Aiken County assistance programs

Organizations that provide help

Two places to turn for aid include the Community Ministry of North Augusta as well as the Aiken/Barnwell Community Action Commission, Inc. Both of these organizations offer a multitude of services and resources to low and moderate income families.

Assistance from Community Ministry of North Augusta

Known as CMONA for short, this non-profit organization was organized by six local churches - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairview Presbyterian Church, Grace United Methodist Church, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Second Providence Baptist Church and St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church. It has expanded over the years. Today, it is supported by over 20 member churches that are located in the North Augusta area as well as local businesses as well as private contributions and government funds.

CMONA provides help with paying a variety of bills. They offer grants for dealing emergencies that people may be faced with on a case-by-case basis. Assistance provided may take the form of funds for an overdue heating or utility bill, clothing or furnishings, purchasing prescription medications or providing food aid. Find other charity organizations.

Anyone applying for assistance needs to provide a valid photo I.D., Social Security card, proof of residence within the Area 2 school district and this information needs to be provided for each person in the household. CMONA will also refer clients to other social agencies and counseling as needed. For example, they can refer people to credit counselors so they can get debt help.

For more information about CMONA's services and resources, call the agency at 279-5771.

 

 

 

Weatherization Programs

The Weatherization Assistance Program, which is administered by Aiken/Barnwell Community Action Commission, Inc will help people reduce their energy bills. It is aimed at low and moderate income families who live in the Aiken area. It will help them reduce their energy bills by installing cost-effective energy-efficiency measures. The program is free to qualified applicants.

The program is conducted and regulated in accordance with all of the policies and guidelines that were created by the State of South Carolina's Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and also the United States Department of Energy.

The bottom line is that the Aiken/Barnwell/Lexington Community Action Commission Inc. has operated a successful Weatherization Program for 30 plus years. Currently they are servicing 9 counties in South Carolina, including Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Greenville, Hampton, Lexington, and Richland Counties. Contact the agency at 291 Beaufort Street, Aiken, SC, or call them at (803) 648-6836.

Free Dental Care

Aiken Technical College offers the "Give Kids a Smile” program. Dozens of students each year get their teeth cleaned and other dental services for free. Last year, dental hygienists and volunteer dentists began a procedure of providing the children with a thorough cleaning, followed by screening from the dentists, to ensure that longer term solutions were put into place. Find other ways to get help help with dental bills. Learn more.

Students at the college provide assistance as needed and they are also observed by the hygienists and dentists. In addition, a group of health science students from the Aiken County Career and Technology Center also coordinated games and other fun activities for children while they waited to see a hygienist and a dentist, so kids are entertained as they wait for their cleaning.