1. Mecosta County Community Support Systems Paula Sawyer Ferris State University

2. Need in Mecosta According to the US census bureau in 2008, 20.9% of the population in Mecosta county were living below poverty level. According to the US census bureau in 2008, 20.9% of the population in Mecosta county were living below poverty level. In comparison, 14.4 % were below the poverty level in the state of Michigan in 2008 In comparison, 14.4 % were below the poverty level in the state of Michigan in 2008

3. Assistance programs Assistance programs Third Ave Soup Kitchen Third Ave Soup Kitchen Offers free hot lunch every Wednesday (231) 796-6574 (231) 796-6574 Women, Infants, and children services Offers Food and nutrition programs to eligible pregnant women and children 0-5 years old. Offers Food and nutrition programs to eligible pregnant women and children 0-5 years old. Address: 14485 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI-49307 Phone: (231) 592-9440 Address: 14485 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI-49307 Phone: (231) 592-9440

4. Family Independence Agency (FIP) The main goal is to help families become self- supporting and independent The main goal is to help families become self- supporting and independent FIP is temporary cash assistance for low-income families with minor children and pregnant women. FIP is temporary cash assistance for low-income families with minor children and pregnant women. FIP helps them pay for living expenses such as rent, heat, utilities, clothing, food and personal care items. FIP helps them pay for living expenses such as rent, heat, utilities, clothing, food and personal care items.

5. Family Independence Agency FIP applicants and recipients may be assigned to Jobs, Education and Training (JET) for assistance in finding a job or to develop needed job skills. Help with transportation, childcare and other needs related to employment and training may be provided.

6. Family Independent Agency: Eligibility Requirements Michigan resident and intend to remain in Michigan and not be receiving cash assistance from another state Michigan resident and intend to remain in Michigan and not be receiving cash assistance from another state The asset limit for FIP is $3,000. Only cash assets are counted, such as: The asset limit for FIP is $3,000. Only cash assets are counted, such as: Cash on hand. Cash on hand. Bank and credit union accounts. Bank and credit union accounts. Investments. Investments. Retirement plans. Retirement plans. Trusts. Trusts. Assets such as your home, vehicles and personal belongings are not assessed. Assets such as your home, vehicles and personal belongings are not assessed.

7. Eligibility Requirements To qualify for FIP, children must be under the age of 18, or a high school student age 18-19. To qualify for FIP, children must be under the age of 18, or a high school student age 18-19. The child's parents, stepparents, and siblings who live together normally make up the FIP group. The child's parents, stepparents, and siblings who live together normally make up the FIP group. Pregnant woman; or parents whose child is in foster care but is expected to return home within one year can also be eligible Pregnant woman; or parents whose child is in foster care but is expected to return home within one year can also be eligible You cannot receive FIP for more than 48 months in your lifetime unless you qualify for an extension or an exception You cannot receive FIP for more than 48 months in your lifetime unless you qualify for an extension or an exception

8. Mid Michigan Community Action Agency Mission Statement: "Mid Michigan Community Action Agency supports families and individuals by providing access to resources and opportunities." Mission Statement: "Mid Michigan Community Action Agency supports families and individuals by providing access to resources and opportunities." “Mid Michigan Community Action helps individuals and families become self-sufficient. We help keep people warm; stay in their homes; save money through weatherization; prevent foreclosure; buy supplies for employment; and weather many other situations and crises that families face. We also work hard to strengthen families through programs serving pregnant women and young children.” “Mid Michigan Community Action helps individuals and families become self-sufficient. We help keep people warm; stay in their homes; save money through weatherization; prevent foreclosure; buy supplies for employment; and weather many other situations and crises that families face. We also work hard to strengthen families through programs serving pregnant women and young children.”

