Impact Stories

The impact that that Community Action Programs make is significant and leads to a range of positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Community Action Agencies play a transformative role by helping people with fundamental necessities that we all need to grow and develop, and to lead safe, healthy, and productive lives.

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elderly teacher and student

Head Start & Foster Grandparents

A nurse and mother of five who retired after 32 years in the profession mentioned to a cashier that she was bored. Meanwhile, a child in the agency’s Head Start...

Bridges returning citizen center

BRIDGES Returning Citizens Center: Reducing Recidivism

A young man preparing to reenter society after more than 10 years of incarceration was excited about a fresh start and motivated to find work. However, he knew he would...

ELF warm clothing program

Warm Clothing Program

A working couple of a family of four with two school age children called Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC); their rent had quadrupled in the past six months. The change...

contractor fixing a furnance

Emergency Heating Assistance

Susan calls Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) saying she had no heat. She has been on disability due to severe health issues, and although her husband is working, their income...

CACCI program

Immigration Status Assistance

A single 34-year-old woman who arrived in the United States more than a year ago from Haiti, was referred from St. Joseph Homeless Shelter in Hyannis to the Immigration Resource...

CTI WAP

Saving Energy & Staying Warm

After losing his wife, Roger’s income was significantly reduced. He juggled expenses through a mild winter but was facing another winter and didn’t know how he would manage.

Emergency Shelter & Job Training

Charlie and his wife hit a rough patch and landed in Action Inc.’s emergency shelter in Gloucester.

woman cold in her house

Keeping the Heat On

Patty was laid off from her job in February due to cuts in federal grant funding. When she lost her job, she was unable to afford her $500 per month...

young man working for dpw lowell

YouthBuild Program Leads to Stable, Rewarding Career

Anthony was struggling personally and academically and fell behind in high school.

twins learning in Head Start

School Readiness through Early Education & Care

Mayelin, a devoted mother of four, was looking for early education and care for her twin daughters.

Family of four with unhealthy child

Regaining Financial Stability through Financial Empowerment Programs

Giovanni and Breanna were forced to leave their jobs to provide full-time care for one of their two young children facing a serious health crisis. After a few months, the...

Temporary Mortgage Assistance

Diana was laid off from her job of 11 years after funding cuts impacted her company. After losing her job, Diana paid as much of her mortgage as she could...

Budgeting and Temporary Rental Assistance

Bill is a single father who was working as a fish packer, when he found himself out of work for five weeks. He had been making just $13 per hour...

Securing An Apartment

Carrie did not have enough money for the security deposit on an apartment. She was previously homeless and had finally found an apartment that she could afford – however, she...

Housing First

Charles had been homeless longer than he could remember. Over the past 10 years, he had spent time staying with family, living on the street, staying in abandoned trailers and...

Adult Education: Earning GED/HiSet

Jane was homeless and struggling with substance use disorder.

Food Delivery During Health Crisis

Juneesha received a dire diagnosis, underwent brain surgery and open heart surgery and is unable to work while regaining her health.

Education during Substance Abuse Recovery

At age 11, Andrew started experimenting with drugs and by age 13 was addicted to heroin. After multiple stays in detox and time in a halfway house, he was connected...