies help people to help themselves achieve self-sufficiency.
These agencies are a primary source of direct support for the more than 34.5 million people who live in poverty in the United States. The majority of program participants are extremely poor, with incomes below 75 percent of the federal poverty threshold, or $9,735 for a family of three (the average family size for the client population).
Because each CAA is governed locally, each provides a different mix of programs and services. The following represent the percentages of Community Action Agencies that deliver these services:
Community Coordination – 94%
Citizen participation, neighborhood and community organization, information and referrals
Emergency Services – 91%
Food Pantries, energy assistance homeless shelters, domestic violence
Education – 89%
Head Start, youth mentoring ,literacy, Adult Basic Education
Food and Nutrition – 84%
Meals on Wheels, congregate feeding, food banks
Family Development – 68%
Day care, case management, counseling, supportEmployment
Training/Employment - 63%
Job readiness, job training, and job creation
Income Management – 53%
Budget CounselingTransportation – 49%
Rural transportation systems, on-demand transportation
Housing – 46%
Self-help housing, homeownership, rental assistance, Weatherization
Economic Development – 39%
Business planning and loans, water and sewer
Health Care – 29%
Health Clinics, WIC, prescription assistance
Find a Community Action Agency in your area
Related posts:
- Grant to Start a Home Child Care Center
- First Time Home Buyer Assistance
- Residential Special Hardship Program
- Grants for Community Projects
- Home Rehab Grants Available