CACCI’s Caronanne Procaccini and Kelly Hewitt had an empowering day at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of Community Action Programs (CAP) with representation from all 23 Massachusetts CAP’s participating. Speakers included: Denise Harlow, Chief Executive Officer of the National Community Action Partnership; David Bradley, Chief Executive Officer & co-Founder National Community Action Foundation; Mass. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll; featured speaker Elzie “LZ” Granderson, Op Ed Columnist LA Times & ABC News Contributor; and many others. The event emcee was Brittany Johnson, Investigative Reporter, WCVB Channel 5 Boston. Thanks to our MASSCAP Association for putting this successful event all together; 300 people attended!
From the MASSCAP Event Registration:
“In 1964, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act on July 2, and the Economic Opportunity Act on August 20. Other essential pieces of the War on Poverty and civil rights legislation were quick to follow and became intertwined from the federal level down to the grassroots level. Beginning that year and continuing in subsequent years, local coalitions of people used Economic Opportunity Act funding to establish Community Action Agencies (CAAs). The first grants were announced in November 1964, and—in typical Community Action fashion—1,600 new CAAs serving people in urban, suburban, rural, and frontier communities across America had been established by 1966.
For 60 years, Community Action has inspired a spirit of hope and helped millions of individuals and families connect to approaches that help them succeed, making communities—and our nation—stronger. Since the beginning, Community Action’s mission has extended well beyond supporting individuals and families. Community Action is skilled at bringing people and resources together in innovative ways to advance community-wide solutions to stubborn challenges.
Here in Massachusetts, we are 23 agencies strong serving every city and town in the Commonwealth with more than 100 programs and services tailored to meet the needs of the individuals and communities they serve.”
