Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency

06/18/2026

06/16/2026

Benton Harbor parents!

06/04/2026

As always we're so grateful for our incredible friends at Berrien County Farm Bureau! Thank you for your donation to the SMCAA and for showing how much you care about supporting the vulnerable members of your community

06/01/2026

We're taking applications for our FREE Weatherization program, and summer is the perfect time to prepare your home for the winter cold.

Weatherization services can include insulation, weather stripping, furnace repairs, air sealing, and much more. Not only will this help keep your home warmer and safer when the Michigan snow starts to fly - it will also keep it cooler when next year's summer heat hits as well.

AND you'll see the difference in those reduced energy bills. Weatherization will help bring down the cost of heating and cooling, with the big added bonus of improving your air quality and making your home safer and more effective overall.

Want to find out if you qualify? Check out the easy checklist on our website, and, if you meet the basic requirements, set up an energy audit with our team.

They will inspect your home and let you know if your home is eligible for one of the grant-funded program options, available at NO cost to homeowners.

Learn more here ---> https://www.smcaa.com/wx

Available to those of low-incomes in our service area only (Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties)

05/29/2026

We missed Way Back Wednesday (or is it Throwback Thursday?), so how about.... Flashback Friday?

You might recognize a few of these lovely faces! We're lucky that our small group of employees has some real longevity, including these familiar folks who have been putting in the work for... well, let's just say "a while."

And we're so grateful for them and their commitment to Community Action!

Can you recognize anyone you might see around our offices in any of these photos?

(Want to join the team and get your own shout-out in *ahem* many years? We're hiring! https://www.smcaa.com/team)

05/19/2026

Today we proudly joined fellow Community Action agencies from across Michigan for at the Capitol.

This day is about more than advocacy — it’s about amplifying the voices of the individuals, families, and communities we serve every day. From housing and energy assistance to early childhood education, financial empowerment, and workforce development, Community Action programs create pathways to stability and opportunity.

We are grateful for the chance to connect with lawmakers, share the impact of our work, and advocate for resources that help strengthen communities across our state.

Community Action changes lives, embodies the spirit of hope, and helps build a brighter future for all.

Together, we are !

05/18/2026

We're hiring!

Want to join a small, dynamic team that truly cares about making a positive impact in the community?

We're hiring TWO positions for our Family Shelter in Decatur.

Read more about these positions here, and if you think you'd be a good fit, please send a resume to [email protected]

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Want to be a part of something great and do real good in Southwest Michigan? Join the SMCAA team. Check out current job openings.

05/15/2026

This , we’re celebrating the power weatherization and the incredible impact it has on families across our community.

Through Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency’s Weatherization Program, households can lower energy costs, improve home safety, and stay more comfortable year-round — all while creating healthier, more energy-efficient homes.

For many families, weatherization means more than sealing windows or adding insulation. It means lower utility bills, less stress, and better air quality for yourself and your family. All at no cost to you.

Want to apply for this FREE grant-funded program?

Get more information or start your application process here --->
https://www.smcaa.com/wx

(Open to residents of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren)

05/13/2026

This , not only do we reflect on what we do and why we do it... we think about our amazing community members who are always there to lend a hand to their neighbors.

Whether it's assisting with a food drive, donating, advocating, or giving in another meaningful way, the incredible generosity of those of Southwest Michigan cannot be forgotten.

If you would like to see what it's like to join this incredible team and participate in uplifting your community, consider following our United Way of Southwest Michigan volunteer page to be updated on our event needs, such as the upcoming TEFAP food giveaway
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https://volunteer.uwsm.org/need/detail/?need_id=1262001

05/08/2026

Poverty is complex. Becoming a bridge that helps people move from surviving to thriving takes the right support, at the right time, in the right way.

For some families, assistance may be straightforward — a one-time payment toward an overdue utility bill can prevent a crisis and help them regain stability.

For others, the path forward is more complex and requires time, resources, and hands-on support, like the story shared in this client success spotlight.

Economic hardship is never one-size-fits-all.

During , we celebrate that Community Action was built on the principle of “maximum feasible participation” — meaning the people and communities being served are directly involved in shaping how programs and funding are used to support local needs.

Your voice matters. Your experiences matter.

The people of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties are at the center of everything we do, and the unique challenges facing our communities help guide our programs, services, and strategic planning every day.

Learn more about our latest Community Needs Assessment and what it revealed about the needs in our service area here:
https://www.smcaa.com/cna