Community Action House’s Outreach Team has begun holding hours at Herrick District Library, lending members’ expertise to assist library guests with questions about local resources.
“This partnership with the library not only makes it easier for the community to understand and access the services available to them, it directly supports Herrick library staff who often fill in this connecting role. We’re grateful to support library patrons and our community by working onsite with guests to address challenges and access new resources,” says Community Action House Executive Director Scott Rumpsa.
Connecting to resources
The CAH Outreach Team will be available at the library, 300 S. River Ave., four hours per day, five days a week at the library for patrons in need of assistance. Hours will vary by day and include daytime, evening, and occasional weekend hours. Outreach staff can help guide and connect guests to many supportive resources, such as:
- Food Assistance
- MI Bridges
- Clothing Assistance
- Health Care Resources
- Medicaid
- Secretary of State Resources
- Social Security Administration
- Financial Education Resources
- Disability Resources
- Mental Health Resources
- Housing Resources
- Tax Preparation
The outreach team will hold hours at the library for the next year, with the opportunity to renew the agreement after that period.
Holistic case management
This new endeavor will provide holistic case management and resource navigation for individuals in need at the library. CAH staff previously used library meeting rooms available free to the public to meet with individuals in the community.
“As a library, our mission is to empower our community to connect, discover, and create. We connect people to resources like books, websites, videos, classes, and so much more. Community Action House is another one of those resources and connections for our patrons,” says Library Director Diane Kooiker.
Community Action House’s Outreach Team builds relationships and connects individuals experiencing homelessness to resources to achieve stable, permanent housing. Initial hours will be:
- Mondays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m.
- Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Fridays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Saturdays (once per month), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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