WHO WE ARE

Our Mission

To diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families, and children in need.

We resolve to meet our community’s needs quickly, strategically, thoughtfully, and always with compassion. We strive to actualize opportunities within reach of the families we serve. By layering our five critical services of early childhood education, energy assistance, food assistance, housing assistance, and weatherization assistance, we guide a family from crisis to stability and ultimately to self-sufficiency. This can help create a pathway through and out poverty or just provide a hand up when one is needed. No matter who seeks our services or why, our priority is always Howard County families’ long-term stability.

Our Purpose

For 60 years, the Community Action Council of Howard County, MD Inc. (CAC) has served as the county’s designated non-profit anti-poverty organization. As part of a nationwide network of Community Action Agencies, CAC helps hard-working individuals and families overcome economic challenges and achieve lasting self-sufficiency.

CAC delivers impact through five core service areas:

Early Childhood Education (including Early Head Start, Head Start, and MSDE-funded Pre-K), Food Assistance (at CAC’s Howard County Food Bank, Community Garden, and partner pantries), Housing Assistance, Energy Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance.

The Promise of Community Action

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. – National Community Action Partnership

Learn More About Our Programs

OUR IMPACT SNAPSHOT

FY2025 Stats

STUDENTS EDUCATED

FAMILIES SAVED FROM HOMELESSNESS

MEALS DISTRIBUTED

FAMILIES KEPT THEIR LIGHTS ON

HOMES WEATHERIZED

Testimonials

“They say it takes a village or a community to raise a child and I felt that help with CAC. They had given family meals, Thanksgiving feasts, and one Christmas we had been sponsored by a very generous person. That day I cried. How could someone who knows nothing about my family help me in such a way? I had CAC and Head Start to thank for that.”
– Brianna, Early Childhood Education Parent

“I remember the first time I came to the food bank. After I loaded up my car, it brought me to tears. I was thankful to God and the people here because it’s a great thing that they are doing. I want to tell anyone else not to be too proud to reach out and ask for help.”
– Eduardo, Food Assistance Client