There are many assistance programs administered by TrueNorth. Some of the main types of rocks are listed below, but there are others. This non-profit is a regional agency that helps people in over 50 counties in northern Michigan. If they can’t help you directly, they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Some examples of services that are provided for free or at a low cost include emergency groceries from a food pantry and job programs from TEAM – Employment Access and Mentoring. The organization provides loans to students, medical equipment to seniors and the disabled, and affordable housing to Michigan residents.
The self-selection Food Pantry is a place where people who are hungry or who want to save money can go to fill out an application. The food bank will review your application, and if you meet the income and other requirements, you will get a free supply of healthy food once a month for up to five days.
The Food Staples Service is also available through the TrueNorth Pantry and helps to fight hunger in Michigan. This program provides essential groceries and other items, such as fruits, oatmeal, sugar, vegetables, flour and rice, which help to stretch a household’s monthly budget.
At TrueNorth, we offer financial assistance to those in need, as well as referrals to other organizations that can help. This includes Michigan residents who are struggling to pay for housing or heating costs.
Shelter is available from their partners on a limited basis. There is help available for individuals and families while they develop and carry out a permanent housing plan. The next step is to provide financial assistance to low-income households with rent payments or security deposits.
The assistance will help people obtain more affordable housing for those in crisis, which will help to prevent homelessness. Workshops and counseling sessions that educate landlords and tenants on how to be successful in their relationship will help to prevent future problems.
In addition to financial aid, there are programs like the emPower Program which can help with expenses. This service provides financial assistance to low-income families, the disabled, and seniors with paying heating and utility bills. The agency is also responsible for energy conservation initiatives. This fund provides financial assistance to help cover the costs of rent, food, and shelter for people who are struggling after a fire.
Classes that teach financial literacy help people learn what they need to know in order to be successful homeowners. The agency will teach people how to develop financial skills, budget and positive banking relationships. There is also information on how to get a mortgage. The Home Maintenance Education Program provides information on how to keep a property in good repair, which helps tenants and homeowners maintain balanced household budgets.
Services from TrueNorth for employment and education
The TrueNorth Employment Access and Mentoring Program helps people find and keep jobs. This website helps connect Michigan employers who are looking for workers with people who are looking for jobs. TEAM helps young people by giving them more chances to get an education, find a job, and have someone to look up to. Program services are designed to meet the unique needs of each job seeker. Services are flexible and can be customized to fit the individual needs of each participant.
The agency also helps clients who want to find more stable careers, or who are working to overcome obstacles such as lack of education that make it hard to get a sustainable job. The TEAM program provides services to help participants connect to resources in the community, set goals related to work and finances, and explore career options with the help of a counselor.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides free e-filing and state and federal income tax return preparation to low- and moderate-income residents. This project is done in partnership with Goodwill Industries of West Michigan. The client will also be able to receive any state and federal tax credits that they may qualify for. TrueNorth has partnered with Inc. to offer this service.
Many low to moderate income adults cannot read at a ninth grade level. The TrueNorth Project Literacy’s goal is to reduce illiteracy rates in northern Michigan. This will help improve the lives of individuals and families in the community and make the community as a whole stronger.
This program provides free, flexible, and confidential one-on-one tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to meet the educational needs of the community. Teachers will help participants achieve goals that may include finding employment, earning GED certificates or simply being able to read to their children.
The Youth Transitions Program is offered with the help of local courts. This program helps teenagers who are at risk by giving them a personalized plan to address the issues they are facing. Services typically involve intense case management, which may include counseling in family, group, or individual settings. The transition service is designed to help participants become valued and successful members of the community. It provides guidance and support to help them make the transition successfully.
The Michigan Family Court will send the juvenile to the program if it is part of their probation order. When someone has this done, TrueNorth staff members work closely with participants to help them with things like school, family, friends, work, and psychological services.
The Student Loan Program from TrueNorth is designed to help pay for education. The service provides loans at a lower interest rate for eligible residents who want to improve their lives by getting a higher education at any accredited university, college, or trade school. The program requires that the applicant has explored all other financial aid options from their school and the government before seeking funds.
Clothing, basic needs, and medical equipment programs
The TrueNorth Coats for Kids and Adults Program provides winter outerwear to working poor residents in northern Michigan, where winters are very cold. This could be a coat, boots, hat, and more. There is an annual event where people can donate coats at local schools, churches and libraries. The coats and other items will be gently used and/or newly purchased, and all of the winter apparel is given to those in need.
The Tools for School Program helps area students who need it by giving them supplies for a successful school year. This means that the agency will be able to provide new backpacks filled with supplies that are needed for the classroom.
CCP provides low-income families with the opportunity to choose from a wide range of age-appropriate gifts for their children, including books, puzzles, toys, games, clothes, art supplies, hats, mittens, gloves, electronics, and socks. TrueNorth will allow parents to give their children presents for the holiday. This Christmas program works together with the Toys for Tots Program to provide even more donated items.
TrueNorth will also help people who are truly vulnerable. This will focus on those who are at risk medically, seniors, the frail, and those who are homebound.
MedReady is a device that helps people live independently. The main focus is on helping seniors and the disabled. The program will help them stay independent in their own homes rather than in care facilities. TrueNorth will set up an automated medication management device called MedReady. MedReady will help make sure doses are not missed.
It is often combined with LifeLink, which is a phone line that provides emotional support to people who are experiencing difficult times. This service is available from TrueNorth and is a subscription-based system that is easy to use and summons emergency medical help. People who are at risk for sudden, serious health problems will benefit the most from this. The system can be programmed to remind the subscriber to take their medication or to remind them of an upcoming appointment.
The Medical Equipment Loan Program provides medical equipment to people who need it for their health. This means that clients can choose this option regardless of how much money they make. The TrueNorth service center in Fremont has a variety of health care items available each day. Typically, the program will have toilets, walkers, wheelchairs, car seats, crutches, and shower chairs to lend for personal use. We always welcome medical equipment donations from doctors and hospitals to help stock our inventory.
It’s important to have safe car seats for young children, but many low-income families are unable to afford them. One way that TrueNorth is trying to help families who are struggling financially is by offering infant and toddler car seats at a reduced price. To be eligible for this program, families must meet certain income requirements.
Yale Ave., Suite 650, Tulsa, OK 74136 or visit their website The programs offered by TrueNorth are based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma and more information can be found on their website. The address is Warner Ave, Fremont, MI 49412. Around 50 counties in northern Michigan are supported by this service. To use it, dial 231-924-0641.