Truenorth Community Services

TRUENORTH COMMUNITY SERVICES EMPOWER PEOPLE AND STRENGHTEN COMMUNITY TO INSPIRE HOPE AND BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE. OUR VISION: TRUENORTH COMMUNITY SERVICES ENVISION A WORLD WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE PERMANENT POSITIVE CHANGE. TRUENORTH BELIEVES EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A VOICE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD, A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, QUALITY EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT THAT SUPPORTS A LIVING WAGE, SERVICE TO BUILD RESILIENT YOUTH, ENGAGEGED CITIZENS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE CULTURAL ARTS. TRUENORTH'S FOUR CORE COMPETENCIES INCLUDE ENSURING YOUTH THRIVE, ADDRESSING RURAL POVERTY, BUILDING VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING INNOVATIVE NONPROFIT LEADERHIP.

THE TRUENORTH EMPOWER PROGRAM PROVIDES HEAT AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN 83 PRIMARILY RURAL COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED WITH A GRANT FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THROUGH MICHIGAN AGENCY FOR ENERGY AND A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED FROM CONSUMER'S ENERGY. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE SET BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EMPOWER ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DESIGNED TO EDUCATE FAMILIES ABOUT ENERGY OPTIMIZATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON STATE ASSISTANCE.

TRUENORTH'S HOUSING AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDES HOUSING, HOMELESS PREVENTION, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. A CONTINUUM OF CARE PLAN IS ESTABLISHED FOR EACH FAMILY WHICH FOCUSES ON ESTABLISHING ATTAINABLE GOALS AND PROVIDING CASE MANAGMENT TO ASSURE OUR FAMILIES ARE MOVING TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A STABLE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT. OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT AND WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPROVE LIVES FOR A LIFETIME.

21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNER CENTERS - OUR SCHOOL-BASED OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS PROVIDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER-TIME PROGRAMS FOR ALL CHILDREN WITHIN THE WALKERVILLE, HART ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, MUSKEGON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BALDWIN SCHOOLS, HOLTON SCHOOLS, AND THREE OAKS SCHOOLS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY 21ST CENTURY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM GRANT. OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS IN HESPERIA AND WHITE CLOUD SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BUT DO NOT INCLUDE A SUMMER-TIME PROGRAM. THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE ENTITLED FOCUS (FOR OUR CHILDREN'S ULTIMATE SUCCESS). ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON HOMEWORK HELP, ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT, HEALTHY EATING, LIFE-LONG LEARNING SKILLS, ACADEMIC REMEDIATION AND DROPOUT PREVENTION, DISGUISED LEARNING, AND ADVENTURED BASED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

TRUENORTH'S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, AND CAMP NEWAYGO DEPARTMENTS - PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL, EXPERIENTIAL, AND DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS. TRUEMENTORS PROVIDES COMMUNITY BASED AND SITE BASED MENTORING FOR AT RISK YOUTH. CAMP NEWAYGO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS TO EXPERIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT - PROVIDES VOLUNTEER SERVICES FOR NEWAYGO COUNTY RESIDENTS.