Emergency Stabilization Programs

The Emergency Stabilization Programs are designed to help families and individuals through a crisis. The programs are normally a one-time service that gives clients the boost to bounce back on their feet. The following are programs operated under Emergency Stabilization:

Resource Distribution Projects:

The purpose of the Resource Distribution Project is to stabilize a family's current emergency situation by using donated goods and services. Emergency services may include medical care, utility and shelter assistance, transportation, food, clothing, furniture, and other items and services to meet the crisis in the family.

Food Pantries:

GHCAA operates a food pantry in Putnam County. The pantry is kept stocked by the Central Missouri Food Bank in Columbia.

Emergency Food & Shelter Program

Emergency Food & Shelter Program is a program operated by GHCAA. This program's funds are used to pay utilities, food, and emergency lodging (such as a motel room), rent or mortgage payments. Customers who qualify for this program are encouraged to speak with staff about additional self-sufficiency programs.

Emergency Shelter Grant Program:

Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESGP) is a program operated by GHCAA. This program's funds are used to pay utilities, deposits, and rent or mortgage payments. Customers who qualify for this program are encouraged to speak with staff about additional self-sufficiency programs.

Homeless Challenge Program:

The Homeless Challenge Program is offered to families who are homeless or near homeless due to substandard housing, eviction, threat of eviction, disconnection of utilities or threat of disconnection of utilities. The Homeless Challenge Program is used to stabilize a family's living situation with food, shelter, utilities, deposits, and rent or mortgage payment.

Family Development Programs

Family Development Programs are used to educate, train, and empower families out of poverty. The programs can be in a group or one on one setting. The classes may be instructed by Agency employees or outside instructors.

Enhanced Skills:

Enhanced Skills classes are offered on a variety of topics to educate clients toward self-sufficiency. Topics offered in the past have included personal responsibility, problem solving, decision making, emergency backup plans, interpersonal communication, listening skills, attitude and manners, conflict resolution, self-esteem, budgeting, family health and nutrition, hygiene, safety, parenting and legal rights and responsibilities.

Pre-Employment Training Services:

Pre-Employment and Training Services, also known as the PETS program, is designed to assist a client in the job seeking and keeping process. It is also designed to help clients identify strengths and weaknesses in interests and aptitudes concerning education and employment.

Family Support:

The family support program is a one-on-one client-centered program designed to empower low-income families to reach their goals of obtaining an education or gainful employment. Families meet with GHCAA staff members in a comfortable environment away from the office. Families and staff work together to help the family overcome barriers to their goals and reach true self-sufficiency.

Missouri Property Tax Credit:

Assist with the Mo Property Tax Credit filing for the elderly and the disabled.

Energy Conservation:

The focus of the Energy Conservation Program is to educate families about the importance of weatherizing and conserving energy for lower utility bills.

Back to School Fair:

information coming soon

Community Programs

Community Coordination Resource Development Programs focus on working with community partners to establish relationships and partnerships to solve problems concerning low-income families. There are three types of CCRD's:

• Institutional Partnerships, which is targeted toward a single institution.
  
  
• Collaboration Networks, which work jointly with other partners to facilitate change in a community.
  
  
• Revitalization Coalitions that raise awareness to the extent of poverty conditions and the consequences of not dealing with the problems.

Poverty Simulations

These simulations last several hours and each participant is given a “role” to play during that time, sometimes that of a single mother raising three children, or a middle-aged man who has recently become unemployed and has a family to care for, or a senior citizen living on a very fixed income. While these situations are all very different, they all are charged with the stressful task of providing for basic necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.”  Through the course of the simulation, individuals interact with human service agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers and others.

The goal of the Poverty Simulation is to move people to think about the harsh reality of poverty and how communities address the ongoing problem. It can be quite an eye-opening experience for those who have never experienced poverty first-hand, and can also help to break down stereotypes and prejudices about those living in poverty.

Step Up to Leadership

Step Up to Leadership is a program designed for community-minded people wanting to make a difference. Step Up to Leadership curriculum is hands-on learning, teaching participants how to be better leaders and involve themselves more fully in the operations of their community.

The program is free of charge, and lasts 12 sessions. Step Up to Leadership classes are being offered in Linn, Caldwell, and Putnam counties through 2010.

Step Up to Leadership Grant Application