Community Action Agencies, Minnesota Community Action Partnership

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.

– The Promise of Community Action

Semcac is a Community Action Agency and part of the Minnesota Community Action Partnership network, consisting of 24 agencies plus Indigenous Tribes across the State of Minnesota. Also, Minnesota is part of the National Community Action network of over 1,000 agencies, nationwide. Community Action celebrates 60 years of helping people and changing lives in 2024.

Semcac Mission

Empower and advocate for people to enhance their self-sufficiency by maximizing community resources.

Semcac Vision

Thriving individuals, families and communities leading a vibrant southeast Minnesota region.

Core Values of Semcac

Passion to Serve

We are committed to providing outstanding services supported by caring, compassionate staff, earning the trust of all.

Integrity

We are led by our mission, vision and values, considering them in all our decision making as we continually seek to improve our services.

Respect

We treat everyone fairly and with dignity by listening and acknowledging different viewpoints.

Accountability

We are honest, responsible stewards of all resources entrusted to us.

History

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s War on Poverty. CAAs help people to help themselves in achieving self-reliance. Today there are approximately 1,000 CAAs, serving the poor in 96 percent of the counties within the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Trust Territories. CAAs are a primary source of direct support for the more than 34.5 million people who live in poverty in the United States. There are currently 26 community action agencies in the State of Minnesota and most are private, non-profit corporations.

Although programs and services have changed over the years since the agency’s founding in 1966, Semcac remains dedicated to fighting poverty and helping people help themselves and each other.

Annual Report

Publications & Reports

County Impact Reports

Read about numbers served in each county by Semcac programs in the county impact reports below. The 2024 County Impact Reports are currently being drafted, updated county reports will be posted below as they are available.

Voter Registration & Voting Information

Semcac fully recognizes the importance of citizen participation in the political process, at local, state, and national levels. Exercising one’s right to become a registered voter and taking on the responsibility of voting is not only good citizenship but a mark of community leadership and personal empowerment.

Minnesotans – Visit the Secretary of State site to register to vote and for more information about voting, such as where you can go to vote (find your polling place) and to check if you are already registered to vote. You can view what is on your ballot, as well.

You are eligible to vote if you:

A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years old on Election Day
A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote

About Us