We are Marion-Polk’s anti-poverty professionals and the area’s leading non-profit social services provider. Since our founding, we've seen many challenges and worked to meet them with innovative, evidence-based programs and a research-centric approach. Together, we are creating positive social change and addressing our community’s most pressing needs.
Pioneering Anti-Poverty Efforts
Poverty has many impacts, among them, unstable housing, costly bills, poor nutrition, and a lack of education. And too often, just one of these issues leads to another. In this cycle, becoming self-sufficient can feel impossible.
But there’s hope. Community Action equips people with the resources they need to get back on their feet. Our programs were designed for the unique needs of our region, drawing on research, and decades of experience, to address poverty at its roots, and help people move forward.
Our Mission
Empowering people to change their lives and exit poverty by providing vital services and community leadership.
Our Vision
All people are respected for their infinite worth and are supported to envision and reach a positive future.
Seeing the Need, Taking the Lead
This fight requires flexibility, and an ability to recognize the complex, often hidden, causes of poverty. We meet the challenge head on, acknowledging that life includes both immediate needs and long-term aspirations. Then, we use a flexible response system, addressing everything from housing and education to job training and childhood care. Combined, these services are a potent force against the entire spectrum of poverty.
As we help individuals lead better, more stable lives, we’re making systematic improvements in equality, fairness, and justice across our community.
Partnering for Progress
Partnership is our guiding principle. Community Action stands shoulder-to-shoulder with more than 300 non-profits, local governments, interest groups, and businesses to meet the systemic challenges and emerging needs in our community.
Always Innovating
We can’t count on the old way of doing things. So as poverty changes, our movement does too. We design our programs with hard evidence, backed by the latest research and decades of on-staff expertise in education, housing, homelessness, and childcare. Then we execute, analyze the data, and make adjustments.
Built for Efficiency
We believe there’s always a way to grow, learn, and improve our work, so we’re committed to transparency and the principles of good governance. It’s our responsibility to clients, funders, and the entire community that our services are both effective and efficient in reducing poverty and helping our neighbors lead better lives.
today's needs, tomorrow's solutions
As we help individuals lead better, more stable lives, we’re making systematic improvements in equality, fairness, and justice across our community.