Ministry With Community meets a variety of everyday needs for our members.
One-on-One Assistance (daily/life skills staff)
Services include short-term crisis counseling, referrals, ongoing personal counseling, crisis intervention, life-skills coaching and program assistance.
Birth Certificate and Identification Assistance (Thursdays – as funds allow/administered by social worker)
This is one-time financial assistance to obtain a birth certificate and Michigan identification.
Emergency Transportation (daily – as funds allow/administered by life skills coordinator)
Emergency transportation is provided on a case-by-case basis.
Employment Assistance (daily/life skills staff)
Help is provided with employment listings, job searches, résumés and job applications. Weekday van transportation is also provided to temporary jobs through employment agencies.
Housing Assistance (daily/life skills staff – no financial assistance is provided)
We provide housing and apartment listings and help with applications.
Community Referrals (daily/life skills staff)
Appropriate community referrals are made for food, clothing, substance-abuse treatment, medical issues and other basic needs.
Computer Lab (daily/life skills staff)
Computers are available for education and résumé preparation.
Coordination of Services (daily/life skills staff)
Referrals are made for alcohol and substance abuse screening. Services are also coordinated for long- and short-term substance-abuse treatment.
Community Involvement
Outreach Representatives (weekly/community collaborators)
There are opportunities to meet with representatives of organizations including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Kalamazoo Community Mental Health Services, Western Michigan Legal Services, Jim Gilmore Jr. Community Healing Center, Michigan State University Extension Services, Health Care for the Homeless, and with Western Michigan University social work interns.
Social Security/Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Legal Clinic (monthly/local attorneys)
We offer opportunities to discuss Social Security issues and SSI appeals with local attorneys.