Durham CAN is based in institutions: congregations, associations, schools (both private and public), nonprofits, community health centers, and neighborhood organizations that share a concern for families and a tradition of faith and democracy.

We strengthen congregations and community institutions by developing the skills and capacity of their leaders to be change agents in the public process. Durham CAN creates a vehicle for ordinary families to have a powerful voice in community decisions that affect their lives, instead of leaving decision-making in the hands of a select few.

We build relationships of trust among people and institutions across Durham County, intentionally crossing boundaries of economics, race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation and geography that divide our communities. Part of the dynamism of our work derives from a shared commitment to bring together individuals and families that typically do not know one another, and often do not know how to collaborate successfully.

While not a religious organization, CAN's agenda reflects faith-informed and democratic values. CAN is often called upon to support member churches, synagogues, even dioceses, synods and conferences as they seek to address problems that impact families and communities.

CAN and all its organizations are issue-driven politically non-partisan. We do not endorse any candidate or party for elected office, and instead put forth our issues agenda as our platform for constructive change.