Program Initiatives
Advocacy and Education Project (AEP)
AEP seeks to fulfill CCA’s commitment to change systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice. It works to ensure that people are empowered to use their voice and experiences to make changes in public policy.
CCA has a three-pronged approach to its advocacy. First, from the people who have received services but still have barriers to independence. Second, program data and service information that document gaps in services. Both the people’s stories and experiences together with data help us then, to advocate for necessary policy changes on local and state levels to ultimately improve quality of life and create a pathway to independence.
Mothers and Others for Justice (MOFJ)
MOFJ is a grassroots initiative of AEP. Founded in 1993 as Mothers for Justice by women seeking to influence welfare reform efforts, by 2018 the group included members who were not mothers and its name was revised to reflect all its members committed to social, economic and racial justice.
Members use their individual and collective voices to influence state and local policy and decision makers to implement solutions that help people to become self-sufficient. Their participation is transformative, with many returning to school, serving their communities, working on political campaigns, or running for office. Issues being addressed by MOFJ include: affordable housing, safe communities, and quality healthcare for all Connecticut residents, spearheaded by the working group, HEALTH (Helping Everyone Achieve Life-Time Healthcare).