The Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc. (CAANH) is managed by an independent, non-government affiliated board. It is tri-partite, meaning the board must consist of a third of local public officials, (or an individual that is nominated to serve by an elected official and who is accepted by the board,) and a third of appointed community leaders that represents the low-income community or served by the agency. This unique structure gives clients an opportunity to help construct the programs that assist them, while giving those in the private and public sector a closer look at issues confronting low-income residents and senior citizens.
CAANH serves the largest number of customers and clients for social services in the greater New Haven region. Its programs and services consist of: Weatherization and Energy Assistance, Senior Services, Financial Education and Asset Development, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and a Youth Program.
CAANH offers pathways to prosperity to those in poverty in the Greater New Haven area through: Service - Collaboration - Advocacy - Knowledge Generation.
One participant, La'Donte, learned the importance of managing money and long-term savings. After leaving the program, he enrolled in Husson University in Bangor, Maine. He's currently in his third year pursuing a degree in Business Adminstration for which his MYF experience served him well. "anyone can benefit (from MYF), " he said. "It teaches you to save money, hold a job, and be resonsible."