Get Help!

If you are in need, please seek out assistance. 

Call the 2-1-1 call center Call 2-1-1 for information about social services available in your community. Click here for more information http://211us.org/

The 2-1-1/HELP-Line provides crisis intervention and referrals to health and human service agencies in Kalamazoo County as well as to communities across the State of Michigan . Our Staff is highly trained in skills that empower callers to make life-enhancing decisions. We specialize in linking people to appropriate community resources (Local Resources).

Whether a person needs help locating a specific service or is having trouble securing basic needs, we can help. The 2-1-1/HELP-Line operates 24 hours a day—365 days a year. Calls are confidential and answered with respect, empathy and compassion. We are experts in suicide prevention and are fully certified by the American Association of Suicidology. We are part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network and meet national standards for Best Practices for Suicide Prevention Hot Lines.

Individuals wishing to learn about volunteer training for the 2-1-1/HELP-Line should fill out an on-line application or call us at (269) 381-1510.

 

Emergency Services Guide 2012 - 2013

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The 2012 - 2013 Emergency Services Guide provides detailed information on the various emergency services offered in Kalamazoo. Click any of the links below for more information regarding these services.

 

Housing Assistance

• Adults & Families
• All ages/Families
• Families
• 18 years & up
• Females 17-35 years
• Women 20 years & up
• Males 17-35 years old
• Youth 10-17 years old
• Domestic Violence Victims & Their Children

 

Utility & Fuel Assistance

• Michigan Department of Human Services
• Utility Assistance Community Collaborative (Salvation Army & Community Action Bureau)

 

Emergency Food

• Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
• WIC / KCHCS
• Michigan Department of Human Services
• Tri-County Food Bank
• Ministry with Community
• Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
• Senior Services, Inc.
• Salvation Army

Other Emergency Needs & Community Centers

• Michigan Department of Human Services
• Kalamazoo Deacons Conference
• Family Health Center Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
• Comstock Community Center
• Douglass Community Association

• Portage Community Center

• South County Community Services
• Free Clinic of Kalamazoo
• Healthcare for the Homeless Clinic Family Health Center

 

 

Original Documentation

Emergency Services Guide 2012 - 2013 (pdf)


 

 

 

Housing Assistance

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Adults and Families

Housing Resources, Inc.

382-0287

345 N. Burdick

 

ELIGIBLE: Kalamazoo County residents experiencing a housing emergency.

 

SERVICE: Clearinghouse for emergency housing assistance. The services include general housing information & counseling, referral to appropriate community agencies, emergency shelter placements, advocacy services (e.g., landlord/tenant intervention), housing options (assistance with securing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing), & limited financial assistance. Due to limited resources, 1 out of 10 people receive financial grants.

 

Grant minimum eligibility requirements:

 

1. Kalamazoo County resident for at least 6 months.

2. Must be a sustainable solution.

3. Client must have income or pending income.

 

HRI also provides supportive services and rental assistance to homeless families making a transition to permanent housing and to tenuously housed persons to help stabilize their housing and prevent homelessness. HRI operates the Rickman House, permanent subsidized housing for homeless single adults, primarily with mental illness, along with Pinehurst Townhomes, Summit Park Apartments and Rosewood, permanent housing for families with low incomes.

 

CONTACT: Galyn Barnum

 

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All Ages/Families

Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

345-2974

448 N. Burdick

 

ELIGIBLE: Persons 18 and older. Younger persons if accompanied by a legal guardian.

 

SERVICE: Offers emergency shelter and longer term services. Has housing units and programs for men, men w/children, women, women with children and married couples with or without children.

 

Number of beds: 234 (75 for longer term programs)

 

Three meals a day provided on site Monday - Sunday.

 

CONTACT: Women Ext. 231

                 Men      Ext. 227

 

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Families

Family Shelter (Housing Resources)

382-5609

522 Eleanor Street

 

ELIGIBLE: Homeless families with children from Kalamazoo County SERVICE: Provides 24-hr. shelter for families in need of emergency shelter. Housing search assistance & support services available to help stabilize homeless families. Will accept two-parent and single-parent families. Must wait six months before repeated use.

