REACH Pikes Peak Community Action Agency assistance programs.
Across El Paso County Colorado, the Pikes Peak Community Action Agency, now known as REACH Pikes Peak, can assist the less fortunate, unemployed, and residents that are struggling. The non-profit has a few locations across the county and staff work to get individuals on track to long term stability and self-sufficiency. Some of what may be available is one time financial assistance, help with taxes, and a program known as Transition to Independence.
Emergency help with bills and stabilization programs
Most of the emergency aid is available as part of the Family Stabilization Services, or FSS. This will address the short term, emergency needs of the poor and less fortunate. This depends on funding and is provided the applicant is following a plan for long term stability.
FSS from Pikes Peak Community Action Agency can address emergency needs such as mortgage or rental assistance, funds for paying utilities, or free food. There is also free prescription vouchers, and even assistance with obtaining a valid identification. Other emergency aid is transportation, housing rehabilitation, and free budget counseling. Staff work to solve problems that may threaten a household’s progress toward long term, permanent self-sufficiency.
The El Paso Community Action Agency also helps families apply for benefits, such as SNAP food stamps, cash assistance or housing. This is mainly for very low income Colorado Springs area families who often live paycheck to paycheck. Food security is a focus, and learn more on SNAP food stamps in Colorado.
Many of the non-profit community action agency FSS clients use to be stable households however they find themselves in a crisis due to some unfortunate or unplanned event. Resources from PPCAA will stabilize these families in crisis so that they can get back on the road to self-sufficiency.
Not only may one time assistance be offered to families and individuals in crisis, but they also require enrollment into self-sufficiency and will address unemployment. The programs from Pikes Peak Community Action Agency help those El Paso County Colorado citizens that are hard-working so they would often otherwise fall through the cracks of other government benefits or social welfare programs.
Another high demand program in El Paso County is LEAP, or the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. This is run in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services. The state of Colorado and their LEAP program is a federally funded, state-supervised, county-administered system. Grants, funds and credits can help pay winter heating costs and gas bills.
Free budgeting, tax help, and financial literacy programs in Colorado Springs
VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance coordinates free income tax help for to low- to moderate-income families from the region. It is for those residents who cannot prepare their own tax returns for whatever reason. Certified, trained volunteers that are sponsored by various organizations receive training to help those from the community prepare basic tax returns. VITA sites that are run by PPCAA are generally located at neighborhood and community centers, schools, libraries, shopping malls, and other locations. Telephone 1-800-906-9887.
Case management from Transitions to Independence Program will assist low-income people and help them attain higher education and job skills. It focuses on individuals that are under employed, under educated, lack skills and whose income is at or below 185% of the federal government poverty level. Examples of the services offered to participants include job coaching, education assistance, as well as transportation.
There is also financial help as well as free items that may be needed for work. This can include uniform assistance, payments for testing costs, free clothing, and many other services. They will enable the client to increase their education level and job skills. The TIP program is run from 312 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, call 719.358.8396.
The Youth Education Savings Program is a matched savings program. It is for low income, at risk youth and students in the area. Among other things, the program teaches students and empowers them with fiscal responsibility, provides resources for educational assistance, accountability and post-secondary education. Address is 312 S. Weber St.. Dial 719.358.8396.
Similar to above is the Individual Development Account Program. This resource is for low-income and working poor individuals who have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level but they also need to have a job. The community action agency and the IDA program address the issue of self-sufficiency and poverty elimination. If clients save money, the federal government and non-profit agency will match a portion of their savings.
Address and phone number to get help from Pikes Peak Community Action Agency
There are several locations of Pikes Peak Community Action Agency and the Family Stabilization Services are offered from different locations. The main centers are as follows.
The main center is at 31 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. The intake and application number is (719) 358-8396.
- The administrative office is for 312 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, call 719.358.8396 to contact REACH Pikes Peak.
- The PPCAA-Walt Fortman Center is serving residents of Southern El Paso County, and the phone number and address is the same as the administrative center above.
- The Eastern El Paso County Center is at 701 4th St., Calhan, Call (719) 347-2976.
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