Community Action Partnership is celebrating 50-years of service in St. Joseph and the surrounding community.

A birthday celebration was held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Park. Food, activities, a raffled and a guest appearance from Elsa from the movie Frozen helped to mark the celebration.

Whitney Lanning is the Director of Head Start and said CAP of Greater St. Joseph was one of the first agencies in the state.

“It began in 1962,” Lanning said. “We were one of the first Community Action agencies in the state and one of the first Head Start programs.”

She said the program started with the Economic Opportunity Act that was formed when President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty.

CAP services include Head Start for early childhood education, Emergency Assistance & Weatherization, Housing, and Work Assistance.

“We really try to build people up and improve their ability to help themselves,” Lanning said. “We’re really excited to have our 50-year celebration and we’re looking forward to 50 more years.”