The Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, which has been operating in Danbury under various names for about six decades, serves 20,000 people in the region. State Representatives Rachel Chaleski (R-Danbury), Martin Foncello (R-Brookfield), and Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) recently sat down with Executive Director Michelle James to learn more about the nonprofit and discuss the state's role in their operations.
The 501(c)3 nonprofit serves 25 towns in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties and is one of nine federally designated community action agencies in Connecticut.
Clients can come to CAAWC for help with SNAP, Husky, job searches, ESL classes, CNA training, and Danbury Works programming, among others. CAAWC also provides energy assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
“It was insightful and rewarding to learn more about this umbrella agency, under which are programs that I have specifically lent my support through policy and volunteering. When I learned that vendor participation in the LIHEAP program was waning due to rising costs on businesses, I proposed a bill in my first year as a legislator to establish a more fair reimbursement system that ultimately passed by way of the biennium budget,” said Rep. Chaleski. “I also answered the call for volunteer assistance at the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger food drive, where donations were sorted and delivered to the Community Food Rescue housed at this CAAWC location. I am grateful for all that this organization provides to our communities, especially knowing its leadership is dedicated to running a tight ship in adhering to all federal, state and local regulations.”
CAAWC has had to scale back their Diaper Program as funding has dried up. It's a partnership with Nuvance Health at Danbury Hospital for clients with newborns.
The organization also runs a daycare center on Balmforth Avenue with funding from the Office of Early Childhood and School Readiness. A new preschool program is getting ready to open at New Hope Baptist Church next month.
CAAWC employs 75 people across their operations.
Photo (L-R): Rep. Martin Foncello, Rep. Rachel Chaleski, CAAWC Executive Director Michelle James, Rep. Mitch Bolinsky