Twenty years ago, a young professional with a passion for community development made a decision that would shape not only his career, but the future of Community Action and the communities it serves. When Marc Perry joined Community Action in 2006 as Planning Director, he was returning home with a purpose. "I had the desire [...]
When Jacob Brown first came to Project Thrive, he was looking for something many of us take for granted—a chance to start over. “I needed a job. I needed skills,” Jacob shared. “But more than that, I needed to get myself in the right headspace again.” There was a time when Jacob’s life looked very [...]
When Shaqueeda Douglas says, “Community Action raised me,” she says it with certainty, gratitude, and pride. Shaqueeda first connected with Community Action, Inc. (CAI) at just 16 years old. Now 35, she reflects on nearly two decades of support, opportunity, and relationship—support that never wavered, even during her most difficult moments. “CAI never gives up [...]
When Emmanuel looks back on his childhood, the Community Sharing Garden isn’t just something he remembers—it’s something he grew up with. Emmanuel moved into his neighborhood about four years after the garden was first established. From his home, he watched it slowly take shape, expand, and evolve. In many ways, the garden grew alongside him. [...]
At Community Action, we see every day how powerful a second chance can be. But every so often, we witness a transformation so profound that it captures the very heart of why Project Thrive exists. Recently, one of our graduates stopped by the office — and his visit reminded us just how life‑changing this program [...]
In the spring of 2024, a single mother and her four children faced the devastating reality of homelessness. Forced to leave the basement they had been calling home, the family entered a period of uncertainty and hardship. But what followed was a powerful story of resilience, determination, and community support. Upon arriving at Twin Oaks [...]
“We were anxious, upset and close to becoming homeless.” It was a few weeks before Christmas when Cynthia’s landlord told her he was selling the house she and her sister were renting. He said the buyer planned to renovate the home and charge higher rent, so the sisters needed to move. They had just paid [...]
From a recent Google review:Community Action's Project Thrive, a funded program of United Way Blackhawk Region, teaches young people how to literally THRIVE! My son had issues in high school, Beloit Learning Academy, (BLA) and Job Corps. An unexpected turn of events caused him (a single father of two) to lose his job. Community Action [...]
When Sarah* first enrolled her son at Community Kids Learning Center, the two were staying at a domestic violence shelter. She didn’t have family in the area. “I had no job, no ID, no car. Nothing.” She and her two-year-old were homeless for nearly a year, living in shelters and motels. During that time, she [...]
Life was super rough before Community Action. I was homeless for four years. I had a couple suicide attempts. I was living outside in the snow. My daughter stayed with me but went to her mom’s house at night. I was trying to find an apartment, but I’m covered in tattoos. People see me and [...]