Assistance from Family Resource Center.
Low income families in Butler County can receive assistance with their basic needs from Family Resource Center. The charity and its partner organizations in Oxford, most of which are churches, will coordinate services for housing, food, and basic needs, including access to the FRC Thrift Store.
While resources are limited, a focus of any type of financial aid will be for families facing hunger or eviction. There is an additional priority for households with children or a elderly member in Butler County, as those individuals would be most at risk without additional support. Some of the main programs from FRC are noted below.
Emergency financial help from Family Resource Center
Rental assistance was designed to help low income households and tenants that are facing eviction from their apartment or home. In order to qualify for any type of support, the landlord has to have served the applicant a written eviction notice and they also need to be at least one month behind on their rent.
Any money paid out is one time only and is not a never ending subsidy. Therefore the client will also be required to have some type of income coming in the door so they can pay the rent on their own in the future. So the income can be from social security, TANF, a job, disability, etc.. This is required to get any help from Family Resource Center, and even in some cases they will still use a loan for the client.
Homeless Supportive Services is for families or individuals that are on the streets or maybe sleeping in a friends house. Assistance is available for people who are both short and long-term homeless. Services include shelter and case management plus direct financial assistance.
Any type of direct financial assistance from Family Resource Center will only be an option once the client is stabilized, and this can be funds for a security deposit or first months rent. This will be combined with long term case management and self-sufficiency services. The goal is to end the cycle of homelessness.
Free food pantries and clothing closets, as well as the thrift store (see below), from Family Resource Center and local charities or churches offer basic needs. The pantry provides groceries for people and families that are experiencing hunger or food insecurity, with a focus of children as well as the elderly.
Clients of the pantry receive food items and free ingredients necessary for well-balanced meal preparation. They also learn how to shop smarter and more effectively for groceries on their own, including using unit pricing. In addition to the regular package of goods, individuals may also receive fresh fruit and produce, meats, baby formula, and more. Some items are even grown in a local community garden. Special needs are met for those who are homeless or that have dietary needs. Or when it comes to shopping advice from Family Resource Center, learn more on using unit pricing in shopping for groceries.
Clothing is passed out too. People who that are assisted by the charity can select their own clothing items after an interview with a volunteer or full time staff member. Nearly all items in the pantries and clothing banks are donated, and children’s underwear, winter coats, blankets and diapers are purchased when funds are available.
Thrift Stores in Butler County provide the community with low-cost yet quality used clothing, furniture, dishes, household items, toys, linens, books, and more. This can be a great resource for low income families to turn to for help. The community is invited to stop in at Family Resource Center and any of their programs and see what we have to offer.
Information, development and referrals
Family development from Family Resource Center is a form of case management services, and the goal is to assist in individuals as well as family stability. Staff and volunteers will help people move a family towards self-sufficiency, and it covers topics such as employment as well as saving and budgeting.
Information and advocacy for the working poor is provided from churches and charities in Butler County. These various advocacy services are designed to protect and promote the rights of older persons as well as the less fortunate through a variety of resources. Clients can learn about job placement centers and non-profit credit counseling, or learn about welfare and public aid in Butler County Ohio. There are also grants available in Oxford Ohio and surrounding towns that people can apply to for housing or basic needs, and information can be provided on them. Or learn more about how to get public assistance in Ohio.
The so called Family and Individual Support address the cause of the crisis. FRC will offer workshops on GED Test Preparation or ESL Classes and immigrants can even benefit from English for Speakers of Other Languages.
Applying to Family Resource Center services
While resources from the Family Resource Center are limited, they are a place for referrals. As an example, parents can learn about places to contact for free diapers or baby formula in Butler County. They also have information on home repair programs for senior citizens, and may refer patients to clinics for free eye exams or glasses. Much more is offered too.
As noted, Family Resource Center offers some or all of the above to the needy and less fortunate. For more information, the agency is at 5445 College Corner Pike, Oxford, Ohio 45056 and can be called at 513) 523-5859 or 513-523-2047
|
