Access Community Action Agency

To build equitable access to resources that increase food security, access to safe decent affordable housing and pathways to jobs and other keys to self-reliance. Our objectives are the following:
Recude isolation of senior housing residents
Increase outreach and engagement with those at-risk-of or experiencing homelessness
Increase energy assistance services
Increase community awareness and volunteer opportunities to help those in need
Provide leadership that will lead to a collaborative community response to the lack of affordable and accessible transportation
Provide access to food via our food pantries, assistance with application to state/federal programs that provide food assistance such as WIC, SNAP & CACFP

Access Community Action Agency is deeply committed to addressing several of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, good health & well-being, affordable clean energy, decent economic growth, and reduced inequalities. To achieve these goals, Access implements a comprehensive set of strategies:
Firstly, Access prioritizes equitable access to food security to combat hunger and promote well-being among low-income individuals.
Secondly, Access works to ensure equitable access to safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income communities, thereby reducing inequalities within the community.
Moreover, Access facilitates pathways to employment and self-reliance, particularly for vulnerable populations, to foster decent economic growth and reduce disparities.
Furthermore, Access focuses on building the capacity of organizations serving low-income populations to effectively address community needs.
These strategies are guided by the principles of Results Oriented Management (ROM) and Accountability (ROA). Through ROM principles, Access assesses needs, defines missions, identifies improvements, and organizes initiatives effectively. Meanwhile, ROA principles guide Access in developing processes for measurement, utilizing outcome information for decision-making, and encouraging coordination and advancement among stakeholders.
By adhering to these principles, Access Community Action Agency aims to maximize its impact on poverty reduction and community development. Through continuous growth and improvement, Access strives to contribute significantly to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, thereby promoting sustainable development and well-being for all members of the community.

Access Community Action Agency is well-equipped with a robust set of capabilities to effectively meet its goals, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals and communities in need.
To address immediate needs related to food insecurity and homelessness, Access operates two stationary food pantries, one mobile food pantry, emergency shelter and youth shelter providing meals three times a day to our guests. Additionally, Access offers case management services to assist clients in accessing food benefit programs and collaborates with local agencies for a comprehensive approach to tackling food insecurity.
In terms of housing support, Access manages emergency shelters, cold weather overnight shelters, and six homelessness prevention programs, including rapid rehousing and supportive housing for families. Furthermore, Access runs programs to facilitate homeownership for first-time low-income individuals and ensures support for seniors at our four housing sites equipped with resident service coordinators.
Access is committed to employment assistance through programs like Access to Employment and Crossroads, offering job skills training and financial literacy education. Case management services aid in job searches, resume writing and connecting individuals with higher educational and job training opportunities.
Moreover, Access's community health workers address social determinants of health including ensuring access to health-related appointments by tackling transportation barriers.
Employee satisfaction is a priority at Access, with an 80% staff satisfaction rate and a strong agency culture. Workplace safety is emphasized, and all staff have access to empowering technologies and receive ongoing training. Access also aims for 100% completion of quarterly and annual performance reviews and ensures that data collected informs service delivery improvements.
Facility maintenance is meticulously managed, with timely completion of 90% of maintenance requests. Risk management practices are rigorous, with annual reviews of the Risk Management Plan.
Access pursues sustainable revenue growth through property management and fund development initiatives. Additionally, volunteers and interns play a vital role in supporting agency infrastructure.
Continuous improvement is a core value, with actions taken to enhance engagement with Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I-D-E-A) initiatives. Access invests in staff training and builds collaborative partnerships with formal agreements and informal productive partnerships.
Lastly, Access aims to enhance regional transportation access and improve the environment of its food pantries. The agency seeks to secure resources for purchasing and renovating structures to expand service delivery and community impact.