CAP Services received the 2017 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Community Action during the
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) annual meeting Tuesday, May 23 in
Madison.
The award is presented annually to a program that characterizes the spirit of community action;
especially programs that help eliminate poverty and give families hope. CAP was chosen from
nominations submitted to Wisconsin’s Department on Children and Families (DCF) by a joint
committee of DCF and Governor’s Office staff.
CAP was selected for its success in using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to expand
affordable housing options in rural communities in the state. CAP has completed 21 LIHTC
projects focused on senior citizens and families in 11 rural counties across the state. CAP’s housing
has an average occupancy rate of 97 percent and has allowed seniors who are no longer able or want
to live in single-family housing to stay in their home communities, while also staying active and
connected. CAP utilized other funds to rehabilitate housing sold by seniors to help communities
increase available housing stock for families, especially those with children.
“Stable housing is essential to the wellbeing of children and families,” said Mary Patoka, CAP’s
president and CEO. “As housing costs have increased dramatically in all areas of Wisconsin, CAP’s
portfolio of over 750 rental units has provided options of decent and affordable housing to many.”
WISCAP, the state’s community action trade association, also recognized others during this event.
Spectra Print of Stevens Point was named WISCAP’s Outstanding Friend of Community Action.
CAP Services nominated Spectra Print for its deep commitment to the community and its significant
in-kind contribution of print materials, not only for CAP Services, but for the local United Way and
many other nonprofits in the community.
Alice Griffin, Appleton, received this year’s Self-Sufficiency Award from WISCAP. Griffin is a
single mother of five who worked successfully with CAP’s recently sunsetted Project TEAM family
mentoring program to achieve her goals of finding a job closer to home, refinancing her home, and
getting her finances under control.
CAP Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit community action agency that has been advancing social
and economic justice for people and communities in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca and
Waushara counties since 1966.
Last year, CAP programs reached nearly 2,500 households with over 9,100 members. Those services
resulted in people getting better jobs; securing more reliable transportation to get to work; accessing
affordable housing; starting and expanding businesses; finding safe shelter and emotional support;
strengthening their families and so much more.