Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Scott, Madison, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas County.
Several programs are offered for struggling, low income, and unemployed families in the region. The Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Harrison, Scott and Nicholas Counties is a leading non-profit agency in the region that provides both short term, emergency assistance and longer term stability and self-sufficiency.
If the center can’t meet your needs, they may have referrals as the organization works closely with other organizations. Case managers also have information on federal government and state of Kentucky public benefits.
Energy bill assistance
The Community Action Council has information on, and maybe direct financial assistance, for various utility needs. Some of the programs that may be available for paying heating or energy bills are as follows.
Delta Gas Energy Assistance Program is an option for Bourbon County residents and other counties that use this energy provider. They may be able to receive a credit on their utility bills during the fall or winter months.
The Columbia Gas Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is available in the entire region. For those customers that meet qualifications, a credit or discount can be placed onto their account. Case managers can provide more information on this service which is available from November through March.
Water bill assistance is offered from the donation program known as Help to Others. This may offer help with paying water bills in emergency situations. The resources are generally offered as a last resort. The H2O program is paid for by Kentucky American Water Company (KAWC) and donations from the community. Find other ways to get emergency water bill help.
Federal government grants may be offered from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. This is an option is the entire region, including the counties of Fayette, Harrison, Nicholas, and Bourbon. Low income families and the elderly may receive a subsidy for paying utility or they can look into crisis assistance. The crisis program is really for residents that have received a disconnection notice on their energy bill or that have run out of fuel.
Kentucky Utilities Home Energy Assistance Program may issue customers a credit. Those that benefit will need to agree to a payment plan. If someone is unable to pay the remaining balance on their account they will be disconnected from utility service. So program terms need to be followed.
Summer cooling and air condoning assistance may be offered. The Community Action Council may be able to loan out air conditioners to households or families that have a member with a life threatening health risk or that are unemployed with a medical condition.
WarmWise is offered by the council in partnership with Columbia Gas of Kentucky. The program will pay for and install 90% or higher efficiency furnaces in the homes of qualifying low-income and working poor participants.
Weatherization Assistance Program is the main government energy conservation program. The Community Action Council runs it and it will offer energy-efficiency to participants’ homes through inspection, improvements and repairs. The program will pay for replacing heating systems, sealing windows and doors and insulating walls and floors.
The Funded by Kentucky Utilities Company WECARE Residential Low-Income Weatherization Program can also help lower a households’ electricity consumption and help them save money. The company will pay for the insulation of exterior walls, attic, water heaters and more. Or get funds for repairing air leaks around doors, windows, plumbing penetrations, and holes in structure of house. WECARE may also provide for replacing inefficient refrigerators and window air conditioners; and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators.
WinterCare Energy Fund is a crisis program for those residents that need their power connected, re-connected or for people that have a shut off notice. The WinterCare Energy Fund may offer heating bill assistance in a crisis to those that qualify.
Financial assistance from the Community Action Council
Basic needs can be met by the Nicholas County clothing bank. For those that are in need, free gently used clothing may be offered. This can include items for work or school as well. The unemployed may get professional work attire for an interview or first day at the new job.
The government funded Emergency Food and Shelter Program is offered in Nicholas and Harrison Counties. It can provide rent assistance, housing, and mortgage help to poor and low income families.
Emergency, or Miscellaneous Assistance Funds, can cover a variety of needs. These funds are donated by generous people and businesses in our communities and can cover expenses that do not fall into other categories.
Transportation resources are offered. The Community Action Council can provide free gasoline cards for travel in the Lexington area for work or a crisis medical appointment. Other car repairs and what not may be coordinated too.
Senior Transportation Services in Fayette County can provide transportation for Prescription delivery, Grocery and retail shopping, or Doctor and Medical appointments.
Case management and family services
The free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program can offer tax and federal government income help to low- to moderate-income people and seniors who need help preparing and filing their tax returns. The Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas County has trained and certified volunteers to help prepare basic tax returns for income qualified. All services are provided for free.
Financial fitness workshops and seminars can connect families and individuals with the tools and strategies they can use to build savings, increase their income and gain and sustain assets. Participants of the program will take part in individual or group trainings. Clients can also benefit from individually directed support to address specific steps that are needed to move toward long term financial stability.
Low income families often struggle to build emergency savings. The team at the Community Action Council in Lexington, Scott, and nearby counties can help. They give tips and go over techniques. Find how to build savings on a low income.
Community Action Council food assistance programs
Bread and boxes of groceries are offered from the non-profit. These are passed out in effort to supplement the nutritional needs of struggling families and individuals. The community action agency will distribute free bread twice a week at its Downtown, West End and East End Neighborhood Centers. They are also offered in Fayette. For people that live in Nicholas County, free food boxes are distributed once every two months at the Nicholas County Center. They also work with local food banks such as God’s Pantry and other pantries and churches.
