Posted on Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 5:45 a.m.
Resources: Where to go for help in the Ann Arbor area
By David Jesse and Tina Reed
Finding it harder to make it by in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County? Here’s a look at available resources that we’ve found during our reporting of this series.
FINDING …
… Social services
- The Washtenaw County office of the Department of Human Services is located at 22 Center Street in Ypsilanti. Call (734) 481-2000 or visit http://www.ewashtenaw.org/
government/departments/fia - Contact Washtenaw County’s 211 service by dialing 2-1-1 or calling 1-866-953-HELP. It is a 24-hour helpline provided by United Way to help those looking for information about human services to connect with the correct agency. http://washtenaw211.org/
- SOS Community Services serves the county with short-term housing crisis counseling, eviction prevention, utility help, food and personal hygiene items and other programs. http://www.soscs.org/SOS
- Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County offers adoption and pregnancy counseling, food assistance, homelessness prevention, counseling and other programs. http://www.csswashtenaw.org/
- Friends Indeed is an interfaith network that gives emergency help to low-income residents for basic needs, car repairs, utilities, housing and other emergency needs. Call 734-484-4357 or visit www.friendsindeed.info.
- The Salvation Army offers a food pantry, family shelter, utility help, eviction protection and other services. Call 734-668-8353 or visit www.sawashtenaw.org.
- Check out an interactive map provided by Food Gatherers of local agencies that provide food pantries and meals: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=103338859008573133370.00043619a69844bd2071d&ie=UTF8&ll=42.271706,-83.793919&spn=0.467449,0.818481&z=10&om=1
- Community Action Network’s Community Food Program distributes groceries from Food Gatherers to low income residents of Ann Arbor on the first and third Thursday of every month at the Bryant Community Center at 3 W. Eden in Ann Arbor. For more information, call 734-994-2722.
… Housing
- Whether you're in need of assistance with loan or foreclosure counseling or help getting out of a predatory loan, check out county provided tax foreclosure prevention at http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/treasurer/TFP or mortgage foreclosure prevention http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/treasurer/MFP or call 734-222-9595.
- Avalon Housing develops and manages housing for low-income residents. www.avalonhousing.org
- Ozone House offers counseling services, transitional housing and life skills training to those ages 10 to 20 years old. www.ozonehouse.org
- Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley works with low-income families to build affordable housing with interest-free loans. www.h4h.org
- Washtenaw County etcs is a government department that offers job training, employment assistance and other programs. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/etcs/
… Health care
• WIC or the Women, Infants, and Children program run through the Washtenaw County Public Health Department provides health and nutrition programs, as well as food and health referrals. Call 734-544-6800 or visit www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/ph_hltwic.html
… Transportation
- Fixed reduced rates for bus service are available through the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for senior citizens - http://www.theride.org/goodasgold.asp - and some community programs receive donated bus tokens for those who are using their services. http://www.theride.org/CommunityDonations.asp
… Education
- The MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program offers nutrition education and food safety training to those who qualify. Call 734-997-1678.