 Case Management assistance is a key component of every service we provide. Skilled professionals assess client problems and develop a case management plan which will assist the client in reaching the goal of self-sufficiency. Case management services include:
- Budget counseling
- Life skills training
- Parenting services
- Nutrition counseling
- Short-and long-term goal setting
- Time management skill building
- Self esteem enhancement
- Stress management
- Communication skill building
- Personal hygiene instruction
- Drug/alcohol assessment
- Mental health assessment
Click here for information on where to receive services.
 Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) has established a continuum of housing services that include emergency shelter, transitional housing, and housing for rent.
Emergency Shelter
CAADC is the primary provider of emergency housing to homeless families and individuals in Delaware County. Shelter is provided at the following sites:
- Colony Shelter: 13-unit family shelter located in Chester.
- Family Management Center: 10-unit family shelter located in Chester, (610) 872-4070.
- Life Center of Eastern Delaware County: 50-bed shelter for individual adults located in Upper Darby. This facility also provides a shower program and a daily feeding program where homeless residents and needy individuals and families within the community receive a hot dinner 365 days a year.
- Wesley House: 70-bed shelter for families and individuals located in Chester.
- Hotel/Motel Program: voucher program providing temporary shelter to homeless families including victims of fire and domestic abuse when all shelters are at capacity.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Transitional Housing
Transitional housing "bridges" the gap from emergency shelter to permanent housing. CAADC owns 19 units of transitional housing where families can live for up to 2 years after leaving the shelter. CAADC also works in conjunction with private landlords to provide nearly 80 transitional housing units throughout the County. During their stay in transitional housing, residents receive a rental subsidy based on their income. Residents also receive ongoing case management and support services as they make the transition into permanent housing.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Apartments/Houses for Rent
 Community Action Agency owns and manages over 300 affordable housing units in Delaware County. Click here to download an application. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you don't have it, click here to get it.
Home Ownership Program
The Home Ownership Program allows low and middle-income persons to buy a home of their own. CAADC first buys and renovates the home. All homes in the program have been completely rehabilitated and meet or exceed local codes. In most cases, the homes have all new plumbing, heating and electrical systems as well as new kitchens, baths, flooring, windows and more. The homes are then sold to income-eligible families. In some cases, CAADC can help with some of the down payment or closing costs. Homes in Chester and Darby sell for $40,000 to $70,000. Homes in Yeadon and Lansdowne sell for $80,000 to $160,000. Please call the Media Office at 610-891-5101 with questions about the Home Ownership Program.
Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) provides a variety of direct services to alleviate an immediate crisis and to support individuals/families with the goal of economic self-sufficiency. Services include rental assistance, utility assistance, food assistance, transportation assistance, Family Savings Account Program, and a donations warehouse.
Rental Assistance
The rental assistance program provides a grant to homeless or near homeless households to move them into a new residence or to avoid eviction. Eligible households may receive payment for first month's rent and security deposit or to avoid eviction. The average grant is equal to one month's rent.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Utility Assistance
In order to help clients reduce their energy costs, CAADC provides education on energy use and cost-saving measures. Usage analysis is completed showing when and why energy costs are high. Grants are also available to assist clients with payment of delinquent utility bills and/or to restore service. This program is available to customers of PECO Energy Company, Philadelphia Suburban Water Company and Chester Water Authority.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Food Assistance
Food assistance is provided to assist clients in meeting their basic nutritional needs. Services include food vouchers, referrals to food banks and distribution of donated baked products. The Food Participation Project assists families with enrollment in the Food Stamp Program. We also offer a feeding program that serves more than 200 individuals a day at the Life Center in Upper Darby.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Transportation Assistance
 Bus tokens are available to transport shelter and transitional housing program participants as well as homeless individuals and families to necessary appointments such as medical visits and job interviews.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Family Savings Account Program
CAADC's Family Savings Account (FSA) Program is an innovative initiative designed to promote self-sufficiency for lower income residents through a matched savings program. The FSA Program matches dollar up to $1,000 per year for eligible goals. Eligible uses include use for education, purchase of a home, purchase of a car, participation in an entrepreneurial activity, enrollment of a saver's child in day care, other work-related activities, etc. For more information, call 610-874-8451.
Donations Warehouse
CAADC's county-wide Donations Warehouse accepts and delivers donations of furniture, household goods, and appliances to homeless individuals and families who are in the process of reestablishing housing. To be eligible, clients must be exiting a homeless program, be a fire victim or a victim of domestic violence. Fore more information, call 610-522-9611.
Click here for information on how to make a donation.
Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) has a variety of programs to assist with the growth and development of youth of all ages.