Number of beds: 6 rooms (24 person capacity)

 

CONTACT: Jeanette Weatherspoon

 

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18 years & Older

Emergency Overnight Shelter

(KCHCS)

388-3680

440 1/2 N. Church St.

 

ELIGIBLE: Adults 18 yrs. and older

 

SERVICES: Provides an 12-bed emergency shelter for vulnerable, hard to place single persons. Located at the same site as Ministry with Community. Housing search and job search assistance provided.

Meal served from 1:30-2:30pm. at Ministry with Community.

Number of beds: 12

 

Emergency Overflow Program: If all shelters are full, motel voucher may be provided to single adults only who are eligible for this shelter.

 

CONTACT: Dorothy Brown

 

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Females 17-35 years

Next Door Shelter for Women

349-2119

1215 W. North Street

 

ELIGIBLE: Women 17-35 yrs. Does not accept pregnant women.

 

SERVICE: Provides room and board for six single women between 17 and 35 yrs. It is a structured individualized program including job search, budgeting and goal setting.

Number of beds: 6

 

CONTACT: Stephanie Hoffman

 

Eligibility for both

Open or Next Door Shelters

1. Single between 17 and 35 yrs. old.

2. Working or able to work a minimum of 35 hours per week.

3. Not receiving any Disability or SSI payments.

 

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Women 20 years & up

Bethany House Shelter for Women

388-3409

722 S. Rose St.

 

ELIGIBLE: Women 20yrs. & older

 

SERVICES: Provides room and board for motivated women in a peaceful, supportive, nonviolent environment. Requires goal setting toward self-sufficiency and movement toward those goals.

Number of beds: 4

 

CONTACT: Sister Rose Cadaret, SSJ

 

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Males 17-35 years

Open Door Shelter for Men

345-1431

414 Ranney Street

 

ELIGIBLE: 17-35 yrs. Males only.

 

SERVICE: Provides room and board for six single men between 17 and 35 yrs. It is a structured individualized program including job search, budgeting and goal setting.

Number of beds: 6

 

CONTACT: Michael Childress

 

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Youth 10-17 years

ARK, The (CFS)

(800) 873-TEEN

343-8765

990 W. Kilgore

 

ELIGIBLE: 10-17yrs. Adolescent homeless youth, runaways, and youth in crisis.

 

SERVICES: Provides 24-hr emergency shelter and crisis intervention. Voluntary shelter for up to 14 days; counseling for youth & family at shelter, and in convenient community locations.

Outreach services, including workshops and support groups.

Number of beds: 13

 

CONTACT: The ARK

 

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Domestic Violence Victims & Their Children

YWCA Domestic Assault Program

385-2869

353 East Michigan

 

ELIGIBLE: Domestic violence victims and their children

 

SERVICE: Provides 24 -hr. shelter. Also provides counseling, support groups, advocacy and information and referral. Maximum stay 5 weeks.

Number of beds: 40-45

 

CONTACT: Misty Moon-Larthridge

 

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Utility & Fuel Assistance

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Michigan Department of Human Services

(DHS formerly, FIA, DSS)

337-4900 (Main #)

322 E. Stockbridge Ave.

 

ELIGIBLE: Kalamazoo County Residents

 

SERVICES: State Emergency Relief (SER):

There is an application process to qualify for this financial assistance. One criterion is that the solution to the problem be sustainable.

Services available under this program can include assistance with funeral costs, shelter related issues, utilities (electric, heat, water), and home ownership services, i.e., mortgages, property taxes, and home repairs.

 

Emergency Services (ES): Help with unusual circumstances beyond SER requirements i.e., medically necessary phone installation, heat, utilities, maximum dollar amounts apply.

 

CONTACT:

Beverly Barrone 337-5004

Tim Charron 337-4981

 

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Utility Assistance Community Collaborative (Salvation Army & Community Action Bureau)

 

Salvation Army

344-6119

1700 S. Burdick

ELIGIBLE: Low income persons or families in financial crisis

SERVICES: Provides emergency assistance for utilities, food, clothing, personal needs, diapers and disaster relief.

