Mission & History

Christian Community Action, Inc. is a not-for-profit ecumenical social service organization located in New Haven, Connecticut. Its mission is to express faithful witness by:

 

1. providing emergency food, housing and support to those who are poor in New Haven;

 

2. encouraging them in their efforts to attain self-sufficiency, and

 

3. working to change systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice.

 

Other programs offered by CCA include after-school programs and a children’s summer program, fuel assistance, Diaper Bank and food basket distribution at Thanksgiving to more than 1,000 families.

 

Now in its fourth decade of service, CCA continues to be a force for community building and social change.

 

CCA got its start as part of suburban "living room" dialogues held in 1966 between Catholics and Protestants, regarding how best to put their Christian faith into action. This led to direct assistance to victims of a fire on Congress Avenue in 1967.

 

It was on Congress Avenue that CCA had its first office, under the direction of the Rev. David Nehring. This office became the focus of urban encounter programs, crisis intervention, emergency housing and outreach between the inner city and the suburbs.

 

CCA moved to its current facility at 168 Davenport Avenue in 1971. There, CCA expanded its emergency housing, crisis intervention, coalition building, welfare reform and educational efforts. In 1978, CCA acquired the adjacent property at 166 Davenport Avenue, adding three more emergency housing units.

 

In December 1984, the city-owned New Haven Family Shelter at 124 Sylvan Avenue was partially opened under CCA operation. After structural problems were corrected, the entire building was opened in 1986. The facility provided an additional 10 apartments for emergency housing.

 

In 1998, after years of planning, the Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program was opened at 660 Winchester Avenue. This facility houses 18 apartments, the Stan Preisner Computer Learning Center, an after school program, and an activity rroom for resident families and their children. Also housed within the facility is the Dixwell / Newhallville Community Mental Health Center. Stepping Stone also houses rooms for workshops, a children’s library, and a laundry facility.