National Community Action Partnership Affirms Its Core Values

(Washington, DC, May 29, 2020)—Our world is reckoning with a pandemic for which there is currently no cure. Already,
COVID-19 has taken 100,000+ lives in the US and it has consumed millions more. We mourn for all who have been infected
and affected by this crisis. In a very short time, the pandemic has shifted everyone’s reality and none of us will ever be the
same. While COVID-19 has unleashed a threat on the health and economy of our nation, it has also revealed a pre -existing
condition that places all of us at greaterrisk. The hierarchy of human value and to be more specific, RACISM, has served as
an activator that has accelerated the loss of life and disproportionate losses to important populations in our country. Persons
of color, who are in many cases, workers with low incomes and live in places that were already struggling are suffering great
physical, economic, and social harm.
During this very trying era, we feel it is important to put a marker down, especially given the racially charged events that have
played out in recent weeks and months. Murders in the African American community, attacks on Asian American owned
businesses, increasing numbers of murdered and missing indigenous women and girls, and the marginalization and
displacement of immigrants seeking refuge weigh on our already weakened hearts. Some a

 

ctions are recorded and shared
via social media allowing many to bear witness; while others remain unknown and unseen. While many have engaged in
social media activism in response to the atrocities, we are calling for everyone to move beyond the keystrokes of media
devices and to do more. It’s not enough to feign verbal and distant support for non-racist causes. We must move beyond that
into constructive anti-racist action that might even cause us to have to sacrifice the comfort or advantage that some of us
have. RACISM MUST END!
Currently there is no cure to the health pandemic nor the social pandemic. While we are one human family, both conditions
aim to separate us, both aim to weaken us, both aim to dehumanize us and threaten our well-being. During this season of
heightened social anxiety, Community Action affirms that our healing as a nation is tied to strengthening our connections as
neighbors, family members, co-workers, and communities. Our values assert, “We believe that all people should be treated
with dignity and respect and recognize that structural race, gender and other inequities remain barriers that must be
addressed.” If we truly believe this, we must live it.
We commit ourselves to the health and well-being of everyone and to problem-solving systems and structures that will
dismantle disparities and social determinants.
Almost 56 years ago, Community Action was born as part of the civil rights movement, and we continue to denounce all
forms of violence and any acts that dehumanize anyone. The words of the Community Action Promise articulate who we are
and what we believe, “We care about the entire community”. And, in love and unity, we will interrupt the darkness of this
time and will continue to “embody the spirit of hope”.
Community Action Promise: 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.