It is the mission of CTE to counter basic causes of poverty in the Stamford, Darien and Greenwich communities by making available services and activities which help reduce the physical, economic and psychological barriers to self-sufficiency for low income... individuals, families and communities, giving them the ability to rise out of poverty. In essence, CTE will fill the basic social and physical need for life sustenance (food, clothing, shelter) and the self-actualization need of empowerment (education, jobs, etc.). It is this ability to respond to the needs of the poor in a holistic manner, that is, looking at the total range of needs and addressing both behavioral and systemic barriers, that allows CTE to fulfill its legislatively mandated mission, and as such makes it unique among agencies serving the poor.