The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc.

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What Is Community Action

Community Action Agencies 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 in achieving self-sufficiency. Today, there are over 1000 Community Action Agencies, serving the poor in every state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  The service areas of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) cover over 99 percent of the nation’s counties.  Agencies are connected by a national network that includes the Community Action Partnership national association, regional associations, state associations, a national lobbying organization, and a national association of Community Service Block Grant administrators.

CAAs are a primary source of direct support for more than 15.8 million low-income individuals in over 7 million families who live in poverty in the United States. The majority of CAA program participants are impoverished, with 83.1% living below the 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines and nearly 33.8% living below 50% Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The nation’s Community Action Agencies embody our nation’s spirit of hope, change people’s lives, and improve communities. When national, state and local leaders tap into these agencies’ experience, they can promote workable solutions that connect more families to opportunity – and make America a better place to live for everyone.

The Promise of Community Action

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other..

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