As we publish this inaugural edition of our agency’s
is comprehensive in its offering and broad in its
Annual Report to the Community it is important to
reach. Bigger is not necessarily better, but there
look back and reflect on another year of success in
is some economy of scale in operating as a large
delivering results that have met the needs of families
non-profit. We have trained and capable staff, the
and communities of Alabama. Ours is a special
best use of technology and above average facilities.
calling. As a company with over 500 employees and
As we address the issues of poverty we do so as
the mission of ‘reducing or eliminating the causes
a business. We take our work seriously and we
and consequences of poverty’ our field of operation
certainly take our role as a recipient of federal, state
is large and our task is daunting. The causes of
and local dollars very seriously. In some ways we
poverty are many. Understanding those causes
are more accountable than a normal stockholder
and then dealing with the consequences is a never-
held business. Our ‘investor’ is the tax payer and we
ending battle. The burden on families has increased
will be good stewards of those dollars.
with the stress of a national economic crisis and high unemployment. Communities are struggling due to
Peter Drucker, in his book Managing the Non-
storm-related disasters and shifting populations. In
Profit Organization said that every non-profit
these and in many other ways the Partnership is
should have two traits: 1) A Clear Definable Mission
working to ‘help people and change lives’ as it says
and 2) Measurable Results. As you read through
on our brand.
this Annual Report I believe both will emerge and allow you to see the Community Action Partnership
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As the largest non-profit in north Alabama and
of North Alabama as the premiere, preferred non-
one of the largest in the State, the Partnership
profit partner. That is our Vision and I believe that