Grand Rapids Community Assistance
From GRPLpedia
The agencies and services named in this Wiki is a selection from many others available. The details of state and federal assistance programs are described in The Helping Handbook, available at many public libraries.
Contents |
Online Directories
2-1-1 - This online directory of community services in Kent County and beyond is also available as a 24 hour telephone hotline. Land line phones call 2-1-1. Cell phones and networked phones call 616-459-2255. Toll-free call 1-800-887-1107. Spanish spoken.
Family Resource Guide - An online directory with an emphasis on services for children and families in the Kent County area. Also available in a Spanish version. You can find print copies of this directory at R 362.9774 F21 at the Grand Rapids Public Library and in many area libraries.
Grand Rapids Housing Commission A listing of Grand Rapids emergency service contacts, followed by links to a few of the many other organizations that the Housing Commission coordinates with.
Homeless Referral for Grand Rapids - A directory compiled by insiders John and Becky Wirt-Verzi of assistance services in downtown Grand Rapids. By Ambassadors of the Light Local Resource Agency.
Michigan Assistance and Referral Center - Provides information about Michigan assistance programs: medical, food, day care, emergency, cash. Questionnaire determines your eligibility. Also in Spanish.
Clothes
In the Image
1823 S. Division
(616) 456-6150
Free clothing available. Make appointment by phone first,
by calling on Monday--Friday, (9:00am - 3:00pm).
St. Andrews Outreach
267 Sheldon S.E. 49503
(616) 456-1454
Free clothing and hygiene supplies.
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30am - 11:30am
You can get socks, underwear, soap, shampoo, and a razor once a month.
Drop-In Centers
144 S. Division 49503
(616) 454-1661
Low cost meals.
Monday - Friday (7:00am - 3:00pm) and (6:00pm - 9:30pm)
Saturday (7:00am - 11:30am) and (6:00pm - 9:30pm)
Sunday (7:00am - 11:30am) and (6:00pm - 9:30)
Life Enrichment Center open:
Monday -Friday(8:00am - 12:00pm) and (1:00pm - 3:30pm). Saturday (9:30-11:30).
Includes laundry ($1 a wash, $1 to dry), showers, $2 haircuts, socks & underwear.
Mailing address, voicemail service, & lockers (cost - $2 per week).
Personal records: volunteers work with patrons to obtain state IDs, school records, birth certificates.
54 S. Division 49503
(616) 235-7211
Monday-Friday
9:00am -12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm
Sunday (fellowship and worship)
9:30am fellowship 11:30am worship
Computers, open lab : M - F 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Art classes, GED prep, resume building, job search, counseling, legal assistance.
Food
Westminster Presbyterian Church
47 Jefferson S.E. 49503
(616) 456-1456
Hard Times Cafe: friends and service together, meets every Wednesday with dinner and meeting from 5:30-7:15pm
Food Pantry Tuesdays and Thursday (call first for times & access) 456-6115
144 S Division
(616) 454-1661
Serves low-cost meals. Sunday dinner is free.
The coffeehouse is open: Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm and 6:00pm - 9:30pm Saturday 7:00am-11:30am and 6:00-9:30 and Sunday 7:00am-11:30am and 6:00pm-9:30pm
Meals are served during these times:
Serving: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 10:30am, and 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Saturday 7:00am - 11:30am, and 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Sunday 7:30pm - 9:00pm.
Food Pantry (call to arrange access).
303 S. Division 49503
(616) 454-4110
Open 7 days a week, 2:30pm - 4pm, for free lunch.
Free lunch NOT available 1st Friday of every month.
255 S. Division 49503 (616) 451-0236
Free lunch. Daily Chapel is at noon, with lunch after. Chapel at 6pm, with dinner after.
Hot Dogs in the Park
Veteran's Park
Every Tuesday from noon - 12:30pm.
In rain, snow, or shine.
Pancake Breakfast
2 Michigan 49503
(616) 454-3655
Last Saturday of every month, 8am - 9:30am.
Shelter
255 S. Division
(616) 451-0236
Emergency shelter for men only; must be in by 8:30 p.m. Also, long-term dorm housing for guys.
There is a residential dormitory for those wanting help in recovery.
225 Commerce S.W.
(616) 454-8249
Emergency shelter for both men and women. Opens at 5:15 for dinner, 7pm for bed.
Must attend devotional. Also long-term housing with treatment program.
Salvation Army's Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)
1215 E. Fulton
(616) 454-5840
Coordinates homeless programs.
25 Sheldon Blvd. S.E.
Main Office (616) 459-4681, or 24/7 Crisis Hot-line (616) 451-2744, Counseling Center (616) 459-4652
Emergency and long-term support to domestic violence survivors and their dependent children.
