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Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is excited to announce the relocation of our Mecosta, Midland, and Oceana County Community Action Centers to new locations, allowing us to better serve our neighbors by bringing services together in more accessible spaces.

For over 50 years, Mid Michigan CAA has worked to connect individuals and families with essential resources and opportunities, helping them achieve stability and self-sufficiency. By moving these offices, we continue our mission of making support services more accessible and responsive to the needs of our communities.

Excitement for the Future
Community Empowerment Director Cherri Swanstra shared, “We’re thrilled to bring our services together in these new locations. This allows us to better serve our neighbors by making our programs more accessible and connected. We look forward to continuing our mission and strengthening the communities we serve.”

Early Head Start and WIC Director Amyee Carson added, “These moves allow us to enhance the services we provide for families. We’re excited to welcome our neighbors to these new spaces and continue supporting them with all of our amazing programs.”

Outreach and Opportunities Director Eva Rohlman, who oversees homeless and veteran programs, emphasized, “By consolidating our services in these locations, we can better coordinate and deliver resources to those who need them most. This move strengthens our ability to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families.”

Each of our Community Action Centers has a Resource Navigator on-site to help residents navigate the services available, answer questions about eligibility, and guide individuals through the application process.

New Locations

• Mecosta County–Now located at 706 Maple Street, Big Rapids, this site houses our Mecosta County Community Action Center and Early Childhood Center. Services available include Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, Water and Sewer Assistance, Homeless Assistance, and Early Head Start to promote school readiness.
• Midland County–Our Midland County Community Action Center and WIC Clinic have moved to 1717 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 103, Midland. This new location brings together essential services such as Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes  for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, Water and Sewer Assistance, Veteran Homeless Assistance, Early Head Start, and WIC services to support growing families.
• Oceana County–The Oceana County Community Action Center has relocated to 195 N Michigan Avenue, Shelby, continuing to provide critical programs such as Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, and Water and Sewer Assistance.

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Office Hours & Contact Information
All Community Action Centers are open:

• Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
• Friday: 8 AM–4 PM
• Closed daily from 12–1 PM for lunch and on major holidays.

For more information, call or text any of our Community Action Centers:

• Bay County: 989-894-9060
• Clare County: 989-386-3805
• Gladwin County: 989-426-2801
• Mecosta County: 231-660-0271
• Midland County: 989-832-7310
• Muskegon County: 231-557-7622
• Oceana County: 231-923-3066
• Osceola County: 231-791-7078

Email: [email protected]
Visit: mmcaa.org

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Mid Michigan Community Action is committed to guiding local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education, and community enrichment. We look forward to serving our neighbors from our new locations and continuing to make a positive impact in the communities we call home.

Mid Michigan Community Action (Mid Michigan CAA) is now accepting appointments for free income tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
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VITA is a nationwide IRS program, supported by Community Action Agencies and other partner organizations, where IRS-trained and certified volunteers provide tax preparation services at no cost to eligible individuals and families. The program offers both virtual and in-person appointments to ensure flexibility for customers.

“We’re excited to help households prepare their taxes and claim any available credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Home Heating Credit,” said Cherri Swanstra, Community Empowerment Director at Mid Michigan CAA. “Last year, we helped bring over $790,000 in refunds back to our communities, and we look forward to doing the same this year.”

The VITA program serves Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties. Customers will need to bring relevant documents, such as wage statements (W2 or 1099), health insurance forms (1095s), heating costs, and other required items for tax filing. For a full list of documents, visit: https://www.mmcaa.org/taxpreparationassistance.html.

Tax preparation appointments are now open, and residents can secure their spot by emailing [email protected] or calling or texting the office nearest to them:

• Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
• Gladwin: 989-426-2801
• Farwell: 989-386-3805
• Reed City: 231-791-7078

​“We’re committed to ensuring that tax preparation is accessible, easy, and free for our local families,” added Swanstra. “Whether you choose a virtual or in-person appointment, we’re here to help you file safely and confidently.”

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

​On January 29, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will conduct the local annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This survey, required by the federal government, counts how many people are homeless on a single night. This includes those sleeping outside, in places not meant for living, in shelters, or using emergency motel vouchers.

“The PIT Count is essential for understanding homelessness in our communities,” said Jennifer Rodgers, Homeless Program Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. “The data helps us get more resources, improve our services, and work towards ending homelessness.”

The data from the PIT Count is used by the Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care and HUD to distribute funding and resources to homeless service agencies, including Mid Michigan CAA. Locally, the agency works with organizations like 2-1-1, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission in Bay City, Our Brother’s Keeper shelter in Big Rapids, New Dawn Shelter in Gladwin, Listening Ear, Youth Attention Center, RISE, Shelterhouse, and WISE.

How You Can Help: If you know of camps or people who are homeless, call or text 877-213-5955 to share their location so they can be counted.
People in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are homeless can also call or text 877-213-5955 or email [email protected] for help. Services are also available for veterans in Lake, Newaygo, Midland, and Saginaw Counties.

For more information about the PIT Count, contact Jennifer Rodgers at [email protected].
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Mid Michigan Community Action helps local residents become self-sufficient through empowerment, education, and community support.

​Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Oceana Community Foundation to support housing counseling services in Oceana County. Funding for this project is provided by the Community Investment Fund, Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund, and William R. Lathers Foundation Fund.

This grant will help Mid Michigan CAA provide essential housing counseling services, including assistance for those seeking housing stability, first time homebuyers, and counseling on property tax and foreclosure resources. These services are designed to ensure individuals and families in Oceana County have access to resources and support to secure and maintain safe, stable housing.

“We are so grateful to the Oceana Community Foundation for their continued commitment to strengthening our community. This grant will help us reach those who need housing counseling services most, supporting families and individuals on their path to stability,” said Cherri Swanstra, Community Empowerment Director at Mid Michigan CAA.
Those in need of housing counseling services can contact Mid Michigan CAA's Oceana office by calling or texting 231-923-3066 or emailing [email protected].

The Oceana Community Foundation partners with organizations like Mid Michigan CAA to ensure donor contributions make a meaningful impact. The Foundation’s funds, including the Community Investment Fund, Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund, and William R. Lathers Foundation Fund, support programs that improve the quality of life for Oceana County residents.

About Mid Michigan Community Action:
Mid Michigan Community Action has been serving communities since 1966, empowering individuals and families toward self-sufficiency. Programs and services include housing assistance, food distribution, energy resources, and more.

About the Oceana Community Foundation:
The Oceana Community Foundation is dedicated to building a better future for Oceana County by connecting people, resources, and opportunities. Through donor partnerships and grantmaking, the Foundation supports projects that enhance the well-being of the community.

For more information about Mid Michigan Community Action, call or text 231-923-3066 or email [email protected].

This project was funded in part by the Community Investment Fund, Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund, and William R. Lathers Foundation Fund of the Oceana Community Foundation.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.