Latest updates
We need you to take action for housing justice! Email our State Legislature by Friday, February 2nd at 5:00 PM and tell them that our city needs rent control now.
Nicole Eigbrett shares thanks to the community members who have made the last few years possible.
The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is announcing that Nicole Eigbrett, Director of Community Organizing, will be stepping down after almost four years leading this vital program in mid-February 2024.
CAAS is excited to announce our first Danceathon fundraiser! Join the Somerville Shakeup and help us raise money to continue the fight against poverty and economic injustice in our city.
2023 brought changes, surprises, challenges, and successes at every turn. With so many notable moments, we wanted to look back at the year, celebrate the progress that has been made in a short twelve months, and look ahead at what’s to come. Thank you for making this year one that our community can end proudly.
October marks Head Start Awareness Month, a time to reflect on this program and celebrate the lives it’s changed, both across the nation and right here in our community! We’re taking a look back at the history of the Head Start and sharing facts about the program that you might not have known about!
What does it take to build a movement that not only attempts to, but succeeds in, winning funding for affordable housing? Here's a look into the process from our Somerville FY24 City Budget Campaign.
We sat down with Jordan Harris, CAAS Board President and Pastor at Connexion, to learn more about how he got involved with anti-poverty advocacy and his experience being on the CAAS Board of Directors!
The state's 23 community action agencies pressed for about a decade to secure more dedicated funding from the state, pitching their work as a crucial way to help vulnerable Bay Staters navigate anything from job training to housing insecurity.
We’re thrilled to announce the release of the CAAS 2022 Annual Report! We’re sharing program overviews, reflecting on the work we’ve done together, and sharing stories from the clients we serve.
May is Community Action Month! This month, we’re celebrating the power that we hold as communities to work together and end poverty.
Biani is a rising junior at Tufts University majoring in International Relations and minoring in Cultural Anthropology and Arabic. Through the Tufts Tisch Scholars program, they served as the 2022-23 ERN Member Coordinator under the Community Organizing & Advocacy program.
Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? Volunteers play an essential role in CAAS’s mission to end poverty and build equitable systems in Somerville, so we want to highlight their contributions and celebrate their impact!
Domestic violence survivors are already at an increased risk for housing instability and eviction. In the midst of our affordable housing crisis, open access to these records is further narrowing survivors’ housing options.
Access to early childhood education is not a colorblind issue, and we cannot achieve equity in early education if we do not think about the ways race impacts our childcare systems. Black families face more barriers to quality childcare compared to White families, and a workforce largely consisting of women of color is one of the lowest paid groups nationwide.
This month, we sat down with Head Start teacher Yashmina to learn more about her experience in the classroom! She shared her experience planning curriculum and working with parents to create healthy and engaging classroom environments. She also reminded us of just how much we can learn from children while we teach them!
Welcome to CAAS Staff Spotlight #5! This time, we’re talking with Michael, Specialist Case Manager here at CAAS. Michel works directly with clients to help navigate challenging benefits systems, and is committed to making this process more accessible.
January represents a time for change, with the end of holiday celebrations ushering in a wave of resolutions. January is also National Poverty Awareness Month. This year, the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is shining a light on this critical issue and calling for more action against the root causes of poverty and understanding for those experiencing it. We ask you to join us to think more critically about poverty and use this start to the year to reflect on how we understand the issue in our community.
We sat down with Ashley Tienken, Director of the Housing Advocacy Program (HAP) here at CAAS, to talk about the process the Housing Advocacy Program team made in 2022 and what they hope to achieve in 2023. Housing is one of the most pressing issues in Somerville, and the HAP team plays a vital role in helping to meet the needs of our community members. We’re looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store!
We sat down with Jessie Leonard, Director of the Head Start program here at CAAS, to talk about the process the Head Start team made in 2022 and what they hope to achieve in 2023. From continuing a return to classroom and supporting students’ mental and emotional wellness, it’s been an exciting year of growth and change for Head Start. We’re looking forward to see what comes next!
Welcome to CAAS staff spotlight #4! This time, we’re talking with Margarita, one of our Head Start teachers here at CAAS! Margarita has taught hundreds of our Head Start students at CAAS, and her passion for the work clearly continues to grow each year.
We sat down with Nicole Eigbrett, Director of the Community Organizing & Advocacy (CO&A) program here at CAAS , to talk about the progress the CO&A team has made in 2022 and what they hope to achieve in 2023.
Welcome to CAAS Staff Spotlight #3! This time, we’re meeting Sam, one of the Community Organizers here at CAAS who works to mobilize tenants and harness the power of collective action!
Last week, the Community Organizing and Advocacy team at CAAS partnered with City Life / Vida Urbana to host the Save Our Neighborhoods: Organize Against Displacement Panel and Workshop.
This is CAAS Staff Profile #2, featuring Sydney! Sydney is a Health Specialist with the Head Start Program here at CAAS, and has been making sure our students and teachers have a safe and healthy classroom to come back to this fall!