Newsroom

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is now enrolling for the Early Head Start (EHS) program. EHS provides supportive services for those who are pregnant and children from birth through 3 in Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties.

EHS gives children and families the best start by supporting healthy development and building school readiness for early learning and future success​. Services are currently provided in a safe, virtual environment. Virtual services include weekly Zoom meetings in place of in-person visits and virtual playgroups and parent meetings. Technology is provided as needed. Families will receive supply totes via contactless drop-offs, filled with items to support young learners and provide family fun. Families will also have access to video activities including story time, recipes, crafts, and much more.

“During this pandemic we have continued to provide Early Head Start services including families basic need support, early education and infant/toddler development, family support, and community resources. The health and well-being of the children, families and staff is always our highest priority, and during this pandemic we are committed to our families. Now more than ever we can provide a warm blanket of support for our new families and young children,” said Sue Harvey, Early Childhood Director at Mid Michigan CAA.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Early Head Start is enrolling now for those who are pregnant or have a child from birth through 3. Contact us at 1-877-386-4406 or complete an interest form online.

Learn more about all Mid Michigan CAA’s early childhood programs. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn for news and updates.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will be providing free income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

VITA is an IRS program managed by partners all over the country, including Community Action Agencies. IRS trained and certified volunteers work with community members to prepare their taxes safely, confidentially, and at no cost to the community members.

To allow for ongoing social distancing measures, VITA appointments will be low-contact with most aspects of the tax return process being conducted virtually, by phone, and/or by mail. Due to the Stay Home order in March of 2020 and the tax program closing early, Mid Michigan CAA will be able to process 2019 tax returns in addition to 2020 tax returns.

“Each year our volunteers work throughout the tax season to help as many households as possible claim their maximum refund including all credits without filing costs or hidden fees,” said Outreach Director Eva Rohlman. “Though this year is going to look a little different, the high-quality tax preparation service we can provide to our communities will remain the same.”

The VITA program will run from February 1st through April 15th, 2021, serving residents of Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties. Those interested in having their taxes prepared at no cost to them should contact call nearest office:

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

Those interested in volunteering should contact Sheri Nartker at 989-386-3805 ext. 1024 or snartker@mmcaa.org as soon as possible.

Learn more about our tax prep program.

[Farwell, MI—] Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is participating in the statewide Water Repair Assistance Program through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as part of Michigan Coronavirus Relief Funding.

The Water Repair Assistance Program will ensure low-income households have access to hot and cold water, a toilet, a tub or shower, a kitchen faucet, and a laundry tub. To meet these needs, the program will provide a variety of plumbing, hot water heater, well, and septic repairs. The program will only run until December 30, 2020. It is important for residents to apply soon to access this program.

“We are eager to begin work on this program,” said Justin Walls, Housing Director at Mid Michigan CAA, “as having access to clean, running water is critical to the health and well-being of every household, especially as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Residents in Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola Counties who do not have access to water in their homes or need plumbing repair should contact the Mid Michigan CAA office nearest them in Bay City at 989-894-9060, Big Rapids at 231-660-0271, Farwell at 989-386-3805, Gladwin at 989-426-2801, Midland at 989-832-7377, Muskegon at 231-557-7622, or Reed City at 231-791-7078.
​
Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Gladwin Long Term Disaster Recovery Group is hosting a drive-through volunteer sign-up event on September 11th, 2020 to observe the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

The Volunteer Committee will be at the Gladwin Fire Department at 701 E Cedar Ave, Gladwin, MI 48624 from 11AM-4PM on Friday, September 11th to sign up prospective volunteers from the safety of their vehicles to maintain social distancing. A multitude of volunteer opportunities are available rebuild homes affected by the May flooding.

“September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance gives us a chance to reflect on and honor the victims, first responders, and citizens involved in and affected by the national tragedy,” said Eva Rohlman, Outreach Services Director at Mid Michigan Community Action serving as the Long Term Recovery coordinating agency. “We do our best to pay tribute to them through our own acts of services and volunteering.”

Volunteers can also register anytime on the Gladwin County flood recovery volunteer website here: https://michiganredi.galaxydigital.com/. Needs across the community are being assessed daily, so volunteer opportunities are updated regularly.

“The process of recovery, especially in a disaster as widespread as this, is a long-term effort. It is the daily decision to come together and raise our hands to help our neighbors,” said Rohlman. “We have been extremely moved by the willingness of our community members to step up and help in all stages of recovery thus far, and we are hopeful that we will have the privilege to continue to work with such dedicated and selfless volunteers as we continue down this path.”
​
Residents who have been impacted by the flood and are seeking assistance can speak with Carla Long, the Disaster Case Manager, at 989-598-4315. 

