Oregon's Poverty Fighting Network

Community Action Stories

Fighting Poverty. Helping People.

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) throughout the state fight poverty by providing a variety of services like food, shelter, housing, asset building, childcare, employment, and transportation for Oregonians in need, including seniors, children, migrant farmworkers, veterans, and those fleeing domestic violence. Here are some of the stories of families and individuals who are thriving with support they are getting from their local CAA.

Contact Us

Are you looking for data or information about programs that fight poverty in Oregon? Contact: Janet Merrell, Executive Director, Community Action Partnership of Oregon. 

If you are an individual in need of help, please see our map to find the Community Action Agency that provides services in your area. Then get in touch with them to start moving your family toward safe, stable, affordable housing.

Community Action Stories

Mr. Arthur
CAPO’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) in Klamath Falls works with many local military service clubs, nonprofit organizations, and businesses.
Linda and Jim
A Community Action of Washington County (CAO) weatherization success story.
Homeless in Southern Oregon
Take a deep dive into homelessness in Southern Oregon.
Marion
NeighborImpact helped Marion, 82, weatherize her home of 20+ years to reduce her energy costs and make her beloved home safe and comfortable.
Multnomah DCHS Weatherization Program
Jaycob explains the Multnomah Department of County Human Services Weatherization Program.
Maria and Margarita
Vital repairs help mother, daughter remain in their home.
Lisa
Domestic violence forced a mother and two sons from their home. Despite having family willing to help, Lisa needed additional supports to rebuild her life and care for her boys.
Suzanne
MCCAC helped this family move into a new apartment in time for school.
Charles
A housing scam left Charles and his wife living in their car for more than a year. They now have a comfortable home.
Katie
Katie needed more than her current job provided in order to cover the costs of childcare and afford appropriate housing.
Deanna
With little more than the clothes on their backs, Deanna and her son escaped domestic violence but found it much more difficult than expected to find a job and a new home.
Cherrie and Eric Schwartz
Young love is what brought Eric and Cherrie Schwartz to Central Oregon in 1971. A love of family, fresh air, and their charming log home is what kept them here. So when the couple’s heating system failed last spring, they were worried sick about how to afford a new one. Would they have to take …

Cherrie and Eric Schwartz Read More »

Jessica
MCCAC used EHA funds and connected her with a caseworker who helped her develop a short-term plan to keep her housed until her benefits came through.
Karen and Viktor
This young couple was able to address their complex array of needs because HOAP helped them navigate an equally complex system.
Sam and Maya
Facing disability, unemployment, and a medical emergency, Maya turned to MCCAC for help securing housing.
Ana and Vanessa
These two teenage moms struggled, until case management and housing support helping them into safe stable homes of their own. Learn more about Insights Teen Parent Services.
Bodhi
Bodhi shares his story and reflects on how the right support can change lives for the better.
Ellen
Ellen’s declining health led to the loss of her job, then the loss of her home. A hand up from MCCAC helped her reestablish a safe, affordable home.

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