United States of America

A man wearing an orange CARE t-shirt and PPE helps an older man with bagging groceries.

© 2020 Laura Noel/CARE

Where We Work

CARE’s U.S. Programs offer a locally led, networked approach to helping women and families

The U.S. has the highest inequality among developed nations. Women from low-income communities face intensifying challenges, including rising disasters, maternal mortality, and systemic barriers to financial security.

CARE strengthens women and families’ safety, health, and economic power by working through community‑rooted organizations. This system of support services, the CARE Partner Network, provides year-round training, resources, and connections. Since 2019, CARE has reached 300,000 families across 11 states and Puerto Rico with this model.

CARE draws on 80 years of global experience to reach women and families where needs are greatest. Women aren’t just recipients of this work — they are the changemakers driving it forward. When women have a voice, resources, and support networks, entire communities become more resilient.

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What type of work does CARE do in the United States?

Disaster preparedness and relief

CARE is the only national disaster‑response organization with a consistent focus on women‑centered recovery. Our strategy is to train, fund, and connect locally led, community‑based organizations before, during, and after disasters. This approach fills critical gaps — helping communities prepare for disasters, providing quick and effective emergency assistance, and building long‑term resilience.

Within hours of an emergency, CARE can surge funds and resources to high-need areas that may be overlooked. This allows us to support community resilience by delivering vital cash assistance, critical relief supplies to families who need them most, and recovery grants to communities.

Learn more about CARE’s U.S. disaster relief work

A woman wearing an orange CARE t-shirt and matching face mask holds two bags of chips up to a man carrying a cardboard box with a large paper bag stacked on top. Behind them are large stacks of plastic water bottles.
CARE staff member Gabby Dirden supports local food distribution as part of CARE's COVID-19 Response. CARE delivered 13 million meals in the U.S. as part of its pandemic response. Photo credit: © 2021 Laura Noel/CARE

Maternal health

The risk of maternal mortality still threatens women in the U.S. — a risk that sharply increases for women from low-income communities.

CARE addresses these gaps by partnering with trusted, community-based leaders to provide holistic, culturally responsive maternal care before, during, and after pregnancy. We work in partnership with universities like the Morehouse School of Medicine, clinics, and community doulas in a model that provides critical wrap-around services — from clinical checkups to transportation and cash support. By combining global expertise with local leadership, we help every woman receive the care she needs, no matter where she lives.

In partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, CARE provides high-risk moms in greater Atlanta with regular checkups and wrap‑around services to boost health outcomes for mothers like Melvina.
CARE works with partners across America to provide hygiene kits with essentials to mothers who need it most.

Economic opportunity

Nearly 40% of people in the United States cannot cover a $400 emergency expense, and women face added financial pressure due to lower wages, underemployment, and disproportionate debt.

To expand women’s access to financial stability and meaningful work, CARE partners with trusted community organizations, workforce institutions, and community colleges to provide financial and digital literacy training, savings tools, and clear pathways to well‑paid jobs.

When women gain the skills, resources, and support to strengthen their financial footing and pursue stable, well‑paid work, they support their families, strengthen local economies, and help build more resilient communities. This creates change that lasts for generations.

Why CARE?

  • Global expertise, local power: CARE brings 80 years of humanitarian expertise to our U.S. work, which is grounded in deep local partnership
  • Locally led, women-centered: We channel resources to the last mile through trusted, community-led organizations
  • Data-driven learning: We rigorously monitor impact, collect participant feedback, and refine approaches
  • National voice for change: We use CARE’s brand and platform to elevate frontline stories and drive change at scale