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) has received $386,675 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for our Early Childhood Services. These funds will support Head Start services for children from 3 through 5 in Clare and Gladwin Counties and Early Head Start services for those who are pregnant and children from birth through 3 in Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Head Start and Early Head start programs plan to use the CARES Act funding to provide critical support to enrolled children and families. “During this pandemic we have continued to provide services including basic need support, education, and community resources to support health and mental health well-being. Staff receive emergency preparedness and infectious disease management training to ensure the safety of the children as well as themselves.  The health and well-being of the children, families and staff is our highest priority,” said Sue Harvey, Early Childhood Director at Mid Michigan CAA. The program continues to add virtual learning opportunities to engage with children and families.

Nationally, $750 million has been designated for Head Start and Early Head Start programs to support preventative, preparedness, and response activities related to the coronavirus through the CARES Act. "This $750 million for Head Start will help ensure that children and families who rely on the program continue receiving services like meals, health screenings, and pre-K education where possible,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. “As we move toward safely reopening, it only grows more important that we support vulnerable families and children whose lives have been disrupted by the virus and its economic effects."

"We know that investing in programs that use a whole family approach to learning and development can be pivotal to the success of children and families," said Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. "During this pandemic, it is important to support programs that enrich and enlighten children, families, and communities as they work towards their goals and make concentrated efforts to improve their future post the pandemic."

Mid Michigan CAA’s Head Start is currently recruiting 3 and 4-year-olds for fall enrollment. Contact us at 989-386-8075 to complete an application or apply online.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Early Head Start is enrolling now for those who are pregnant or have a child from birth through 3. Contact us at 1-877-386-4406 to complete an interest form or complete the form online.

Find additional information about Head Start programming specific to this public health crisis on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center website.

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

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is working closely with the Gladwin Community Foundation, Gladwin Emergency Response Team, and other local organizations to administer services to help residents that have faced the May flooding in Gladwin County.

Residents who have been impacted by the flood and are seeking assistance should first call 2-1-1. Flood damage needs to be reported and registered with 2-1-1 for potential assistance. Callers should specify whether the residence is a primary residence or seasonal home.

Mid Michigan CAA is receiving federal emergency disaster funds to help repair homes and related needs for income-eligible residents as well as directing funds raised through the Gladwin Community Foundation.

“We are moving quickly and working with our partner organizations in the community to help residents find the assistance they need as soon as possible,” said Executive Director Jill Sutton.

Mid Michigan CAA is a non-profit that has been serving central Michigan communities since 1966. The organization’s mission is to guide local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA), is expanding services to low-income individuals and families in Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties with programs aimed at giving households a hand up toward self-sufficiency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid Michigan CAA is a non-profit that has been serving central Michigan communities since 1966. The organization’s mission is to guide local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Services will initially include housing stability support, food assistance, and critical needs assistance.  Eligible households may receive help with past-due mortgage payments, late property taxes, food vouchers, water shut-offs, and other household emergencies.

The goal is to help alleviate a household crisis while also identifying a path toward self-sufficiency.

"We are eager to begin offering critical services during an unprecedented crisis. We are looking forward to working with our community partner organizations to help meet the needs of low-income households," said Executive Director Jill Sutton.

To speak with staff about assistance available, email us at contactus@mmcaa.org or call the office nearest you: Bay City: 989-894-9060, Big Rapids: 231-660-0271, Farwell: 989-386-3805, Gladwin: 989-426-2801, Midland: 989-832-7377, or Reed City: 231-791-7078. Due to ongoing social distancing measures appointments may be taken over the phone.

“For now, we will provide most services remotely. It’s a challenging time, but we feel strongly that making services available as soon as we can will help local residents toward recovery from the pandemic challenges,” Sutton added.

(Okemos, MI, June 3, 2020) The Community Action movement was formed in the crucible of the Civil Rights era of the 1960s to fight poverty at the local level. Our movement is part of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Lyndon B. Johnson, and countless community activists who envisioned an empowered, community-centered way to fight poverty and cultivate economic opportunity.

The struggles of our nation and our world today to cope with the legacies of systemic racism and the violence of economic and social inequality are increased by the COVID-19 crisis.

