About Community Action
Helping People Reach Economic Security
In Missouri, our 19 Community Action Agencies exist in every county to help people achieve self sufficiency. Community Action provides direct services to low-income Missourians:
Economic and Family Security
A variety of programs that promote family stability and economic security are available through Community Action Agencies. CAA’s provide life skills classes like financial management, family support services, domestic violence shelters, foster grandparent programs and crisis assistance.
Education and Job Training
From school readiness programs like Head Start, to employment training and workforce development, Community Action Agencies offer opportunities that teach children beginning academics and provide adults with labor skills needed to land a stable job.
Food and Nutrition
Our goal is to ensure all Missourians have affordable, adequate & nutritious food available in their communities. Several agencies have a food pantry, sponsor summer food programs or operate WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Nutrition programs.
Health
We believe all people should have access to adequate, affordable health care. Community Action Agencies often sponsor women’s health programs, health screenings for seniors and in-home services.
Housing and Energy
Energy & housing programs help with everything from utility costs and furnace repairs to rent payments and transitional housing so families can live in safe, healthy & affordable housing.
About Missouri CAN
A Voice for Low-Income Families
Missouri Community Action Network (Missouri CAN) is the state association of Missouri’s 19 Community Action Agencies, Allies and Supporters united to help people and change lives. We are the statewide voice for Missourians struggling with poverty and the Community Action Network.
Our Vision: A state where all people and communities thrive.
Our Mission: To advocate for low-income Missourians and strengthen the Community Action Network.
Advocacy
Missouri CAN communicates with state and federal policy makers to ensure an understanding of poverty and its role in Missouri. We follow state and federal legislation that may impact low-income families and Community Action Agencies’ services. Learn about our advocacy.
Training & Technical Assistance
Missouri CAN provides valuable training and technical assistance to all Community Action staff from the front-line staff to program directors across a wide range of job functions.
Resource Development
Missouri CAN develops resources such as the Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment Data Tool that can be used by Missouri CAN Members and Community Action Agencies. Missouri CAN also coordinates statewide projects and tool kits to increase our agencies’ efficiency. Join our network today.
Poverty Awareness
The Community Action Poverty Simulation is a unique tool that can educate anyone from policy makers to community members about the realities of poverty. Host a poverty simulation.
Missouri CAN and our 19 Community Action Agencies are all nonprofit, nongovernmental, and nonpartisan organizations.