We break down the barriers that get
in the way of fair and lasting change

COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN’S MISSION: We make it possible for people in Marin to achieve well-being by providing the vital services they need. Together, we break down the barriers that get in the way of fair and lasting change in service to better outcomes for all. 

We hold a shared vision for equity: Those who live, work, and visit Marin, including all racial and ethnic groups, experience fair and just inclusion. We act together to rectify historic patterns of racial, class, and gender marginalization, ensuring that all see themselves reflected in decision making and that all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.

As one of 1,100 Community Action agencies across the country, we adhere to a Code of Ethics that outlines our dedication to eliminating poverty in the midst of plenty. The array of services we provide promote racial and economic equity by addressing the real and varied needs of individuals and families who lack the income to be self-sufficient.

Many people consider Marin County to be one of the most beautiful places to live in the United States. It has some of the highest incomes per capita and one of the lowest unemployment rates. It also has the widest gap between rich and poor and one of the greatest racial inequities in the State of California. In this county of plenty, the face of poverty is often invisible.  The numbers are not.

Despite the fact that Marin County is one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S.; the realities for some here are no different than in far less affluent places. Getting by and getting ahead have become hard for many residents. For almost a third, just meeting basic needs means living paycheck to paycheck. With no savings to fall back on to fix a car, recuperate from illness or accidents, or find new housing or work, many are forced to make difficult choices—sometimes between putting food on the table for their families or paying rent.

The cost of living in Marin has risen 48% in just the past four years, and families are struggling to make ends meet. Right now, according to a report by the United Ways of California. a family of four with two adults, one infant, and one preschooler would need to earn $146,087 annually, an amount 23% below Marin’s average household income, to cover all of the family’s basic expenses, such as housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and taxes without public or private assistance. Nearly a quarter of the households in Marin lack the income for a decent standard of living with Marin County currently ranking as the 3rd most racially disparate county in California, with higher disparity in housing, economic opportunity, and crime & justice. 

At Community Action Marin, we cover unexpected financial emergencies so people can keep a roof over their heads and the lights on at home. We make sure kids can do well in school by making early childhood education and care affordable for everyone. We try to remove the stigma of mental health, and get people and their loved ones through times of crisis. We help people take charge of their money and grow their income so they can have a more secure future, creating a pathway from crisis to thriving. 

Working with partners committed to racial equity, we amplify our efforts across the educational spectrum, from early learning to higher education and careers. Together, we are driving important change in the county to promote fair, just, and lasting outcomes for all that eliminate race-based disparities in our educational systems. 

Racial equity for students in Marin will be achieved when race and ethnicity no longer predict the outcome of a young person’s educational future. As a Marin Promise Partner, our organization commits to identify and dismantle racial inequities, and to provide equity-based supports, so that our most vulnerable children can achieve their full potential.

At Community Action Marin, aside from key stabilization services, we also provide high-touch career coaching and job training, supporting individuals with attaining employer-recognized certificates and credentials, and obtaining employment in high-demand professions. Learn more here.