Assistance programs from Genesee County Community Action Resource Department.
Dozens of resources are available to low income families from the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department. The non-profit provides short term support to the less fortunate and directs them to longer term assistance as well, including free government grant money. Tackling challenges from both of these directions makes it more likely that clients will be put on the path the stability.
Housing, rent, food and utility programs
Weatherization will lower a homeowners energy costs. The program is for low-income families, particularly for people with disabilities, the elderly, seniors, and families with children. It will improve the energy efficiency of their homes while also ensuring their health and safety of occupants. Services and improvement to the home may include Health and Safety Inspection, Sidewall Insulation, Door or Window Repair or Replacement, Furnace Cleaning, Repair or Replacement, Hot Water Heater Repair or Replacement, and Free CFL Light Bulbs. The office is at 601 N. Saginaw St., Suite 1B, Flint Michigan. 48502-2009.
Homeless Services from the Continuum of Care will provide Flint area clients with needed resources, including rent money. It can help the homeless and very poor from slipping through the cracks in the system. Several partners in Genesee County, including One Stop Shop, YWCA Safehouse, Shelter of Flint, Carriage Town Shelters, My Brothers Keeper, and others work on immediate needs. Shelters and transitional housing units are from Shelter Plus Care Program and other HUD funded resources. There are many other local and national resources as well, and look here if you need help paying your rent.
The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department Commodities Food Program can reduce hunger in the area. It is offered in partnership with cooperating organizations and charities. It will provide children and low-income residents with access to free groceries, food, a more healthy diet, as well as nutrition education. It is run from 2727 Lippincott Blvd. Flint, Michigan 48507.
Some additional hunger fighting resources are the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). It is federal government funded which focuses on children up to age six, low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, new mothers, infants, and senior citizens at least 60 years of age. CSFP provides free food to supplement the diets of these groups. Thousands of packages of food and canned items are given to low-income mothers, infants, children and seniors per month. Qualified families are provided on a monthly basis with a wide variety of nutritious food items and nutritional education information.
TEFAP, or the Emergency Food Assistance Program, is a crisis program that residents can apply to at GCCARD quarterly. The USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture is a key partner of this program.
USDA Summer Food Service Program for children and students serves daily meals and extra commositied to qualified children during the summer months.
Michigan State Emergency Funds help qualified families and individuals faced with eviction situations and utility shut-off situations. Staff from Genesee County Community Action Resource Department can provide details on this option.
The Michigan Public Service Commission may have information to help qualified families and individuals with utility bills and costs. Funds can also help with deposits on an emergency basis. Assistance can be for the payment of connection, re-connection and/or hook-up charges for same.
Cash assistance from TANF, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, can help very low income families with children under the age of 18. It can also assist people with housing/rent and utility needs. Grants from TANF will allow Genesee County families to divert household resources to other needs such as rent, utilities, prescription medications, clothing, etc. It will also fill gaps in their nutritional needs.
The community action agency case workers can also help low income families apply for other public assistance. There is everything from Medicaid to Section 8, nursing home programs, vouchers for prescription drugs, cash aid from disability and more. The main office is in Flint. Learn more on public assistance benefits in Michigan.
Emergency assistance from the GCCARD Neighborhood Services Center is for the working poor and low income in Genesee County. The non-profit community action agency offers clients a helping hand. Assistance is for heating bills, housing, paying rent, clothing, and other crisis needs. Referrals can help the less fortunate locate other resources in the community.
MDSS - Michigan Department of Social Services in Genesee County can assist qualified individuals who have eviction situations. This cash assistance/grant program allows for emergency help with a number of bills. Look into support for housing rental fees, utility costs, unpaid/delinquent property taxes, furnace and hot water heater repairs, as well as roof repairs. Yet another option is Family Independent Agency. It can also help with many of those costs.
The Senior Nutrition Program from the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department serves free hot, nutritious meals to eligible persons. It is for seniors, aged 60 and over, and their spouses and will support them in maintaining independent lifestyles. Partners include the Valley Area Agency on Aging center.
Home Delivered Meals, or Meals on Wheels, are for the homebound in the city of Flint, including disabled and homebound seniors. All of the free food and meals served provide for diabetic, low fat, calorie controlled and low salt diets.
Congregate feeding sites are at dozens of locations in Genesee County. The locations may serve a hot noon meal, nutrition education and outreach in a group setting. Other social and rehabilitative services and workshops are held too. Other meal programs include the Kosher Meal Program as well as the Liquid Nutrition Supplement.
Job training and self-sufficiency from GCCARD
Employment Assistance from Michigan Works! Is an option for Genesee County Michigan residents. The program may offer them a number of services and advice. It is for the unemployed, job seekers, and even employers.
GCCARD and the Michigan Works! Employment Service acts as a local one stop center. Hundreds of people can use a database to find a job, post their resume, and get help. Resume review services, information on job training programs, and other support is available.
Gig, work and stay at home opportunities are also available. The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department can advise clients on the pros and cons of gig work, assist with information on getting health insurance or saving for retirement, and in general support this endeavor. More on stay and work at home gig jobs.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) will help people work towards permanent employment attainment. Other assistance is skills training, mentorship from career oriented people, help in navigating community resources, and ongoing training counseling.
Head Start is for children. GCCARD will work in partnership with families and their children to support the achievement of their goals. The program advocates, supports and provides comprehensive quality services for children from low income families and their parents through community and family partnerships. Local schools also participate. The sites are 719 Harrison Street, Flint, MI 48502, 810-235-5613 and also 601 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 1B, Flint, Michigan 48502.
Applying for grants and assistance from Flint and Genesee County community action
To learn more, call the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department. It is at 605 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 1B, Flint, MI 48502-2009. Call (810) 232-2185.
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