Who We Are
HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the lives of families and individuals in our communities. Our mission is to break down the barriers of poverty through a wide range of programs and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of those we serve.
We believe in the power of collaboration, working alongside for-profit businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local community members to create stronger, healthier communities. Together, we aim to foster a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. As one of 16 community action agencies in Iowa, HACAP is part of a larger network of over 1,000 agencies nationwide. We are dedicated to connecting our low-income neighbors with essential resources and services designed to reduce poverty and empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.
HACAP serves the following counties in Iowa: Benton, Dubuque, Delaware, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington. If you are outside of our service area, please find your local Community Action Program by visiting: iowacommunityaction.org.
Our Mission
Helping people develop skills to become successful and build strong communities.
Our Vision
A thriving community where all people have the opportunities for success.
Guiding Principles
We are innovative, we are partners, we are responsive, we are leaders, we are HACAP.
Promise of Community Action
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.
Our History
1965: HACAP was first formed following the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act.
1964: Began services in Linn County. The Economic Opportunity Act would provide for the development of community action programs that would supply: "services, assistance, and other activities...to give promise of progress toward elimination of poverty." (EOA of 1964, Sec. 202a). This federal law laid out to minimize the negative impacts of low-wage incomes upon families and the community overall.
1974: Weatherization program is added by the Department of Energy (DOE) to help improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families.
1981: The Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program is created to support the efforts of Iowa’s community action agencies in alleviating the causes and conditions of poverty in their communities.
1983: HACAP joins Second Harvest (now Feeding America) an organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.
2020: Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson counties are added bringing HACAP's current total service area to nine Eastern Iowa counties.
