About Tri-CAP

Who We Are

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Past

The Community Action Agencies/Programs (CAAs or CAPs) started in the late 1960's as a result of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" that focused on: urban renewal projects, community organizing, beautification, etc. Federal monies were set aside to go directly to the newly formed CAP agencies—bypassing the local municipalities. This method of dispersing the money directly to the CAP agencies did not set well with the local municipalities. Mayor Richard Daly of Chicago led the protest and succeeded in having the money passed through a designated state agency. In Massachusetts, it is the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Tri-CAP incorporated in 1978 as one of the second wave of lesser funded Community Action Agencies/ Programs. Later, Tri-CAP became a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization and a Public Charity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Present

At present, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP) is one of 24 Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and one of more than 900 CAAs nationally. (Action for Boston Community Development [ABCD] is the largest CAA in the United States.) In addition to core services such as Head Start and daycare for preschoolers, housing and pro bono legal assistance, benefits enrollment, and fuel assistance, Tri-CAP's special initiatives include: the Tri-City Hunger Network of 13+ food pantries and meals programs, the Tri-City Workforce Development Task Force that focuses on jobs/training in local economic development projects, the Cyber Café @ Malden Square to lessen the digital divide for low-income residents, transitional and permanent (Single Room Occupancy [SRO] housing for homeless or formerly homeless individuals, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Individual Development Account (IDA) matched savings program, and Environmental Justice (EJ) Community Organizing through the Mystic River Watershed Collaborative. ARRA-/Stimulus-funded initiatives are: the Housing Resource Center, the Scholarship Program, the Youth Work Experience program (YWEP), English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes, and the Homeless Nutrition Program that delivers groceries and meals to families in emergency housing at local hotels/motels on Route 1.

Future

Tri-CAP continues to seek ways to fulfill its mission of "working together to eliminate poverty" by: increasing and strengthening core services such as housing and fuel assistance, and preschool education; expanding services to include education/training and support for out-of-school youth; and building the agency capacity to meet the emerging needs of the community as they arise. Tri-CAP invites you to partner with us as we move into the future.

Tri-CAP Board of Directors

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Executive Director

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Directors

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