 |  |  |  |  |  |
About CA
 |
 |
 |
 |
About Community Action Agencies In 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and the Economic Opportunity Act. These acts would grant $340 million a year to community action programs. The Civil Rights Act guaranteed equal opportunity for all people. The Economic Opportunity Act attempted to carry out this promise through the community agencies. A Community Action Agency is an organization whose mission is to reduce the causes of poverty. It does this by enlisting individuals to reach out to their communities. It also seeks to address the multiple needs of the people and to administer a range of programs that aim at making an impact on the war on poverty. Minneapolis was among the first cities in the country to organize and seek aid on August 20, 1964, the day after President Johnson signed the acts. Money went to programs that would work to eliminate poverty. Their goal was to develop employment opportunities and improve human performance, motivation and productivity. Programs also sought to improve living, working, and learning conditions. What started as a national commitment to address the needs of the nation’s poor turned into a “War on Poverty.” The CAA hit the ground running. The CAA had direct access to federal funding. Further, it had a mandate to use other local resources. Unlike some agencies, the CAA put the poor in significant decision-making roles. Together they worked with elected officials and representatives of other business, labor, agricultural, human service, and church organizations. The CAA’s mission was to not just help the poor. It was to find ways so they would no longer be poor. Minnesota receives funds through the Community Services Block Grant. Money from the grant concentrates on identifying and eliminating causes of poverty. Its objective is to help citizens achieve self-sufficiency. It also supports a range of programs, which expand the knowledge of poverty while looking for solutions to its effects. Lastly, CAA gives a voice to low-income people by giving them the power to plan, implement, and evaluate CAA services. |