Chautauqua Opportunities is an organization that helps people in need by providing financial assistance and connecting them with social services. This is a non-profit community action agency that provides help to the less fortunate in the community. Each year, many elderly people, unemployed people, and families with low incomes rely on this organization for help. There are many things that can be addressed such as emergency heating bill help, food, and rental costs.
Chautauqua Opportunities is committed to helping people escape poverty rather than enabling families to be comfortable or complacent in it. The main goal is to help people in crisis or emergency situations. This process will involve creating plans to help low-income individuals and families budget their money, make more money, pay off debts, and save money. COI organizes the appropriate tools, resources, and opportunities to make this happen.
Find rent help and homeless assistance
A number of different services are available to families in Chautauqua County who are facing homelessness due to eviction, bankruptcy, foreclosure, unpaid utility bills, domestic violence, or a natural disaster. These services are designed to help prevent homelessness from occurring, and to help families get back on their feet if they do become homeless. The COI offers housing support specialists who can help clients either pay their back rent or find affordable housing that meets their individual needs.
This program not only prevents homelessness, but also helps the client by doing a financial analysis and giving guidelines on how to get and keep low income housing or apartments. The staff will help you compare different housing options and neighborhoods in the area.
If you are struggling to pay your rent, you may be eligible for emergency financial assistance. This can help you avoid eviction. There may be money available to help pay for the first month’s rent or security deposit to get an affordable place to live.
Chautauqua Opportunities provides veterans and their family members with assistance with the costs of finding suitable and affordable housing using federal government funding received from the Veterans Administration. The non-profit community action organization collaborates with the VA Medical Center and Chautauqua County’s Veteran’s Services Agency to assist veterans in accessing services and benefits available from the US Federal Government.
Utility help from Chautauqua Opportunities
Energy conservation can help people save money by reducing energy consumption. In the area of weatherization or energy efficiency, COI housing rehabilitation specialists are qualified to help with improving the energy efficiency of homes by installing energy efficient products such as hot water tanks, insulation, windows and doors, and energy efficient lighting, as well as repairing heating systems.
Chautauqua Opportunities offers cost saving energy efficiency measures as well as basic repair services to help increase the value and safety of your home. The resources offered for low income homeowners include Roof Repair and Replacement, Foundation Repair or Replacement, new Windows or Doors, Handicapped Accessibility Improvements, High Efficiency Heating Equipment, and Air Sealing Measures.
COI offers low-interest loans for the purchase of home appliances, including stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers, and freezers. Loans can be taken out to cover the cost of a new appliance, with the interest rate staying the same over the duration of the loan.
COI offers personal loans to help improve your credit by making monthly payments on time. In order to be eligible for this, you must receive counseling and meet other conditions.
Financial counseling, including mortgage assistance
The non-profit COI is approved by the US Treasury Department to give pre-bankruptcy advice and guidance, as well as post-bankruptcy debtor education. The counseling sessions will be personalized to each client’s financial situation and will help them devise a plan to start over. Additionally, Chautauqua Opportunities may offer their services at a lower price (or for no charge) to clients who are unable to pay on their own.
If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, don’t wait until your lender sends you a foreclosure notice to seek out foreclosure counseling. If you’re having trouble making your housing payments, you can make an appointment to meet with a HUD-certified housing counselor at COI.
The counselor will help people by giving them advice about what to do to avoid being scammed or taken advantage of by a predatory lender. If you are struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments in Chautauqua County, New York, there are organizations that can help you for free. These foreclosure prevention services can give you the support you need to get back on track.
The financial literacy program can help clients manage their money by looking at their income, expenses, debts, and savings. Counselors help you figure out what you want to improve in your life, and then work with you to make those improvements.
Credit counselors from a non-profit organization can help you understand your credit report, offer solutions to credit card bills, resolve errors, and create a manageable payment plan with your creditors.
The VITA program provides IRS-certified volunteers to help low income residents with their taxes. The tax preparers help people file their Federal and State taxes for free. In addition to receiving your refund quickly, you will also receive a Refund Anticipation Check.
Head Start from Chautauqua Opportunities community action
COI has a program called Early Head Start which provides many opportunities for young children and parents. There are many family support services, programs for children and families, and more available.
The services offered by Head Start help improve the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and developmental skills of infants and toddlers. Counselors, staff, and teachers can help pregnant women get the comprehensive medical care they need before and after childbirth. They can provide social services and help families to become more independent and to accumulate wealth.
If an infant or toddler is attending an Early Head Start child care center, they will receive free food and meals as part of their daily nutrition. The Early Education Program from Chautauqua Opportunities provides additional services and assistance programs, including help with accessing health insurance and free medical and dental services in the community. The state-licensed child care facility provides services in partnership with the National Center of Excellence. These services may be provided in your home or at the facility.
The Chautauqua Opportunities are located in New York.
The Laughlin Community Action Center is a nonprofit organization located at 402 Chandler Street in Jamestown, New York. The organization provides assistance to low-income families and individuals in the form of food, clothing, and other necessities. To contact the center, dial 716-661-9430.
Connections North is a Dunkirk, New York-based organization that can be reached at 716-366-8176.
Connections South is a community-based organization located at 2887 Fluvanna-Townline Road, Jamestown, NY 14707. You can reach them at 716-483-5779.