Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) assistance programs.
The non-profit Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, or CAASTLC, is focused on helping individuals gain self-sufficiency and ending poverty. The non-profit will coordinate education and job training, housing and emergency rental assistance, and also help families apply for utility assistance from government benefits such as LIHEAP. The organization is a leading organization in the region.
While all of the financial assistance is limited, the non-profit will do its best to meet needs or offer referrals if that is a better option. However that aid is not the best long term solution, and employment and education is always critical.
Emergency assistance
The CAASTLC Food Pantry will provide groceries, canned goods, fruits, vegetables and more. Specialial holiday selections may be available too.
Housing and rent assistance programs are available for qualified individuals and families in Saint Louis Missouri. Programs include housing counseling, help with home ownership, partial rent and mortgage assistance, utility bill payment support, and energy savings programs/weatherization.
CAASTLC is involved in running several Energy Services programs, with a focus on assistance for heating bills during the winter. For low income residents that are facing the threat of utility service disconnection or shut off, the non-profit organization will help you get utility service restored. Assistance is for electricity, gas, propane, or heating oil. These utility bill programs include Energy Assistance (EA), LIHEAP - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the federal government funded Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), Dollar Help, and Dollar More. The applications are processed at CAASTLC, Inc., 2709 Woodson Road, Overland, Missouri 63114.
Conservation is encouraged too. Each of the assistance programs also include classes in how to save money by conserving energy in your home, making minor energy related repairs, weather proofing your home, as well as the repair or installation of furnaces or hot water tanks. Or get help in dealing with air conditioners during hot summer months when documented by a physician.
The LIHEAP program is for those low income, seniors, and disabled that need help with paying utility and heating bills. For those from St. Louis that are interested in applying for grants from the Winter Heating Assistance program, they will need a disconnection notice. Find additional information on energy bill assistance in Missouri.
While more limited, the Summer Cooling Assistance helps pay electric an air conditioning bills. Most of this aid is for seniors or the disabled in Missouri. Applicants need to have electric services shut off to be considered for assistance. They can also apply if they have a disconnection notice.
Assistance for paying Water Utility Bills from the H2O Help is offered from the non-profit Community Action Agency of St. Louis County. Aid is for Missouri American Water customer who meet income limits and that are at risk of losing their water service. The financial assistance program helps customers who would otherwise not be able to pay for their water bill on their own.
Emergency rent and mortgage assistance is limited. For those facing an eviction or foreclosure, they can call (314) 863-0015. Proof of hardship and eviction will be needed as well.
The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program can reduce the impact of high heating bills and other home energy costs. It is for both homeowners and renters. Assistance is for families facing poverty and income eligible residents. Your utility bills will be reduced by implementing free energy-efficient measures such as completing an air quality assessment, reducing air infiltration, furnace repairs, installing insulation, or repairing or replacing a heating system. An application is required. Call (314) 863-0015 foe details or to apply.
Loan programs including debt reduction assistance can be arranged by the St. Louis Community Action agency, or CAASTLC. They combine referrals as well as information on financing. Emergency loans in St. Louis can be used by residents of all income levels and backgrounds when they have a crisis.
The Individual Development Account (IDA) is for residents that are looking to buy a home or save money for a business or college. Participation in the non-profits IDA program requires participants to successfully complete the program including saving a portion of their income towards the down payment of a home. Eligible families work with specialized IDA program staff member from CAASTLC to improve their credit history and scores. They will put into position to successfully complete a financial fitness curriculum and be able to meet one-on-one with a certified Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counselor.
Apply for Down Payment Assistance for First Time Home Buyers from Community Action Agency of St. Louis County programs. Grants and financial assistance is available to those income qualified individuals and families who qualify to purchase a home. They can be provided with a interest deferred, low cost loan. It is available in St. Louis County, the City of O’Fallon, St. Charles City & County, and other regions. In some cases up to $5000 may be issued from the loan.
Free Housing Counseling is offered by CAASTLC for a number of different housing-related issues. Specialists will help families prevent an eviction, stabilize their housing situation; Helps families move from rental housing to home ownership; help with the mortgage process; and assist on landlord/tenant issues.
Education and job training from CAASTLC
As indicated, this is a focus and can help the under and unemployed. General Educational Development / GED Preparation is offered in partnership with Ritenour School District. It is for young adults under the age of 24. This GED program provides training and services in job readiness, GED preparation, life skill development, counseling and case management. Call (314) 446-4417.
An annual Back-to-School Fair is for children in the region. The Fair provides those that qualify for free items with school supplies (pencils, pens, rulers, paper, and other backpack items). In preparation for the upcoming year, students also get free dental screenings, haircuts, basic healthcare services, and other services. (314) 863-0015.
Life skill building classes and courses cover topics such as conserving energy and saving money in your home, family literacy and communication skills, developing your own individual account, making a budget for yourself, getting yourself ready for employment, plan nutritional meals, parenting and child development, and women’s issues of domestic abuse.
Examples of these Life Skills Classes include Parenting and Child Development, Budgeting, Veteran Support Services, Energy Conservation, and Home Management and Maintenance.
CAASTLC’s Employment and Job Development Programs includes Placement, Job Readiness, and Career Fairs.
- Job Placement from Community Action Agency of St. Louis County are for those that completed a placement class. This program provides clients with information, resources and placements for individuals seeking employment in the region. Clients will work with a dedicated employment specialist who serves as a job coach and an advisor. Supplies and support offered may also include an interview suit, transportation assistance, or other assistance needed to search for a job. The CAASTLC ‘s computer lab is available for use as well for completing a resume and other activities.
- Job Readiness Classes help clients enhance skills to find and retain a job. Individuals will enter into workshops and take classes on how to interview for a job, writing an effective resume, budgeting, how to manage your finances and time and more.
- Job Fairs are arranged by CAASTLC a few times per year in St. Louis Missouri. The non-profit organization works with many businesses and employers located in the area to hold the fairs.
Self-sufficiency and Family Assistance
The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County staff work to help people become stable and self-sufficient over the long term. This will help people overcome poverty. As most know, it can be time consuming and confusing to apply for government benefits, organize training, find a job, and rebuild credit. CAASTLC makes the process of connecting to the local services, government agencies and non-profit resources you need easier through Family Intake, Referrals and their Assessment program.
The Family Support Case Management program will give individuals a specialist to work with. Through free home-based Case Management services, the participants of the program will learn to become self-sufficient over the long term through the development of educational and employment goals.
Together you will partner with a Case Manager to explore a number of education, employment and other options. Get help with budgeting, personal growth and development skills, developing literacy skills, and receive referrals to other community resources. Other case management type assistance can include financial help to pay utility bills, family counseling assistance, free food and rental assistance.
How to apply for financial help from Community Action Agency of St. Louis County
To learn more or apply for help, call Community Action Agency of St. Louis County / CAASTLC, Inc. . The address is 2709 Woodson Rd., Overland, Missouri 63114-4817. Call (314) 863-0015.
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