Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership emergency resources.
The regional community action agency is the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Partnership. The non-profit works with low income families, including the unemployed and working poor, to help them regain their footing. In the short term, resources that may provide them with free food, utility bill help, and other emergency aid may be offered. Extensive job and employment services are offered as well.
Food programs and nutritional services
Formerly called Food Stamps, the CalFresh Outreach Program provides vouchers to pay for groceries and needed items. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle for lower income Californians that are struggling to put healthy food and meals on their tables.
During these very challenging economic times, CalFresh is reaching out to working poor and low-income Californians, many of whom may be newly eligible for help due unemployment or maybe from the recession. Tens of thousands of people from the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership service area currently participate in this program, but this number more than likely represents less than half the number who likely qualify if they were just to apply.
The Willows Food Bank is another option to meet nutritional needs. The not for profit center is located in the Glenn County Human Resource Agency office in Willows California. While the scope of their resources are limited, it operates through grants, fund raisers and donations from churches, local businesses and charity organizations. It also relies on the hard work of dedicated volunteers.
The aim of the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership (CGTCAP) pantry is to provide enough free groceries and food for a family or individual to get by for a few days until a more permanent plan for accessing assistance can be established. It is available for income qualified families or individuals from the service area up to three times per year.
Housing and utility programs from the Community Action Partnership
Home repairs and modifications can be made by the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. This helps in bringing eligible property owners’ dwellings (whether home, condo, etc.) into compliance with locally adopted housing regulations. This will also help reduce future and ongoing maintenance costs for the owner. It will also help them preserve safe, decent, and affordable housing.
Repairs made to the homes can include electrical wiring, improving physical access for disabled persons, roof repair and/or replacement, foundations, heating and cooling additions, plumbing and room additions to address over-crowding.
LIHEAP - Home Energy Assistance Program provides assistance with meeting energy costs to eligible households in Glenn, Colusa and Trinity Counties in California. Assistance or cash grants from CGTCAP are for eligible households is limited to one time per year. Low income and struggling households may request an application for utility assistance by dialing 530-934-1484.
REACH, or the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help is available in partnership with the Housing and Community Services Unit. Call 530-865-6129. This is offered during emergency service hours. Colusa County residents can dial One-Stop at 530-458-0326.
The REACH program is operated as a one-time energy-assistance program administered by the Salvation Army and sponsored by PG and E. Those income qualified homeowners and tenants who have experienced an unforeseen or uncontrollable hardship may receive an energy credit of up to $200 for the payment of their bills.
Financial aid from REACH may be available once within an 18-month period, but exceptions can be made for the physically challenged, seniors and the terminally ill.
Another option is the Housing and Weatherization Unit. This group helps low-income families and individuals in Glenn, Colusa and Trinity Counties permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.
In addition, the Weatherization program offers housing repairs, rehabilitation, grants and financial assistance programs for home-buyers in Glenn County. Federal government weatherization funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings.
Some of the services and assistance available to home owners and renters throughout Trinity, Colusa, Glenn, and Counties include venting, free insulation, weather-stripping, glass or window replacement, door replacement, gas appliance replacement and showerheads.
Job training and employment
Youth and teenage services are offered to secondary-school students through the Youth Employment Services (YES) Partnership. This comprehensive Regional Occupational Program (ROP) offers the following services:
-Resume and work-related document preparation for use in a high school portfolio.
-Vocational career assessments and guidance.
-Information on available part and full time jobs in the Colusa, Glenn, and Trinity County region, specifically jobs in your chosen occupation or skill.
-Both paid and volunteer work experience opportunities in local businesses. Life-skills instruction on subjects such as access to public transportation, comparative shopping, banking, renting an apartment, and so on, to help you transition into adulthood.
Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership administers a number of services that offer assistance with vocational, employment and educational goals for those who have completed their secondary education or those who have dropped out of school. What may be offered is including:
- Career assessment and guidance.
- Direct financial assistance with paying for vocational training, textbooks, work clothing, transportation, etc.
- Referrals to an alternative educational program or school for completing your secondary education if you haven’t graduated.
- Help in creating a winning resume, access to interviewing tips, and advice on achieving success on the job.
- Information on applying for grants or financial aid.
- Follow-up services, which may include resume updating, job mentoring, supportive services, and more, for one year after program completion.
For adults experiencing difficulty in finding a job, the Resource Staff from the community action agency is available to supply information and guidance. They will help individuals in qualifying for programs offering the following services and resources.
- Individualized assistance with your job search and career development, including personalized resume development.
- Intake and assessment of your values, abilities, and career interests.
- Referral to partner and community resources for further help in meeting your vocational needs.
- Development of a short and long term employment plan.
- Support services to assist you through your job search or training.
- Subsidized training through private vocational schools, colleges, or on the job.
- Follow-up services for one year after gaining employment.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers free advice and income tax help to low to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own federal or state of California tax returns. Various non-profit organizations sponsor certified volunteers who are trained in preparing basic or even mildly complicated tax returns in communities across the state. VITA sites are generally located at neighborhood centers, community libraries, schools, shopping malls, post offices and other convenient locations. 1-800-829-1040.
The main office of the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership is at 420 E. Laurel Street, Willows, CA 95988. Call (530) 934-6638.
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