9. Mid Michigan Community Action Agency Services offered in Mecosta county: Services offered in Mecosta county: Heat and utility services Heat and utility services Food Assistance program Food Assistance program Weatherization Weatherization Preschool Preschool Early Head start Early Head start Mortgage/rent assistance Mortgage/rent assistance Homelessness Support Homelessness Support Financial Management and homebuyer education Financial Management and homebuyer education Foreclosure Prevention Foreclosure Prevention

10. Mid Michigan Community Action Agency Contact Information: Contact Information: Outreach Office 14330 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-660-0271 Outreach Office 14330 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-660-0271 www.mmcaa.org www.mmcaa.org

11. Project Starburst Services offered: Individual Case Management Services Sustainable Food Pantry Personal Hygiene Pantry Baby Supply and Diaper Pantry Household Goods Pantry Birthday Gift Program Cleaning Supply Pantry TIPLAP Housing Case Management Holiday Food/Gift Program

12. Project Starburst cont. Project Starburst cont. Prescription Medicine Program Prescription Medicine Program School Supplies Program School Supplies Program Specific Un-Met Needs Program Specific Un-Met Needs Program Medical Need Transportation Program Medical Need Transportation Program Infant Safe Sleep Program Infant Safe Sleep Program FSU/Project Starburst Optical Program FSU/Project Starburst Optical Program Laundry Program Laundry Program FSU/Project Starburst Dental Hygiene Program FSU/Project Starburst Dental Hygiene Program Collaborative Fresh Produce Program. Collaborative Fresh Produce Program.

13. Project Starburst Contact Information Contact Information Address: 120 S. State Street, Big Rapids, MI-49307 Phone: (231) 796-5342 Address: 120 S. State Street, Big Rapids, MI-49307 Phone: (231) 796-5342

14. Habitat for Humanity Seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat uses volunteer labor and money donations and donated materials. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families. Habitat uses volunteer labor and money donations and donated materials. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.

15. Habitat for Humanity Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. Payments are used to build more habitat homes

16. Habitat for Humanity Contact Information: PO Box 369 Mecosta, MI- 49332 Phone: (231) 972-2100

17. WISE women’s information service Provides: domestic violence and sexual assault counseling and an advocacy shelter Provides: domestic violence and sexual assault counseling and an advocacy shelter Contact information: Contact information: Po Box 1249 Po Box 1249 Big Rapids, MI 49307 Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-6600 (231) 796-6600

18. Crisis Hotlines National Hopeline Network Phone: (800)-SUICIDE (800) 784-2433 Hours: 24 hours daily National Hopeline Network Phone: (800)-SUICIDE (800) 784-2433 Hours: 24 hours daily Crisis counselors available and referral information to local resources. Crisis counselors available and referral information to local resources. Parent HELPline Phone: (800) 942-4357 (517) 351-4000 Hours: 24 hours daily www.gatewayservices.org Parent HELPline Phone: (800) 942-4357 (517) 351-4000 Hours: 24 hours daily www.gatewayservices.org Hotline assistance for abused children or parents who fear they may become abusive. Hotline assistance for abused children or parents who fear they may become abusive.

19. Crisis Hotline Sexual Assault Hotline (24 hrs daily) Phone: (877) 666-3267 www.gatewayservices.org Sexual Assault Hotline (24 hrs daily) Phone: (877) 666-3267 www.gatewayservices.org Information and referral and crisis counseling. Information and referral and crisis counseling. Vulnerable Adult Hotline Phone: (800) 996-6228 (517) 351-4000 Hours: 24 hours daily www.gatewayservices.org Vulnerable Adult Hotline Phone: (800) 996-6228 (517) 351-4000 Hours: 24 hours daily www.gatewayservices.org Crisis counseling regarding elder abuse and neglect and provides information and referrals for each county. Crisis counseling regarding elder abuse and neglect and provides information and referrals for each county.

20. References Ferris State University. (n.d.). Virtual Women's center. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.Ferris.edu/vwc/resources/loccom.htm Ferris State University. (n.d.). Virtual Women's center. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.Ferris.edu/vwc/resources/loccom.htm Mid Michigan Community Action Agency. (2010). Retrieved October 17, 2010 Mid Michigan Community Action Agency. (2010). Retrieved October 17, 2010 State of Michigan. (2010). Department of Human Services. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.michigan.gov/dhs State of Michigan. (2010). Department of Human Services. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.michigan.gov/dhs Habitat for Humanity. (2010). Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/affilate.aspx?place=59 Habitat for Humanity. (2010). Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/affilate.aspx?place=59 Ferris State University. (2010). Virtual Women's Center. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from Http:// www.ferris.edu/vwc/ecn/crisishotline.htm. Ferris State University. (2010). Virtual Women's Center. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from Http:// www.ferris.edu/vwc/ecn/crisishotline.htm.www.ferris.edu/vwc/ecn/crisishotline.htm US Census Bureau. (2010, August 16). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26107.html US Census Bureau. (2010, August 16). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26107.html