Community Action of Allegan County

Lisa Evans, Executive Director

323 Water St
Allegan, MI 49010
info@communityactionallegan.org
269-673-5472
website

Community Action of Allegan County Mission Statement

The Community Action Agency of Allegan County will serve, advocate, and engage individuals, families and communities to overcome the effects of poverty and encourage self-reliance.

CAAC Values

  • Collaboration
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Quality Service
  • Stewardship
  • Hope
  • Dignity

CAAC carries out its mission through a variety of means including:

  • Community-wide needs assessments.
  • Comprehensive anti-poverty plans and strategies.
  • Provision of a broad range of direct services.
  • Mobilization of financial and non-financial resources.
  • Advocacy on behalf of low-income people.
  • Partnerships with other community-based organizations to overcome poverty and promote self sufficiency.

 

History of Community Action of Allegan County

On June 11, 1968 in Allegan County, the ACRDC (Allegan County Resource Development Committee, Inc.) was designated as the local Community Action Agency for Allegan County by the Allegan County Board of Supervisors, now known as the Allegan County Commissioners. The designation of a Community Action Agency affords entitlement for approved agencies like the ACRDC across the nation, to receive federal funds to provide services to residents living in Allegan County.

The Agency’s robust programs continue requiring funding from federal and state grants, local private citizens and companies, as well as from public resources. Although the ACRDC is a private organization, it is governed a non-profit company 501(C)(3) and is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who provide equal representation of the public, private and low-income sectors of Allegan County residents.

The year 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of community support by the ACRDC and their diligent efforts have made a large impact in the lives of thousands of people all across the large geographic county of Allegan. Its programs continue helping children, families, the elderly and pregnant mothers who may otherwise be in harms way.

The New ACRDC

In 2014, the ACRDC has formally adopted a new Mission that includes updating all programs, public outreach and its Branding in the community – in an effort to reach more families and to attract more funding. Under this new mission, the name of the Agency has been changed to Community Action of Allegan County. The Agency is working along with a team of professionals to improve and update all materials made available to the public, to create a brand new website that will continue growing in excellent content, to begin Social Outreach campaigns utilizing the latest social media channels such as Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and others — and to greatly improve the image of the Agency.

All of these efforts are taking place right now in an effort to educate the residents of Allegan and help them have better lives. From the corporate side, by bringing our programs and image into the current technology trends, we will be in a better position to attract donors and continuing growing the organization for the good of our local community.