Blueprints

Blueprints serves as the catalyst to mobilize the resources of the entire community to enable families and individuals in Southwestern Pennsylvania to attain the skills, knowledge, motivations and opportunities to become self-sufficient.

our promise

Blueprints changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

we believe

An engaged community, caring leadership and responsible planning can eliminate poverty, create a strong, healthy economy and encourage prosperity for all.

our vision for our community

• All people are valued, cared for and healthy, regardless of economic status.
• Education prepares all children to fulfill their potential and meet their future needs.
• All people live in safe, affordable, decent housing.
• People are skilled and committed to leading change and improvement in our community.
• All people have the skills and opportunity to work at family sustaining jobs.
• Blueprints is the leader of community based strategies that end poverty.

We believe that poverty will end when enough people care.

who we are

Blueprints is a change agency that shapes futures by equipping and educating people to improve their lives. Independence is gained when we break barriers and build futures.

Powered by community action, we are proud of our legacy: strengthening and serving our community. We stand committed to the mission of the community action movement. We take pride in our membership to the network and champion our shared vision.

Blueprints, formerly Community Action Southwest, is a non-profit organization that has been serving our area since 1965. Founded by a group of community leaders, the initial focus of the agency was to mobilize public and private resources to deal with the causes of poverty, not just its impact.

More than 50 years later, our mission remains much the same. We are still committed to solving poverty, but we aim to help our clients achieve stability. By focusing on the mind, home, health and wallet, we help and encourage people to meet their future needs independently.

Today, Blueprints operates more than 50 programs serving more than 20,000 people annually in Washington and Greene counties of Pennsylvania and throughout West Virginia. Blueprints has an annual budget of nearly $23 million, and employs more than 350 individuals.

We serve our neighbors from cradle to gray. We provide assistance at all income levels. We co-design solutions that encourage self-made stability. The agency is directed by a 15-member Board of Directors which is composed of equal representation of the public sector (local elected officials), private sector (business, church and labor) and target sector (representatives of the poor who are democratically elected within their communities).