Commemorating Our 40th Anniversary & Celebrating Community Action Month
The Community Action Network celebrates Community Action Month each May. During this month, member organizations across the U.S. celebrate our positive impact and bring visibility to the collective power and strength of the nearly 1,000 Community Action organizations helping hardworking families achieve economic stability.
At Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC), we’re particularly excited about Community Action Month this year, because in 2026 we’re commemorating 40 years of service! For four decades, CAP-HC has worked alongside our community to reduce poverty, promote stability, and create pathways to opportunity. And there’s no better time to reflect on this milestone than during Community Action Month.
Celebrating Community Action Month
Community Action Month (CAM) is rooted in a simple but powerful idea:
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and helps people help themselves and each other.
—Excerpt from the Promise of Community Action
At CAP-HC, this promise has guided our work since 1986. Every program we offer—from Energy Assistance to Financial Wellness—exists to help individuals and families build brighter, more stable futures.
Strengthening Community for 40 Years
As we mark our 40th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the thousands of lives touched through our programs and partnerships. Over the years, CAP-HC has:
- Helped families stay safe and warm through utility assistance programs
- Helped families remain in their homes through housing stability programs
- Facilitated vehicle repairs so that people can safely and reliably get to their jobs and their children’s schools
- Provided financial coaching and resources to build long-term stability
- Partnered with community members to create lasting, local solutions
Behind every data point, there are hundreds, even thousands of stories about people who have overcome challenges, reached goals, and built new opportunities with support from CAP-HC.
Stories, Positive Impact, and Celebration
CAM is a chance to bring these stories to life. Throughout May, we’ll be:
- Sharing client success stories that highlight real impact
- Highlighting our history with throwback moments from the past 40 years
- Celebrating staff, partners, and community members who make this work possible
You can read some of the stories clients have shared with us over the years on our Client Stories web page.
Looking Ahead
This month and our 40th Anniversary year aren’t just about looking back—they’re about building momentum for the future. While we’re proud of our 40 years of service, we know there is more work ahead of us. Community needs continue to evolve, and CAP-HC must listen, adapt, and innovate in response to those changing needs.
We know that real change happens when communities come together—when neighbors support neighbors, and when local solutions are driven by the people they serve. CAM and our 40th Anniversary are also opportunities for us to renew our commitment to providing resources that help everyone in Hennepin County thrive.
Get Involved
We invite you to join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a stronger future.
Here are a few simple ways you can get involved:
- Like, comment on, and share our posts to help spread awareness on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Make a direct, local impact—your donation in any amount helps families in Hennepin County stabilize
- If CAP-HC has made a positive difference in your life or the life of someone you know, share your success story as an inspiration to others
- Play a role in fighting the cycle of poverty by becoming a volunteer