 

For utilities assistance:

1. Client must be a resident of Kalamazoo County

2. Must be in an affordable situation.

3. Client contributes money to the solution to the extent possible.

4. Client received a shut off notice and has already been in contact with DHS.

 

Community Action Bureau

CONTACT: Maria Almaguer or

Captain Tom McComb

 

Emergency Financial Assistance

(KCHCS)

Call Salvation Army as the entry point to accessing community funds for utility assistance.

3299 Gull Rd, Wing 2 Floor 3

 

ELIGIBLE: Low-income families and individuals in financial crisis

 

SERVICES: Provides financial assistance with housing, heating, and energy emergencies.

 

For Utility Assistance--Client must:

1. Be a resident of Kalamazoo County.

2. Have decisions from DHS and Salvation Army

3. Be income-eligible under grant guide lines.

4. Provide proof of emergency, for example, a shutoff notice.

 

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Emergency Food

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Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

343-3663

913 E. Alcott

 

ELIGIBLE: Any Kalamazoo County resident in need of emergency food.

 

SERVICE: Provides 2-4 days of groceries based on client self-referral. Client should call between 9am-3pm to schedule pick-up from one of 23 pantry sites.

Referrals from human service agencies required for those needing additional food assistance within any 30 day period.

 

Caseworkers can call 343-3672
CONTACT: Art Cole--488-2617 ext 207

 

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WIC / KCHS

373-5002

3299 Gull Rd.

 

ELIGIBLE: Pregnant/lactating women and infants/preschoolers, based on income and screening for medical/nutritional risks. Proof of income required.

 

SERVICES: WIC coupons for milk, cheese, eggs, juice, peanut butter, dried beans, peas, infant cereal, and formula.

 

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Michigan Department of Human Services

337-4900 (Main #)

322 E. Stockbridge Ave.

 

ELIGIBLE: Low income

 

SERVICES: Provides food assistance.

 

CONTACT:

Beverly Barrone 337-5004

Kelly Richards 337-5154

 

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Tri-County Food Bank

343-1269

3330 Miller Road

 

ELIGIBLE: Anyone with a written referral

from their union's services representative or a human

services worker.

 

SERVICES: 40 lbs. bag of food 1x/month

 

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Ministry with Community

Drop-in Shelter

343-5880

440 N. Church St.

 

ELIGIBLE: All

 

SERVICE: Open 365 days/year 6:30a-5:30p; breakfast 8-9a; hot lunch 1:30-2:30p; also available are phones, showers, laundry, counseling, help with housing and employment and other services.

 

CONTACT: Phil Boothroyd, Chris Kenney

 

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Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

345-2974

448 N. Burdick

 

ELIGIBLE: All ages in need of a hot meal.

 

SERVICE: Provides meals Monday-Sunday

Breakfast: 7:00 am

Lunch: 12:30 pm; Sun. 1pm

Dinner: 6 pm: chapel/ meal; Sat/Sun 6pm

 

CONTACT: Ext. 247 Tyra Swanson

 

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Senior Services, Inc.

Meals On Wheels

382-0515

918 Jasper St.

 

ELIGIBLE: Homebound older adults 60+ yrs. who have difficulty with meal preparation.

 

SERVICES: Provides food delivery to those who are home bound. Cost sharing fee based on ability to pay and number of meals per day.

 

Main meal is mid-day. Light supper, if needed,

is available.

 

Offers congregate meal sites at various locations in Kalamazoo County.

 

CONTACT: Jessica Jones

 

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Salvation Army

344-6119

1700 S. Burdick

 

ELIGIBLE: Low income persons or families in financial crisis.

 

SERVICES: Provides emergency assistance for utilities, food, clothing, and disaster relief.

 

CONTACT:

Maria Almaguer or

Captain Tom McComb

 

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Other Emergency Needs & Community Centers

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Michigan Department of Human Services

(DHS-formerly FIA, DSS)

337-4900

322 E. Stockbridge Ave.

 

ELIGIBILITY: If presently receiving services through DHS, contact DHS worker. If person is receiving services for the first time, the person must go through intake. Response time for ES funds should be as soon as possible; at the end of the month the response time may be a bit slower. If a client is having special problems that need to be addressed, they may call the worker’s supervisor. Intentional violators of any DHS programs are temporarily ineligible for services.