Jobs
Have a look at GRPLpedia's Job Searching Resources
First United Methodist Church:
227 E. Fulton 49503
(616) 451-2879 ext.125
Sign up on Tuesdays only at 7:30am. Bring photo ID. Work 2 hours on Tuesday or Wednesday for $15.
(Work sign-ups are across street from church at 207 1st Place Building)
Goodwill Industries Workforce Development Services
750 First Street N.W. 49504
(616) 451-8800
Job training and day labor.
Michigan Works! (State of Michigan)
1560 Leonard N.E. 49505
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm & Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm
(616) 336-4460 888-779-7774
Employment and training services. Unemployment compensation.
121 Franklin S.E. 49507
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm
(616) 336-4040
Employment and training services. Unemployment compensation.
Women's Resource Center (WRC)
678 Front Ave. NW Suite 180, 49504
(616) 458-5443
Assessment, testing, counseling, training programs, and resume assistance for women.
Legal
Located on the 5th Floor of the Kent Count Courthouse:
180 Ottawa NW, Suite 5100, GR, MI 49503
(616) 632-6000
Walk-ins Tuesday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.
Patrons may phone our office Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm. At (616) 632-6000.
Free legal aid, information, and referrals. Assistance on do-it-yourself legal issues.
89 Ionia NW, Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 774-0672
Toll free: 1-800-442-2777
Civil law.
No criminal cases, no divorce.
Free services for low income (at or slightly over poverty guidelines) and seniors.
Medical
550 Cherry St. S.E. 49503
(616) 235-7272 (medical) & (616) 235-7289 (dental)
Medical and dental for those with limited ability to pay.
Ferguson Dental Center
101 Sheldon S.E. 49503
Suite 1
(616) 776-2340
Patient visits start at $15 for low income.
700 Fuller N.E.
(616) 632-7100
Hours: Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm.
FREE child immunization, TB testing, pregnancy testing and nutritional counseling.
Sexually transmitted disease testing (ages 13 and up)
St. Mary's Mercy Medical Center (multiple locations and services)
200 Jefferson S.E.
Switchboard (616) 685-5000
Emergency Room: (616) 685-6789
Heartside Clinic: 359 S. Division 49503 (616) 685-3800
McAuley Health Center: 245 Cherry S.E. (616) 685-8200
Clinica Santa Maria: 730 Grandville S.W. (616) 685-8400
Browning Claytor Health Center: 1246 Madison S.E. (616) 685-8300
Mental Health
790 Fuller Ave. N.E.
(616) 336-3909 or 1-800-749-7720
24 hour Help Line: provides a listening ear (616)-336-3535
24/7 Crisis and/or suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-TALK, 1-800-273-8255
Kent County's public mental health system. We contract with more than 25 local human service agencies that specialize in providing care to children and families, teens, adults, and seniors who are experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems, or living with a developmental disability.
54 S. Division
(616) 235-7211
Counseling available - open to all but with a Heartside Neighborhood focus.
P.O. Box 3682
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
(616) 456-8512
email: servantscenter@sbcglobal.net
Helping the mentally ill homeless get off and stay off the streets.
Substance Abuse
790 Fuller NE 49503
(616) 336-3909 1-800-749-7720
24 hour Help Line: provides a listening ear 336-3535 National Crisis Line: 1-800273-8255
Kent County's public mental health system. We contract with more than 25 local human service agencies that specialize in providing care to children and families, teens, adults, and seniors who are experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems
Salvation Army - Turning Point
72 Sheldon Boulevard SE
(616) 742-0351
Medical detox. Call ahead - need ID.
Transportation
144 S Division
(616) 454-1661
Fish For My People
207 E. Fulton St.
(616) 774-2045
Call one day in advance, 9am - 3pm. Does not run all days.
For doctor's and other necessary appointments for the handicapped and elderly.
1050 Fuller N.E. 49503
Transportation Services: (616) 456-8661
Contact: Tony Slaughter (616) 456-8661 Extension : 3706 tslaughter@ggr.redcross.org
Kathy Kooistra (616) 456-8661 Extension :: 3704 kkooistra@ggr.redcross.org
American Red Cross drivers take senior citizens, low-income and disabled individuals to medical, mental health and social service appointments.
Call Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 3pm.
Some emergency funds for transportation may be available.
Resources for Ex-Offenders
Legal Aid of Western Michigan's Finding Your Way in Kent County
322 Front Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
Website: www.exodusbuilding.org
phone (616) 242-9130
Exodus operates a 38,000 square foot transitional housing campus. It houses and feeds 160 residents, who may be coming from a background in homelessness, crime, or drugs.
