Who We Are
Why We Do What We Do
Last year, 1 in 3 households in Jackson County wasn’t able to cover the basic cost of living — like food, heat, rent, and medical bills. We are able to help fill the gaps with services made possible by the help of community partners, other agencies, and our generous donors.
About ACCESS
ACCESS provides food, warmth, shelter, and other essential services to Jackson County’s low-income children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. As the Community Action Agency of Jackson County, Oregon, ACCESS has been helping residents break the cycle of poverty since 1976.
What is a Community Action Agency?
There are 1,000 Community Action Agencies across the U.S. These agencies are designated to promote the participation of the entire community in the reduction of poverty, with the goal of “helping people to help themselves” achieve self-sufficiency.
Created in 1964, the Community Action Network is made up of agencies like ours that help individuals, families, and communities succeed. At ACCESS, our aim is to carry out the vision of the Network: A nation that creates opportunities for all people to thrive, builds strong, resilient communities, and ensures a more equitable society.
Our Mission
Through partnerships and service, ACCESS provides food, warmth, and shelter to promote stability for vulnerable populations.
Our Vision
Food, warmth, shelter for all.
Guiding Principles
Respect
ACCESS treats all participants, volunteers, and employees with dignity and kindness.
Integrity
ACCESS takes responsibility for their actions and their words.
Empathy
ACCESS is caring and words to understand everyone’s unique experiences.
Development
ACCESS supports and encourages personal and professional growth and continuous learning.
Inclusion
ACCESS creates and supports a welcoming environment that embraces diversity and promotes equity.
Transparency
ACCESS is open with community partners, employees, and participants, sharing information wherever possible.
Service
ACCESS is consistently responsive to each other and those we serve in the broader community.
Our History
A Loaves & Fishes program begins to serve homebound seniors… and the seed for ACCESS is planted.
ACCESS, Inc. officially incorporates as a non-profit to help senior residents with food resources. Our original name was Aging Community Coordinated Enterprises & Supportive Services.
Programs expand to include weatherization, job programs, information & referral, and wood for winter heating.
The ACCESS Food Bank officially begins, and the Energy Assistance program is added, helping low-income residents pay energy bills.
The Durable Medical Equipment Program begins, loaning any Jackson County resident medical equipment and saving the community millions.
ACCESS becomes the Community Action Agency for Jackson County and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) begins granting ACCESS state funding to address houselessness.
In 1992, the Housing Department is created, providing affordable housing options in the county.
ACCESS moves to its current location at 3630 Aviation Way.
The Olsrud Family Nutrition Center, including a commercial kitchen, opens
ACCESS secures the federal Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant and sets the goal of ending Veteran houselessness in Jackson County
The ACCESS Food Bank warehouse expands to better meet the needs of food insecure residents
The Center for Community Resilience is established to help survivors of the 2020 Labor Day fires secure stable housing
