Good Neighbors emergency assistance.
Find help with basic needs, employment, and some financial aid from Good Neighbors. Funds are available mostly as the result of federal government grants as well as partners such as Ecumenical Action Council or local churches. Assistance from the charity is intended to empower struggling families by giving them the time and help they need to gain stability. Resources are available across Blount County for people of all backgrounds, religions, and ages.
A key focus is on helping families achieve stability and overcome their hardships or poverty. The staff listen to their needs and try to find solutions. Any financial aid is very limited and is offered as a hand up. It also relies on donations from partners such as the United Way and others.
Programs for employment and stability
The Work Ready Service from Good Neighbors of Blount County offers an opportunity for TANF participants as well as very low income clients to access pre-job placement services. In addition, it provides clients access to intensive case management services to eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency, including issues related to transportation, mental health or affordable day care.
The goal is to prepare participants to make the transition into a job placement program or into an employment situation somewhere in Blount County. So career counseling from the charity is ongoing.
Part of the Good Neighbors mission is to provide services that strengthen children, teens, and their families, while also improving their health, safety, and quality of life. The educational programs promote and support early childhood development. This is a long term solution to poverty in Tennessee.
The services address readiness to begin school, education, and family support through collaboration with parents, community partners, as well as staff. The holistic approach integrates health, nutrition, childhood and adult literacy programs from across Blount County as well.
Good Neighbors has information on federal funded Early Head Start, which offers childhood education, in addition to health, mental health, and nutritional services. This is for children from Blount County that range in age from birth to age three. Also provides education and services that focus on prenatal health and positive parenting skills. Children who participate exhibit gains skills.
Head Start from Good Neighbors is set up as either full and half-day programs. The classes are available at many locations throughout Blount County and offer activities and programming that foster positive social, emotional, cognitive (language, reading, and math), and physical development. The goal is to fully prepare the student for beginning school.
Good Neighbors financial assistance
As noted, this is very limited. At the Good Neighbors main center, the non-profit will try to provide outreach services. There may also be free food, gently used clothing or furniture, individual and family counseling, and links to community resources for our neighbors in need.
This is only for people that agree to move toward self sufficiency. The applicant will need to agree to a case plan and follow up services with the GN staff member or volunteer. The Blount County family will need to participate in training and educational programs, among other steps.
-Emergency support includes food boxes, clothing, furniture such as cribs, legal assistance, and more. -Another goal of the Good Neighbors outreach is to serve as true agents of change within the community, so the focus is to offer short term aid will addressing self-sufficiency and long-term sustainable lifestyles.
-Some funds may assist with expenses such as rent or electric bills in a crisis.
-A food pantry will feed those facing hunger, and it is combined with meals as well.
-Clothing for work or employment needs are for job seekers in Blount County.
Each individual or struggling family who expresses interest in accessing the numerous available resources is required complete an Emergency Services Intake Sheet. Requested information can include, but is not limited to, proof of address, income, and social security numbers for all individuals living in the household. Responses provide vital information that assists the team at Good Neighbors in making referrals to appropriate partnering agencies in Blount County for financial help.
The charity operates from an office at 1741 Triangle Park Dr, Maryville, TN 37801. The intake number is (865) 681-5420.
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