50 Years of Action
The Promise of Community Action
Recently our nation marked the 50th anniversary of two events that helped pave the road to opportunity for millions of Americans living in poverty. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, featured Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech calling for human, civil and economic rights for African Americans. Just a few months later, on January 8, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his “War on Poverty” by introducing legislation that would expand the federal government’s role in poverty reduction efforts. This set in motion the creation of programs such as Head Start, food stamps (now SNAP), work study, Community Action Agencies, Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA), Medicare and Medicaid.
For 50 years, CAP Agency has provided basic services and innovative programs that help empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome poverty, live with dignity, and achieve their full potential. We work to:
- Strengthen & Educate Families
- Promote Self-Sufficiency
- Build Community.
At Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver, Dakota counties, we will take time to reflect on the progress made in helping families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency and promote our vision and commitment over the next fifty years.
The Path Ahead
CAP Agency works at the state and local levels to ensure all people in Scott, Carver and Dakota counties have their basic needs met today and are empowered to build a better tomorrow. We are deeply committed to continual examination of our work and improving our impact to help our community thrive and prosper. Healthy communities benefit everyone. Our path of progress focuses on five key areas aimed at creating healthy and vibrant communities:
- Crisis Intervention: We believe when families come to us in crisis, they deserve immediate and appropriate responses
- Education: We believe investments in early childhood education pay significant returns to children—our future leaders
- Food/Nutrition: We believe everyone should have access to nutritious food to thrive
- Housing: We believe everyone should have a safe, affordable place to live and call home
- Community Outreach: We believe in the power of neighbors helping neighbors, working together toward a common vision
While we currently focus on these five areas, the CAP Agency evolves to meet the ever changing community needs. We envision and work in partnership to create opportunities for:
- Economic Vitality: We believe people thrive in communities with strong local economies; we also believe local economies thrive when people thrive.
- Asset Development & Financial Stability: We believe access to financial knowledge, affordable credit and personal savings build a powerful bridge to prosperity.
- Employment: We believe everyone who is able to work deserves the tools, skills and opportunity to succeed.
- Health: We believe securing a family’s health and well-being is a long-term investment in individual lives, and in our community.
If you are interested in partnering with the CAP Agency during 2015-16 in celebrating our 50th anniversary, please contact: