WHO WE ARE

The Access Community Action Agency is a federal and state designated non-profit Community Action Agency (CAA). Access has been working with the low-income population of eastern Connecticut since 1965. We take a comprehensive, holistic approach to examining the poverty-related challenges our customers and their families face, and with them develop customized individualized plans to help them overcome those challenges.

The staff and volunteers of the Access Community Action Agency are committed service providers, mentors, advocates, educators, neighbors, families, and friends. We believe that communities that work together can create positive changes that enable people to fight and overcome poverty. We are optimistic about the future and are committed to continued diligent hard work on behalf of those in need.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Our Community Vision is that All Windham and Tolland county residents will be economically secure.

Our Mission is to build equitable access to opportunities that empower under-resourced individuals, families and communities to achieve and sustain economic stability.

To accomplish our Mission we make the following Strategic Commitments:

Build Equitable Access to:

  • Resources that Increase Food Security

  • Safe Decent Affordable Housing

  • Pathways to Jobs and other keys to Self-Reliance

Our Values are:

  • Accountability
  • Compassion

  • Diversity

  • Excellence
  • Inclusion
  • Respect
  • Synergy
Access Community Action Agency

RESOURCES

Code of Ethics

View PDF

Strategic Framework FY ’23-’25

View PDF

Access 50th Anniversary Program

View PDF

Access 50th Anniversary Timeline

View PDF

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY?

Community Action Agencies are private nonprofit or public organizations that were created by the federal government in 1964 to combat poverty in geographically designated areas. Status as a Community Action Agency is the result of an explicit designation by both federal and state government. Each Community Action Agency has a tripartite, or three-part, board of directors designed to engage the entire community to fight poverty and build economic stability. These boards of directors are comprised equally of elected public officials or their nominees, private sector representatives, and representatives of low-income customers served.
community action partnership
women playing a board game together

WHY ARE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES UNIQUE?

Most poverty-related organizations focus on a specific area of need, such as job training, health care, housing, or economic development. Community Action Agencies reach out to low-income people in their communities, address their multiple needs through a comprehensive approach, develop partnerships with other community organizations, involve low-income customers, and deliver a full range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty.