Yampa Valley Love Inc. assistance program and basic needs.
Services are coordinated across the greater Yampa Valley of Colorado by Love Inc. The charity partners with churches and other non-profits in an effort to help low income families and those who are less fortunate. Most of the resources are focused on basic needs, such as food, clothing, and baby formula. However churches may also help with basic car repairs or maintenance and provide short term housing for certain clients as well.
What has to occur is that an individual needs to call the Love intake line. Volunteers will take their information, and refer the individual to a program, if they qualify. Clients will also need to agree to, or be on the way to self-sufficiency. The charity help people in the following region, including Steamboat Springs, Routt County, Rangely, Moffat County, Rio Blanco, Milner, Yampa, Craig, Meekers, and other nearby towns.
Transitional Housing is available for those that have been recently evicted or the unemployed. A main goal of this Yampa Valley program is to allow people time to find a job or save money for the rent or security deposit on a new home. The number of units is very limited, and the applicants needs to be well on the way to self-sufficiency.
Volunteers and staff from the churches will also offer the guest self-help classes and try to give other items to the needy. It may include free clothing, furniture, personal needs, and food. All of this is in addition to the emergency housing. Also, the program is customized for the needs of each applicant.
Furniture, which will be gently used, is available from a ministry. Volunteers and other staff from churches in the region will both collect and pass out furniture to needy and low income households. This program operates in Routt and Moffat counties. All requests need to go through the Yampa Valley Clearinghouse. There may be beds, tables, frames, cribs and other items available.
Car maintenance, and maybe very basic repairs, may be offered from Love Inc. Yampa Valley. The ministry will help single mothers, disabled individuals, seniors, and those seeking a job with vehicle maintenance such as tires, repairs or even free oil changes.
Food banks in the region use donations from the community. There are both non-perishable and perishable goods offered by churches in the area, including Rio Blanco and Routt County. For those that qualify, Love Inc. and its partners may provide up to 2 weeks worth of free food or groceries. There may be breads, meats, pasta, cereal, canned goods and more. Also, to St. Michael's Kitchen will often serve low income or the homeless a free hot meal.
Laundry, Personal Needs and the Shower Ministry offers cleaning supplies, shower, personal care items, and a laundry facility to the needy in Yampa Valley.
Free clothing and diapers are offered at the Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center as well as the Clothing for Kids Ministry. There may be winter coats, wipes, school uniforms, and maybe even entire sets of clothing for children and students. Love INC and local churches also collects gently-used or new coats, winter hats, gloves, boots and scarves to be given to anyone in need as part of Community Coat Drive.
In addition to that, Love Inc. clearinghouse has referrals to school supplies. Volunteers from the region work with businesses to deliver new backpacks filled with supplies, clothing or notebooks in time for the new year. Teachers may also benefit from this, so they do not need to spend their hard earned money on goods.
Holiday programs include Thanksgiving Meals and gifts that are part of Adopting Families for Christmas. There are free meals served at local churches as well as Sunset Meadow I and II. Seniors, the disabled, and home-bound individuals may also get a home delivery of Christmas or Thanksgiving meals. So applicants will be given a Thanksgiving food box in lieu of these items.
The Christmas programs include food boxes or meals for families. On the other hand, children will receive free gifts, toys, games, or even vouchers for the holiday.
The Clearinghouse from Love Inc. of Yampa will have information or referrals to other services as well. They will include Carpentry Work, Tutoring for Children or Adults, Budget Counseling, Moving Assistance, Firewood and more.
Some of the more financial aid type programs, though very limited, are as follows. These church programs come with stringent application processes. Electric Bill or Water Assistance, Prescription Medications, Gasoline vouchers for work, Emergency Bus Ticket, and long term food programs.
For more information, or to call the intake line, dial (970)826-4400.
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