About Us

History

On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law an Act that mobilized our nation’s human and financial resources to combat poverty in the United States.

This law created the Office of Economic Opportunity. As its goal, this central agency within the federal government set forth to “eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty” through the development, testing and operation of various urban and rural anti-poverty programs. The Office of Economic Opportunity was abolished in 1981, its programs have been scattered among other federal agencies, in particular the Department of Health and Human Services.

On June 23, 1965, the Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Community Action Agency was granted a charter by the Michigan Corporation and Securities Commission to function as a private non-profit organization for the express purpose of serving the counties of Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw.

Since its inception, the B-H-K CAA has achieved remarkable headway through increased public and private understanding of the scope, causes and problems of poverty. In so doing, it has broadened the resource base of its self-help programs by drawing upon other private and public agencies, business, religious, charitable, and neighborhood organizations and private citizens.

The agency strives to bring new and necessary programs within reach of those in need and advocates for those who have been too long neglected. Toward this end the B-H-K CAA continually stimulates a better focusing of local, state and federal resources so that every area resident may “attain the skills, knowledge and motivations needed to become self-sufficient”. In this respect, the Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Community is truly, as its motto suggests, an agency “helping people to help themselves”.

Credit for the agency’s success must be shared by current and previous members of the B-H-K CAA governing board, community leaders representing other human service agencies and public officials throughout the three-county area. Recognition must also be given to the organization’s dedicated staff, administrators, managers, and all other full and part-time employees who have and will continue to make the Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Community Action Agency a model service organization.

Board of Directors

Representing Consumer Sector

• Sheri Werner

• Sharon Moilanen

• Lillian Ryckman

• Jennifer Strand

Representing Private Sector

• Carol Bessolo

• Terry Langston

• Nicholas Roberts

• Jim Schultz, President

Representing Public Sector

• Sally Borgen, Secretary

• Martha Dugdale, Vice President

• Donald Piche

• Reid Rastello, Treasurer

Administrative Staff

• Jean LaBerge, Executive Director

• Mary Ringler, Financial Manager/Administrative Assistant

• Brooke Gubacz, Weatherization Director

• Taylor Brule, Warehouse Manager

• Jill Laux, Community Coordinator

• Vanessa Muszynski, In-Home Services/Program Coordinator

Fiscal Year 2025 - Activities and Results

BHK Community Action Agency has been helping individuals and families in the three-county area since 1965.

BHK is a non-profit Community Action Agency governed by a 12-member tri-partite board. The Board is made up of representatives from public, private, and low-income sectors of the community. BHK is funded by federal, state, and local grants as well as private foundations. Private donations are greatly appreciated and can be designated for a specific purpose or for general use to meet any need we can provide.

In fiscal year 2025, B-H-K Community Action Agency assisted more than 3,000 individuals through fuel assistance, water assistance, emergency assistance, energy assistance, tax assistance, home weatherization, bus rides, food assistance, in-home programs for seniors, youth recreation, furnace/chimney cleaning assistance, and the operation of the Keweenaw Handicraft Shop in Ahmeek.

CAA Programs Assisted:

169 Households received fuel, water, and/or energy assistance
20 Households were provided minor home/plumbing repairs
169 Individuals received income tax/credit assistance
44 Homes were weatherized (12 roofs)
119 Area crafters sold crafts at the Keweenaw Handicraft Shop
159 Seniors were assisted with In-Home services
15 Households received furnace or chimney cleaning & repairs
26 Households were provided energy efficient furnaces or water heaters
2200+ Individuals received food assistance – 16,391 boxes distributed
85 Individuals received transportation services – 4,672 rides
2 Youth were assisted with recreational activities/1 summer employment
224 Families participated in our diaper programs.

Community Needs Assessment

CLICK HERE for the Community Needs Assessment Report

 

 

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