​Our Mission: 
     Engaging, educating, and empowering people in
     poverty to build stronger communities through
     programs and partnerships.
A History of Community Action
There are several elements of American culture or history that caused the conditions that created the need for community action to be born and enabled it to thrive. On the frontier, sometimes people really were “on their own.” The myth of the “rugged individual” braving the elements was born. Assistance came from family and neighbors who helped with “barn-raisings,” harvesting crops and baling hay.  From the days of the early settlers, the spirit of mutual assistance has been an element of American society. The church and other voluntary associations became important social systems through which mutual assistance was organized.
Community Action:  America's Poverty-Fighting Network
       At some point in their lives, everyone needs a helping hand.  Community Action, through its 1,000-plus local agencies, both private and public, is a trusted source of support for over 15 million people in more than 6 million families annually.  With a presence in 99% of counties across America, Community Action is able to fill gaps in service that others fail to reach.  
       Community Action believes the future of America depends on everyone in urban, suburban, and rural places doing well, and that our communities are stronger when all people can realize their full potential and contribute to their local community.
The promise of Community Action is reflected in three Community Action Network National Goals:
​Goal 1  Individuals and families with low incomes are stable and achieve economic security.
Goal 2  Communities where people with low incomes live are healthy and offer economic opportunity.
Goal 3  People with low incomes are engaged and active in building opportunities in communities.
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we are Community action

        We, as community action professionals, dedicate ourselves to eliminating poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training; the opportunity for work; and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity; and with respect for cultural diversity commit ourselves to a code of ethics.