WHAT WE DO
CAAS addresses poverty in our community and the root causes of economic injustice by providing wraparound services to our neighbors and actively engaging in holistic community work.
Read more about our core programs below: Head Start (a free preschool program), Housing Advocacy Program (HAP), Community Organizing & Advocacy, and Free Tax Preparation Assistance (VITA).
Head Start
CAAS Head Start is a free comprehensive developmental preschool program that provides a variety of wrap-around services to approximately 275 low-income children and their families each year. Components of this program include extensive support in the economic, social, health, nutritional and psychological domains. Parent- and family-targeted services include: adult education, such as classes on child development; English as a second language (ESOL); case management and economic mobility planning; and referrals and assistance coordinating external supports. Head Start serves low-income residents of Somerville and Cambridge.
Housing Advocacy Program
The Housing Advocacy Program (HAP) provides a wide range of services to low-income individuals at risk of homelessness each year, including preventing evictions through advocacy with landlords and in district court and maximizing income by improving access to public benefits. Case management targeting the root causes of housing affordability helps prevent future crises. HAP serves Somerville residents with incomes up to 80% of area median income (AMI).
Community Organizing & Advocacy
The Community Organizing & Advocacy program takes a systematic approach to advancing CAAS’ mission by engaging low-income residents in collectively pushing for social change. Activities include: 1) creating and cultivating relationships with Somerville's low-income community; 2) educating and empowering residents on their legal rights and resources as renters in private and public housing; 3) developing resident leadership and facilitating their aspirations to improve our community; and 4) creating campaigns to further CAAS’ mission to end poverty, informed and led by residents and communities who are marginalized by or underrepresented in current institutions of power.
Free Tax Assistance
The free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides low- and moderate-income families with free tax preparation assistance. VITA can help reduce the tax burden on families and help them get back money that can be used to build savings or pay off debts.
Learn about the Somerville Cares Fund.
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Need Help?
Not sure where to turn? CAAS might be able to help, and we speak Español, Português, and more.