Housing and rent assistance or shelters
Comprehensive Treatment Initiative is for currently homeless individuals with a disability and/or diagnosed mental disorder or substance abuse issue. The agency will offer supportive housing, intensive case management, holistic primary health care services, and wraparound services to homeless individuals.
Samaritan Program provides housing vouchers and aid to participants who are chronically homeless, unemployed and/disabled.
Continuum Of Care (CoC) in Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties can offer permanent housing and social support services to homeless individuals and families. Clients will also partner with a case manager to get help in developing a goal for basic needs.
Project Independence is shelter and short term transitional housing for homeless families in the region and those that were evicted. Staff from the Community Action Council work one on one with families to set and meet goals that can help them pay rent and prevent future evictions.
Shepherd Place is a low income housing unit. The location provides a subsidized apartment complex for low-income persons 55 and older. The rent that will need to be paid is based on income and certain expenses such as prescriptions.
Tenant Based Rental Assistance, or TBRA, is a public assistance type housing program. It provides assistance with paying rental costs for approved rental apartments. The program operates in Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison or Nicholas counties.
Locations of non-profit community action agency
Bourbon County
1414 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361, call (859) 987-5277
Bourbon County Child Development Center, 311 High Street, Paris, Kentucky 40361, 859-987-8579
Wesley's Place, 1414 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361, phone 859-987-5277
Millersburg Community Center, 1113 Main St., Millersburg, Kentucky 40348, dial 859-484-3304
Harrison County
217 Old Lair Road, Cynthiana, KY 41031, (859) 234-2121.
Lebus Child Development Center, 118 N. Walnut Street, Cynthiana, KY 41031, 859-235-8746
Terrace Park Child Development Center, 151 Federal Street, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031, 859-234-7205
Nicholas County
149 Scrubgrass Road, Carlisle, KY 40311, telephone main phone (859) 289-7172
639 Dorsey Avenue, Carlisle, KY 40311, 859-289-6633
Nicholas County Elementary School, 105 School Drive, Carlisle, KY 40311, telephone 859-289-3785
Madison County
Programs are run from Our Savior Episcopal Church. Call (859) 233-4600.
Richmond Migrant Head Start, 2323 Lexington Road, Richmond, Kentucky 40475
Scott County
For details on resources available, call the Community Action Council at (859) 233-4600.
Scroggin Park Child Development Center - A, 135 Scroggin Park, Georgetown, KY 40324, 502-868-9093
Fayette County
Russell School Center, 520 Toner Street, Lexington, KY 40508, call (859) 554-4350
Children’s Treehouse of Knowledge, 309 Ohio Street, Lexington, KY 40508, dial 859-225-9517
William Wells Brown Elementary School, 555 East Fifth Street, Lexington, KY 40508, telephone 859-381-3166
UK Early Childhood Lab, University of Kentucky, 12 Erikson Hall, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0050, 859-257-7732
Russell School Center, 520 Toner Street, Lexington, KY 40508, 859-309-6988
Salvation Army Learning Center, 736 West Main Street, Lexington KY 40508, 859-252-7706
Arlington Elementary School , 122 Arceme Ave, Lexington, Kentucky 40505, 859-381-3030
East End Center, 913 Georgetown Street | Lexington, KY 40511, telephone (859) 244-2215
Big Blue Bird Early Childhood Center, 1945 Eastland Parkway, Lexington, KY 40505, 859-299-9277
Fayette West Center, 1902 Cambridge Drive, Lexington, KY 40502, dial (859) 246-1192
BCTC Child Development Center, 164 Opportunity Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40511, 859-253-2316
Cherish the Child Care Center, 102 Dennis Drive, Lexington, KY 40503, 859-276-0027
Virginia Place Child Care Center, 1156 Horseman’s Lane, Lexington, KY 40504, 859-252-4828
S. Lexington Center, 1317 Centre Pkwy., Lexington, KY 40515, (859) 273-6395
KinderCare Learning Center - Custer Drive, 3199 Custer Drive, Lexington, KY 40517, 859-272-8673
KinderCare Learning Center - Appian Way, 3600 Appian Way, Lexington, KY 40517, dial 859-273-2212
KinderCare Learning Center – Wilhite Drive, 2611 Wilhite Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503, 859-276-2567
National Academy, 3500 Arbor Drive, Lexington, KY 40517, 859-273-3292
Southeast Lexington Child Development Center, 3712 Arbor Court, Lexington, KY 40517, 859-245-5195
West End Center, 919 Georgetown Street | Lexington, KY 40511, main number is (859) 244-2215
Booker T. Washington Elementary, 707 Howard St, Lexington, KY 40508, 859-381-3263
Winburn Center, 1169 Winburn Drive | Lexington, Kentucky 40511, (859) 294-5249
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