Members of our anti-poverty movement are on the frontlines of our communities in our war against poverty. We've witnessed first-hand the result of disinvestment in education, affordable housing, lack of access to healthcare, and the explosive growth of mass incarceration. We've witnessed how disinvestment in human beings harms the resilience of our communities, families, and individuals, and especially harms those who are vulnerable to systemic racism.

Despite our efforts and the efforts our partners in non-profits, government, and business, the gaps in our social safety net continue to widen. Life expediencies are decreased and upward social mobility is further and further out of reach for poor children, and especially black and brown children born in poverty.

Racism impoverishes us all. It breaks the bonds of the social contract, and crushes our potential to truly thrive and make our communities places of opportunity and peace.

There can be no peace without accountability and reconciliation. It is not enough to condemn racism, we must be actively anti-racist and ready to do the work as advocates and leaders. We stand with our partners: community leaders and activists, elected officials, and non-profit leaders and foundations who are ready to roll up their sleeves to enact reforms that will help our communities, families and individuals to heal from the trauma of racism and inequality.

About Michigan Community Action:
Michigan Community Action is the state association for the 28 designated Community Action Agencies in Michigan. We are part of a national network of over 1,000 local organizations that help people move from poverty to economic stability and self-sufficiency. Our mission is to strengthen and inspire Community Action Agencies to champion solutions to poverty and to promote economic opportunity and stability for all. Our network is united by the promise of Community Action, which changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Chong-Anna Canfora
Executive Director, Michigan Community Action

Michigan Community Action Board of Directors:
Jill Sutton, Board Chair | Michelle Williamson, Vice President | Kerri Duff, Treasurer | Toby Berry | Lisa Evans | Michelle LaJoie | Melinda Johnson | Doug McFadden | Mary Ann Neopolitan | Matt Purcell

Clare County has been awarded $14,586, and an additional $20,796 via the CARES Act; Gladwin County has been awarded $11,682, and an additional $16,655 via the CARES Act; Mecosta County has been awarded $17,345, and an additional $24,729 via the CARES Act; and Osceola County has been awarded $9,069, and an additional $12,930 via the CARES Act, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

A Local Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The Local Boards will determine how the funds awarded to each county are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact

Clare County: Cherri Swanstra, Clare County EFSP Board Chair, at cswanstra@mmcaa.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is May 28, 2020. The Local Board Meeting will be held on May 29, 2020 at 10:00am via Zoom.

Gladwin County: Cherri Swanstra, Gladwin County EFSP Board Chair, at cswanstra@mmcaa.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is May 28, 2020. The Local Board Meeting will be held on May 29, 2020 at 9:00am via Zoom.

Mecosta County: Diane Long, Mecosta County EFSP Board Co-Chair, at br@projectstarburst.org. The deadline for applications to be received is May 28, 2020. The Local Board Meeting will be held on May 29, 2020 at 1:00pm via Zoom.

Osceola County: Malinda Coss, Osceola County EFSP Board Co-Chair, Malinda.Coss@usc.salvationarmy.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is May 28, 2020. The Local Board Meeting will be held on May 29, 2020 at 2:00pm via Zoom.
​
Attendance for new applicants is required.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is expanding to serve low-income individuals and families in Muskegon and Oceana Counties with programs aimed at giving households a hand up toward self-sufficiency.

Mid Michigan CAA is a non-profit that has been serving central Michigan communities since 1966. The organization’s mission is to guide local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Services will initially include housing stability support, food assistance, and critical needs assistance.  Eligible households may receive help with past-due mortgage payments, late property taxes, food vouchers, water shut-offs, and other household emergencies.

The goal is to help alleviate a household crisis while also identifying a path toward self-sufficiency.

"We are eager to begin offering critical services to Muskegon and Oceana Counties during an unprecedented crisis. We are looking forward to building partnerships with other organizations to help meet the needs of low-income households," said Executive Director Jill Sutton.

While the timing of the expansion coincides with the coronavirus pandemic, the agency plans to serve the counties over the long term.

“We hope to be a part of the recovery and establish a long term presence in these communities” Sutton said.

To speak with staff about assistance available, call 231-660-0271 or email us at contactus@mmcaa.org. Due to ongoing social distancing measures and the Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order in-person services are not yet available.

“Once the shelter in place order is lifted, we will begin the process of securing office space and hiring local staff, but for now, we will provide services remotely from existing offices in nearby counties. It’s a challenging time, but we feel strongly that making services available as soon as we can will help local residents toward recovery from the pandemic challenges,” Sutton added.