Kidz First Early Childhood Learning Center
723 Madison Street, Chester, PA 19013
A childcare center, located next to our Wesley House Emergency Shelter, serves children 6 weeks through 12 years of age. It is open to children of our clients as well as the general public. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is a newly constructed facility featuring a state-of-the-art security system, observation windows into each classroom, and two age-specific playgrounds. The center is staffed with caring, loving instructors. The classroom environment is designed to provide each child with a chance to discover and challenge him/herself. The focus is on small-group activities and frequent, individualized interactions and attention. Children are encouraged to be self-directed and are given opportunities to select from a wide variety of learning centers and small-group lessons. For more information or registration, call 610-490-1700.
After-School Program
 An After-School Program is available to school-aged children residing in CAADC shelters or transitional housing programs. Participants are provided with tutorial assistance, recreational activities, access to computers and cultural enrichment.
The Weatherization Training Program
The Weatherization Training Program is an innovative initiative that provides a year-round youth program to economically disadvantaged out-of-school youth. CAADC provides eligible youth, ages 17-21, with training in Weatherization as a Technician or Auditor, work experience training with CAADC's Weatherization Department, mentoring with CAADC staff, case management, life skills training, GED instruction if necessary, educational opportunities and job placement with CAADC or another related business. Participants take classes at the Weatherization Training Center located at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. This program serves a vital need by providing a career opportunity and a comprehensive continuum of services to these youth. Long-term outcomes include placement in employment in the Weatherization industry with a starting salary potential of $25,000. For more information, call 610-874-8451.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Summer Career Exploration Program
The Summer Career Exploration Program provides economically disadvantaged youth with career and vocational exploration opportunities, well-supervised experiences in the private sector, effective job-related counseling and urgently needed income. The participants identify their future career goals and placement is made at a related business, such as a law office, veterinary clinic, etc. This program is available to income-eligible youth exiting the 10th, 11th or 12th grades.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Community Action Agency of Delaware County Inc. (CAADC) has a variety of programs designed to assist economically disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to establish economic self-sufficiency. The agency has been providing employment opportunities and related supportive services to eligible residents of Delaware County for nearly two decades. The primary goal of these programs is to ensure the successful transition of program participants into the workforce and to establish a successful career path.
GED Instruction and Adult Basic Education
 The Supportive Education and Employment Development Program (SEED) addresses the needs of clients through provision of Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, job readiness training and job placement services. The SEED program uses a non- traditional classroom setting to help participants feel at ease with new learning techniques. The academic component of this program is designed to assist clients in increasing their grade level and to help secure a high school diploma. This program is available to shelter and transitional housing clients of CAADC as well as the public if space permits.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Welfare to Work
CAADC operates a variety of Welfare to Work programs designed to improve self-sufficiency through the development of job skills and the provision of job placement services. Staff works closely with program participants to remove barriers to employment and increase marketability. All programs provide comprehensive education, training and essential support services in order to orchestrate a successful transition of public assistance recipients from welfare to work. Agency programs include the Supported Work Program, Single Point of Contact and the Community Connections Initiative.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
Weatherization Training Program
Summer Career Exploration Program
Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) partners with several local utility companies and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to provide comprehensive services and information designed to increase household efficiency, reduce energy costs and conserve energy.
Weatherization & In-Home Energy Conservation
 CAADC provides weatherization services to income eligible households. Services are designed to reduce household energy costs through a variety of energy conservation measures which can include: caulking, weather-stripping, insulation of hot water tanks, attic insulation, attic ventilation, primary window replacement, and oil and gas heater repair or replacement.
For more information, contact Weatherization, 90 Jansen Avenue, Essington, PA 19029. Phone: 610-521-8770.
Water Conservation Measures
CAADC implements water conservation measures and plumbing retrofits in households serviced by Aqua PA and Chester Water Authority.
Click here for information in PDF format.
Education
General education regarding energy conservation is available to all CAADC clients. Households that receive In-Home Energy or Water Conservation services are also provided with educational materials, information and advice to assist in further reducing costs and eliminating the waste of resources.
Click here for information on where to receive services.
 The Delaware County Construction Company is a division of Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC). The private construction company is fully licensed and insured to provide both commercial and residential construction services, specializing in ADA modifications/retrofits. For additional information, contact the Construction Manager at 610-891-5171. Please click here (PDF) to view more information.
CAADC also offers newly built homes for sale in the mid $190s. These homes are on large, level lots, have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and are built by the Delaware County Construction Company. Current new homes are available in Darby Township. This program is expected to expand to other parts of Delaware County. For details, click here.
Home Ownership Program
The Home Ownership Program allows low and middle-income persons to buy a home of their own. CAADC first buys and renovates the home. All homes in the program have been completely rehabilitated and meet or exceed local codes. In most cases, the homes have all new plumbing, heating and electrical systems as well as new kitchens, baths, flooring, windows and more. The homes are then sold to income-eligible families. In some cases, CAADC can help with some of the down payment or closing costs. Homes in Chester and Darby sell for $40,000 to $70,000. Homes in Yeadon and Lansdowne sell for $80,000 to $160,000. Please call the Media Office at 610-891-5101 with questions about the Home Ownership Program.
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