Transforming Lives for 55 Years
Since 1965, MAAC has been committed to helping families and individuals along their path towards self-sufficiency. From its humble beginnings as a small grass-roots organization based in the southern region of San Diego County, MAAC has grown to employ nearly 500 staff at more than 40 sites across the county. Focusing on five core pathways: advocacy & leadership development, education, economic development, health & well-being, and housing, the organization offers quality programs that increase opportunities for participants’ financial advancement and success.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with MAAC’s milestone 55th anniversary this past year. Since March 2020, we have witnessed health, economic and social crises throughout the nation, creating severe challenges and losses for the communities of San Diego and across the country. Many of the families in MAAC’s care were at the most vulnerable point in their lives as a result of the pandemic. Closures of businesses, massive layoffs and significant reductions in work hours, created an immediate and devastating financial impact on families.
MAAC became one of the nonprofit agencies that were pivotal to addressing the economic and social crisis that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization leveraged its staff, resources and relationships to assure that it continued to be the critical community partner that San Diego has relied on for decades. All of MAAC’s core programs continued to be in operation and the organization expanded efforts to include new services to help with short- and mid-term COVID-related economic relief.
In 2020, MAAC distributed nearly $300,000 in direct aid to families who were impacted by the pandemic and doubled the amount food and diapers distributed to families across the county to meet the increased need. Understanding the importance of offering children quality early childhood education and family support services, MAAC was one of the first Head Start providers in the western U.S. to offer safe, in-person education at its child development centers, giving families a safe and trusted partner to care for their children so they could return to work. Additionally, MAAC expanded mental health resources made available to participants, grew its workforce training opportunities, and secured funding for the development of more affordable housing.
MAAC saw a need to provide Latino families in North County, including those in rural areas, with access to vital information and resources regarding the coronavirus. Along with three other lead partner agencies, it formed the San Diego Latino Health Coalition, and opened its North County COVID-19 Relief Resource Center. The coalition aims to educate individuals on steps to help prevent disease transmission, increase participation in testing and contact tracing, and most importantly, save lives.
Looking forward to the opportunities 2021 will bring, MAAC continues to remain focused and committed to supporting the most vulnerable communities in southern California beyond these crises and through economic recovery.
MAAC needs your support now, more than ever and you can volunteer, champion or donate. To learn more about MAAC’s programs and services, or to make a tax-deductible gift, please visit www.MAACproject.org.
