Cac - Meridan Center

The Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) started in 1964 as a 15-member Community Action Committee that was appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. CAC was incorporated as a private non-profit organization in May of 1967. In October of that year, CAC began operating a seniors program, and in 1969 started an adult job-training program. CAC has gradually expanded to to include the wide array of programs available today including:

Learning experiences and high quality care for children age 0-5
Job training, education, and mentoring for teens and young adults
Leadership, involvement, and educational opportunities for parents
Healthy daily meals for children and seniors
Improvements that make homes warmer, safer and more energy-efficient

Many highly successful local programs – including the Community Housing Corporation, the Friendship Center, Shelter Services for Women, and Easy Lift – had their beginnings at CAC, then moved into their own right within the community.

Although we’ve made incredible progress in the fight against poverty – now at approximately 15% of the population– there’s still plenty of work to do. And we are committed to ending poverty in Santa Barbara County.