 

SERVICES: Provides income supportive services, medical assistance, FIP, emergency needs for life threatening situations, children & adult protective services, foster care, adoption, food assistance, basic adult services, & services to delinquent youth (committed by Family Division of Circuit Court). Emergency Services (ES): Help with unusual circumstances beyond SER requirements i.e., medically necessary phone installation, heat/utilities, maximum dollar amounts apply. State Emergency Relief (SER): There is an application process to qualify for this financial assistance. One criterion is that the solution to the problem be sustainable. Services available under this program can include assistance with funeral costs, shelter related issues, utilities (electric, heat, water), and home governorship services, i.e., mortgages, property taxes, and home repairs.

 

CONTACT:

Beverly Barrone 337-5004

Patrick Anderson 337-5001

 

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Kalamazoo Deacons Conference

344-7333

1010 N. Westnedge

 

ELIGIBLE: Anyone

 

SERVICE: Problem solving and support for people seeking clothing, furniture and appliances. For financial assistance, guest must have paperwork a) from DHS and HRI for evictions, b) from DHS and Salvation Army for utilities assistance. Amount available is generally $75.

 

CONTACT: Kalamazoo Deacons Conference

 

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Family Health Center

Emergency Prescription Assistance Program

488-0813

117 W. Patterson

 

ELIGIBLE: Kalamazoo County residents without prescription coverage who do not have a primary care physician.

 

SERVICE: Emergency prescription assistance 1x per year, 8am to 8pm daily.

 

CONTACT:  Family Health Center

 

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Comstock Community Center

345-8556

6330 King Hwy

 

ELIGIBLE: Kalamazoo County residents. Emergency Financial Assistance restricted to Comstock Township residents and/or Comstock School District only.

 

SERVICES: Food (T-Th 1-3pm). Financial ($50/household 1x/year). Prescription help

for seniors. Health clinic and holiday assistance.

 

CONTACT: Mary Gustas & Sue Benson

 

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Douglass Community Association

343-6185

1000 W. Paterson

 

ELIGIBLE: Northside homeowners 60yrs or older or disabled individuals, living in City of Kalamazoo census tracts 1-5.

 

SERVICES: Minor home repair and exterior painting (June-Sept. only).

 

CONTACT: O’Neal Ollie

 

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Portage Community Center

323-1942

325 E. Centre

 

ELIGIBLE: Residents of the City of Portage or Portage school district.

 

SERVICES: Emergency assistance: food, clothing, financial, WIC coupons, Well Child Clinics, holiday food baskets and immunizations.

 

CONTACT:

Keith Howell

Diane Schrock

 

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South County Community Services

649-2901

101 S. Main St.,

Vicksburg, MI 49097

 

ELIGIBLE: Residents of southern Kalamazoo

County (including Vicksburg, Schoolcraft,

Climax, Fulton, Scotts and surrounding

townships).

 

SERVICES: Emergency food, clothing,

financial assistance, WIC, prescription help,

medical equipment, senior transportation,

Christmas baskets.

 

CONTACT:

Emily Greenman &

Jan Neblock-VanStratt

 

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Free Clinic of Kalamazoo

344-0044

2918 Portage Rd.

 

ELIGIBLE: Uninsured Kalamazoo County residents

 

SERVICES: Walk-in Clinics: M-F 9am-5pm, T.and Th. evenings 5-9pm, registration until 7pm. Acute medical care, dental screening, prescription assistance, vision referral, health education and community referrals.

 

CONTACT: Robyn Hagen

 

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Healthcare for the Homeless Clinic

Family Health Center

385-2217

431 N. Rose

 

ELIGIBLE: Persons, living in transitional shelter, outdoors or with relatives temporarily.

 

SERVICES: Primary health care, assistance for prescription drugs (only for Family Health Center patients), and health education.

 

HOURS: M-F 8:30am to 5pm Walk-ins welcomed.

 

CONTACT: Willis Cain

 

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