Cedar Rapids area Society of St Vincent De Paul assistance programs.
While there is no way that SVDP in Cedar Rapids Iowa can meet all of the requests in the community, the non-profit, volunteer driven charity will do its best. They will try to provide assistance directly to income qualified families for their basic needs or bills such as rent, groceries, utilities and more. If that can't be done, then the next option is to connect families and individuals across Cedar Rapids as well as counties of Linn, Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, and Washington to other local organizations.
When applying for help with needs such as housing, food, shelter, or grants for bills, staff members (mostly volunteers at the churches) engage the applicant. They do this to better understand the exact needs of the person. Based on that assessment, they will then help them access the resources that would be most effective to their crisis. The funding mostly comes from donations as well as the sale of goods at the thrift store.
Assistance for housing needs from SVDP in Cedar Rapids region
Homeless assistance, including eviction prevention, are administered in Cedar Rapids metro region. Any advice and support is offered in an individualized, confidential, and respectful manner. The goal of this service is to help either the tenant or the homeless person to identify their challenges and to overcome them.
More information on what may be offered by Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is below. Not that only programs are combined with case management. This is done to help people reduce the risk of becoming homeless again. Staff will partner with the client as they work towards goals, and learn more about rapid rehousing and homeless prevention in Iowa..
A local homeless shelter will try to help those residents with no other place to turn to. Most of the accommodations are available in partnership with social services as well as other groups, such as charities, churches and faith based congregations in counties including Linn, Johnson and others. The capacity is limited.
While not everyone will be able to use the local shelter, it is open multiple days per week and year round. There are beds for veterans, children, and those that are short to mid term homeless. Not only will guests have a place to stay, but SVDP of Cedar Rapids will also give them a meal and hygiene items.
Transitional Housing is for formerly homeless families. This is even more limited then the shelters listed above. The participants of this program needs to be working towards long term self-sufficiency and stability.
As part of this program, the guest (who will become a tenant as they need to pay rent) will work with staff on overcoming challenges. The barriers addressed range from getting someone out of a domestic violence situation. There is help with job training or support in tacking addictions or mental health issues. Other Cedar Rapids St Vincent De Paul workshops will handle credit and debt problems.
Transitional housing will last for an extended period of time. The client may be placed into an apartment in the city or counties such as Linn or Washington. The staff member from Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will continue to work with each family to improve their overall situation.
Food and other financial aid
Homeless prevention from Cedar Rapids St Vincent De Paul can be offered in the form of rent or energy bill assistance. This is limited, often has a waiting list, and meets other conditions. The agency will work with clients to help them pay household expenses during difficult financial times.
When someone request support, information is given to them in the most effective way possible. The agency will try to connect people to services in their native language. There are many social services throughout the Iowa community, including disability resources and transportation programs. Both non-profit aid, short term loans, and government options such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or SSI disability are just a few examples. Even find free transportation programs for doctor appointments.
A client choice food pantry is available as will from Society of Saint Vincent churches in Cedar Rapids. The center provides food assistance to neighbors across Jones, Linn, Benton and other counties, and anyone that is in need. The location was set up to be a neighbor-choice format that lets clients pick the fresh or canned food their families will eat. It helps the client maintain dignity and also cut down on waste.
SVDP of Linn County soup kitchen and its volunteers can provide Home Cooked Meals. This service is for men, senior citizens, women and children. Everyone is welcome, no questions asked. Many of the people seeking a meal are living in low-income apartments/motels, homeless, or unemployed. The aim is to feed them and help people feel safe and important.
There are also free furniture vouchers as well as low cost thrift store open to the public. Low income families, or applicants such as single moms or veterans, can be given items like free beds, kitchen appliances, plates, kitchen supplies, blankets and more. This all depends on donations. Other families (not in a crisis) can shop for gently used goods at the thrift store.
Get information on basic medical and dental care. Volunteer nurses and doctors partner with local clinics in Cedar Rapids. They offer health services to the very low income and uninsured. Each location that Society of Saint Vincent can refer people to is different in what they provide but medical or free dental services are vital to the region.
Applying for SVDP resources in Linn and Cedar Rapids region
No matter what someone needs, or applies to, the agency will also always offer client support. Clients can learn about housing stabilization, workforce training, public aid, employment, and much more. Call (319) 365-5091 at 928 7th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
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