Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc.

1700 Maple Ave E

Mora, MN, 55051

320-679-1800

800-832-6082

The Promise of Community Action:

 

“Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live.  We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other”.

Community Action Agencies:   A Profile

 

CAAs are a critical source of support for the more than 34.6 million people living in poverty in the United States. 

 

CAAs are nonprofit, public or private organizations created to fight poverty at the local level.  The CAA network was established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which was signed by President Lyndon Johnson to declare an “unconditional War on Poverty”.

 

Today, Community Action Agencies can be found in 96% of the cities and counties in the United States, including the Trust Territories.  There are nearly 1,000 local CAAs connected by a national network that includes a national association, regional and state CAA associations, a national lobbying organization and a national association of Community Service Block Grant administrators.

 

Community Action professionals have over 40 years of experience in mobilizing and targeting scarce resources to best meet the needs of the low-income community.  CAA staff work closely and with great success in both the public and private domain, leveraging support from diverse sectors of the community.

Our Staff

 

Lakes and Pines CAC employs over 100 staff members who provide dedicated services with a personal connection between lower-income households and community resources.  Fifty staff members are housed within the central office facility in Mora, which includes administration personnel, fiscal and data processing technicians, secretarial support, fuel assistance certifiers, advocates, and program managers and coordinators overseeing project management.   Fifty-eight field staff provide valuable “hands-on” services, which includes weatherization crews, field managers, and a heating system specialist who provide energy-conservation measures to homes; family advocates, home visitors, classroom teachers, child care leads, and lead home visitors, providing case management and early childhood and family development services.

 

Staff also participate in a variety of community boards and committees, continually advocating for the lower-income.

 

Former US Senator Paul Wellstone stated our belief … “We are all better off when we are all better off”.

Acknowledgement of partnerships, volunteers

 

Lakes and Pines Community Action Council recognizes the dedication of its partners and volunteers that work with the Agency to help meet the Mission.   Many give so freely of their time and talent to help us reach into so many lives of the families, our neighbors. 

Our Advisory Councils

 

A variety of Advisory Councils help us to focus more locally on the causes and issues affecting the area’s low-income residents.

 

The Regional Housing Committee provides guidance in administering projects to overcome housing barriers that exist within our communities; including homeless services planning  ensuring compliance with administering the projects, selection of participants for MURL homes, advocating for more income-based housing.

 

Membership includes volunteers from community organizations, both private and public, and groups served (homeless representation). 

 

The Head Start Policy Council is comprised of parents elected from each community group, parents previously involved in the Program, and representatives from community organizations.

 

Head Start believes “Parents are Partners” in accomplishing the goals of building families.  An important part of this growth is helping adults develop new skills.  In addition to being the focus on the home visit, volunteering at socializations, and participating in group social times, parents form the policy making board for Head Start.

Our Board

 

 Lakes and Pines CAC Board of Directors

 

The 21 member Board assists with the development of policies, procedures and regulations to govern the operations of the 501(c)3 private, non-profit corporation, as well as to monitor the finances, programs and performance of the Agency.

 

The five key Board responsibilities are to:

· Work towards the Mission of the Agency and meet the needs of the lower-income people of the seven county area;

· Set policies that guide the Agency;

· Monitor the progress of the strategic plan for the non-profit’s growth and development;

· Monitor and approve budgets and financial reports;

· Provide the direction and support for the   administrator  (Executive Director)

 

By federal law, the Board of Directors of a Community Action Agency must be formed so as to include:

· 1/3 of its membership from the community at large representing business, industry, labor, faith groups, law enforcement, education or other major groups and interests in the community served;

· 1/3 public officials or their chosen representatives;

· 1/3 being persons representing low-income individuals and families in their local community.

Lakes and Pines Community Action Council Inc.

Private - Non Profit Corporation

About Us                                   

“Because it is right, because it is wise, and because, for the first time in our history, it is possible to conquer poverty; I submit, for the consideration of the Congress and the country, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.” President Lyndon Johnson.

 

In 1964, Congress passed legislation establishing the Office of Economic Opportunity.  It was part of President Lyndon Johnson’s dream of a better society for all people of the US, aimed at eliminating poverty. 

 

It was at that time the area’s county area officials came together to form and introduce into the seven county area of East Central Minnesota a new service organization...Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, Inc.

 

Lakes and Pines Community Action Council, Inc. had and still has as its major goal the defeat of America’s most severe condition, poverty.

 

Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization; a charitable, educational,  private, non-profit corporation serving the seven county area of:   Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine.

 

The Agency’s original staff of 10, which operated out of small office space in Braham, provided by East Central Energy, endeavored to discover where poverty was located, the causes of it and the possible correction for it.  The annual agency budget was $60,000 in 1964-65.

 

Today the Agency employs 108 staff and partners with hundreds of volunteers and community organizations. The Agency’s budget exceeds $8 million through federal, state and foundation contracts and grants.   Although the central office facility is housed in Mora, satellite offices and weatherization warehouses are located throughout the target area.