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2024 marks the 60th year since the Community Action network was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. Over 1,000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors, making communities stronger and helping families across the US thrive.

“Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact Mid Michigan Community Action and our network has had on families,” said Jill Sutton, Executive Director of Mid Michigan Community Action. “Last year alone, we served 14,532 people from Muskegon to Bay City, and the network served over 15 million across the country with immediately needed services such as housing and food, and long-term solutions like weatherization and early childhood education.” 

Community Action Agencies serve America with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. “We are proud of our communities’ participation in the development and oversight of our programs,” said Sutton. “Their engagement helps us to be more effective in our approach by determining what our communities need.” 

To honor the commitment to community-led solutions, Mid Michigan Community Action is launching its triennial Community Needs Assessment. The assessment analyses Census data, labor statistics, and most importantly, community survey and focus group findings. To complete the Community Needs Assessment survey, visit www.mmcaa.org/cna. Details on the virtual and in-person focus groups are available through the survey, on the website, and across social media @MidMichiganCommunityAction. 
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Mid Michigan Community Action is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action network, which was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is conducting a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to determine how best to help low-income individuals and families.

The CNA examines where a community is at present and projects what needs it will have for the next three years. It helps Mid Michigan CAA decide what programs are needed and if any new programs may be needed in the future. As a grantee of the Community Services Block Grant, Mid Michigan CAA is required to perform a CNA every three years.

“After the rapid-fire changes of the last year including the pandemic, the flooding, and remote working, in addition to the regular evolution of our communities, the CNA will provide an invaluable insight into the needs of those we serve,” said Jill Sutton, Executive Director of Mid Michigan CAA. “We ask everyone who is able to complete the survey as the more comprehensive view we have, the more effective we can be.”

The CNA uses current census data, labor statistics, health survey data and most importantly, a community survey. Altogether this year’s CNA should be the most robust assessment conducted in several years. To complete the CNA survey, visit www.mmcaa.org/cna. The survey will be available until June 30th, 2021.

“Using the data we gather, we will be able to examine both which needs are a priority for local residents as well as why those needs exist to address them as efficiently as possible, furthering our goal to empower neighborhoods and eliminate poverty,” said Sutton.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.