Poverty has many faces.

The face of poverty in Rhode Island is not as you might image.  It includes two-income working families, seniors, single parents, men and women who have lost their jobs, those who cannot work because of illness or disabilities, and people who can only find minimum wage work because they lack education and job skills.  It is estimated that in Rhode Island almost 12% of the population and 18% of children live at or below the poverty level.

The RI Community Action Association is a statewide network of eight Community Action Programs (CAP agencies) who, for over forty years, have been the safety net for economically disadvantaged and working poor families.  Individually and collectively the agencies are working to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty and to open doors to self-sufficiency and better lives.

We are committed to empowering individuals and families to help themselves, as we have for over forty years.  Rhode Island CAA's have a proven capacity to address community needs with dedication and creativity.  We understand the root causes of poverty, and continue to be steadfast in our commitment to helping people and changing lives in all of Rhode Island Communities.

Rhode Island CAA's are prepared to address the future with hope and determination.

Since our establishment by Congress and the President as a community action network over 40 years ago, RI's Community Action Agencies continue to act as catalysts for change, testing new initiatives and developing innovative methods to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty.

As a single force network, we provide necessary support to struggling individuals and families, encourage them along the path to self-sufficiency, and advocate on behalf of those attempting to lift themselves out of the grinding reality of poverty in America.

In Rhode Island, our eight (8) separate 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporations work daily to strengthen individuals and families, open doors to self-sufficiency, and improve communities throughout the entire State.  Rhode Island's networks of Community Action Agencies (CAA's) are also familiarly referred to as CAP's (community action programs).

Community Action Agencies collectively employ more than 1,000 people and serve over 170,000 Rhode Islanders annually.  The agencies' staffs serve with knowledge, energy, and compassion to achieve the best possible outcomes for every client, and to make our communities and economy better for everyone.