Total Community Action history

SEVCA: Southeastern Vermont Community Action opened its doors in 1965 in Bellows Falls, VT to serve the low-income population of Windham and Windsor Counties.

By 1966, Congress appropriated $4 billion for the programs.

King’s last speech, 4 days before his assassination in 1968, was a challenge to the nation, and a call to action against the violence of poverty, announcing his “Poor People’s Campaign” and upcoming march on Washington.

In 1981, the first students were enrolled in Project Discovery, a program for first-generation college-bound students.

In 1987, TAP started a school-to-work transition program for at-risk students.

TAP also opened the Transitional Living Center in 1988 to serve the area’s homeless.

Also, in 1994, TAP created the Business SEED program to help entrepreneurs start their own businesses.

Beginning in 2001, Community Action has improved their reporting through the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) framework and continuously seeks ways to improve outreach and services.

Sabrina’s Place, a supervised visitation and safe exchange center was opening in 2007.

In order to address the changing and complex barriers of those in poverty, TAP formed the Veteran Services program in 2010 and a special Dental Health Initiative, or loan program to help recipients pay for substantial dental work when they cannot afford the costs upfront.