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Mission & History

Who We Are

Community Action Partnership of Utah (CAP Utah) is the statewide association for Utah's nine Community Action Agencies. The Community Action network envisions an end to poverty in Utah. Our member agencies work toward this vision every day by providing services to low-income families and individuals across the state.

Mission

CAP Utah leads, strengthens, and supports the Community Action network by working with community stakeholders to advocate for vulnerable populations, build thriving communities, and end poverty.

Vision

We envision a state where residents are self-sufficient and communities are thriving.

The Promise of Community Action

Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

"We have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society."

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

History of Community Action

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty. Community Action Agencies help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency. Today there are approximately 1000 Community Action Agencies, serving the poor in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Trust Territories.

CAAs receive their funding from a variety of sources, including the federal government's Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). CAAs work to address needs in their communities and provide a range of services in areas such as food and nutrition, job training, education, housing, and more. There are nine CAAs in Utah that provide direct services to low-income families and individuals.

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