As Congress debates the future of the federal budget, Rhonda Chisenhall, a longtime advocate and leader within the Community Action network, has issued a powerful opinion piece detailing the real-life consequences of reducing federal grant funding to Community Action Agencies.

In her piece, Chisenhall makes it clear: cutting these critical funds doesn’t just trim a line item—it takes away lifelines from the very people who rely on them most.

“When you cut funding to Community Action, you’re not cutting programs—you’re cutting access to food, housing, child care, transportation, and hope for thousands of families,” she writes.

For over 60 years, Community Action Agencies have served as the backbone of poverty-fighting efforts in rural towns and urban centers alike. Through Head Start, LIHEAP, job training, housing support, and more, these agencies are rooted in the communities they serve. But with proposed cuts on the table, many programs are at risk of being scaled back or shut down entirely.

Chisenhall’s message is a wake-up call: Funding cuts widen the gaps for families already working hard to overcome them.

We encourage elected officials, advocates, and community members to read and share her piece—and to contact Congress to demand full funding for the programs that uplift families every day.

📖 Read the full opinion piece here: [Full article]

📣 Take action. Protect Community Action.

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