Mission

For more than 60 years, Community Action has helped address and alleviate the symptoms of poverty by fostering a more connected and resilient community through our services. Too often, hardworking families face challenges alone. We believe asking for help is a sign of strength. 

Our proactive approach helps families achieve economic stability by addressing challenges before they become significant problems. Across housing, parenting support, early childhood education, and economic empowerment, we make assistance accessible and provide the guidance, resources, and community connections needed to build long-term independence. Bolstered by a culturally diverse staff, we reflect the community we serve—one where every person deserves an opportunity to succeed.

We serve over 38,000 Washington County, Oregon residents each year.

Guided by Our Values

  • Icon of people figures surrounded by a network of connected dots, symbolizing community or teamwork.

    Community

    We value community by supporting our neighbors in need and integrating collaborative efforts into all we do.

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    Empathy

    We value empathy by striving to understand each individual's circumstances and providing tailored support to uplift them.

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    Service

    We value service through an unwavering dedication to helping others and making a lasting impact in our community.

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    Equity

    We value equity by meeting people where they are, respecting diverse backgrounds and experiences, and ensuring everyone has what they need to achieve economic success.

A History of Compassion

Community Action started its work in 1965 as the Washington County Community Action Organization. The foundation of our work began after President John F. Kennedy introduced legislation that became the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, championed and enacted by his successor, President Lyndon Johnson after urging Congress to take a firm stand against poverty.

Sharing that passion, Community Action has since been committed to helping families transition out of poverty and break the cycle for future generations.

Diverse family posing at doorway, featuring two adults and two kids, one adult holding a toddler and the other holding a child.
An elderly couple standing on a porch, with the woman in the foreground wearing a floral blouse and the man in the background wearing a striped shirt and cap.
Elderly woman gardening with gloves, standing behind a garden bed with young plants and soil, wooden fence in background.

Our Equity Statement

Community Action envisions a community where residents are strong, resilient, and live with dignity. We believe eliminating poverty and creating opportunities for all requires recognizing the role race plays in our society. Data shows people of color in Washington County experience poverty at twice the rate of white residents. To fulfill our mission, we must confront how systemic racism limits opportunities for some while benefiting others. 

Achieving equity means ensuring everyone’s needs are met, regardless of their identity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, or age. Community Action strives to be an equitable organization, actively working to identify systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy and take action to disrupt them. We recognize the deep impact of white supremacy in systems of justice, housing, education, and more. Addressing these systems of inequity is essential for creating opportunity for all.

The work toward equity is ongoing on individual, cultural, and institutional levels. It requires active listening, self-reflection, and courage. Community Action is committed to advancing equity within our organization and community at large, and we will hold ourselves accountable to this mission. We pledge to report on our progress and how it impacts our work.