About District 7 HRDC

About District 7 HRDC

Statistics show that poverty touches a large portion of Americans over their lifetimes. Sometimes it is a chronic condition that persists over several generations. More often, poverty comes as a consequence of life’s unremarkable tragedies – illness, job loss, divorce, or disability – that can destroy a family’s ability to support itself. Regardless of the cause, families struggle against their predicament, and many fight their way out of poverty. 

Community Action Agencies was born at the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) in 1964. The ambitious purpose of this statute was to eliminate the causes and consequences of poverty in the United States. The Act established a federal Office of Economic Opportunity, formed state Economic Opportunity offices, and created community-based organizations called Community Action Agencies.

On March 31, 1966, the Community Action Program (CAP) of Billings and Yellowstone County was incorporated to involve the disadvantaged populations in addressing their needs. Its primary intent was to advocate and give voice to those who weren't normally heard.On December 31, 1975, CAP of Billings and Yellowstone County, became known as District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC). Advocacy has evolved to include the provision of services to our communities

The unique governance concept, the tri-partite board, was designed to promote “maximum feasible participation” by poor people in identifying the problems they faced and in crafting potential solutions. HRDC has created innovative methods for reducing causes of poverty.

We currently operate 28 programs and have been instrumental in implementing over 20 programs that other community agencies now oversee.