If you are in an abusive situation and need help, contact the
YWCA Domestic Violence Services: 616-459-4652
24-hour crisis line 616-454-9922
Hope for Single Moms knows minimum wage just doesn’t cut it. And that’s why we’re here to help. If you work a minimum-wage job in West Michigan, you would have to work 73 hours a week just to afford a two-bedroom apartment. We don’t think you should have to choose between paying for rent or daycare or food. We are here to help you change that.
You must do your part. Do you have a plan? If not, we can help you get one. Schedule your FREE career consultation. What’s that?
Do you have housing? You need stable housing before you can get into our program. Parenting and going to school and studying is hard enough. You don’t want to worry about where you’ll sleep next.
The life assistance resoources below will help you get a firm foundation, so you can get started on your career education.
We want you to be successful. That’s why we won’t take you on as a client until we know you’re ready. So it may seem the qualifications are insurmountable, but we are here to help you achieve those too. Click here to see the qualification requirements.
Life Assistance Resources
Basic Needs
There are many social services and nonprofit resources to help you get some of the necessities for life. Hope for Single Moms does not work in this area because many others do. This is a basic list of links to check out. Use Google for other resources near you. Many areas have food pantries specifically for residents in their area.
Financial Resources:
Kent County DHS 121 Franklin, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, 616-248-1000
Salvation Army 1800 SAL ARMY
United Way 2-1-1 Call 211 from your cell phone
Food & Personal Necessities:
YWCA Domestic Violence Services 616-459-4652,
24-hour crisis line 616-454-9922
Baxter Community Center Serving the Baxter neighborhood of Grand Rapids
Catholic Charities Baby and Toddler Pantry 616.454.4110
Essentials
Store for families in need of basic home essentials
$20/year membership for families. with any type of public assistance.
Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
Hispanic Center of West Michigan
Lean on Me Ministry
Call to register as a client (616) 866-3999
Personal care items, clothing, baby, furniture, appliances
Love Inc (In the Name of Christ) Also furniture. Rides to appointments. Serving Hudsonville, Jenison and Grandville
Kent County food access sites
Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources
Salvation Army Food Pantry 1.800.SAL.ARMY
Monday-Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
Steepletown NW Grand Rapids
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Pregnant or nursing, or your children are under the age of 5
Other
Amazon Prime for 50% off Amazon Prime
SPAOA (Single Parent Alliance of America) Membership needed. Information resources, programs and savings for single parents. Information about financial planning, advice, articles, information, and other services.
Childcare
Next to rent, childcare is a major expense. In fact, Michigan has one of the highest childcare costs in the country. Listed are links to childcare resources.
Just because you qualify for childcare assistance doesn’t mean it’s easy to get. Many centers that accept DHS assistance have a waiting list of 12-18 months. So, get on the list NOW, while you get everything ready to go back to school.
Some schools have daycare scholarships for single moms in their program. Oftentimes, you can find this information in student services. You may have to ask a financial aid advisor.
Hope for Single Moms encourages you to be creative when looking for childcare options.
Many schools have evening or online classes. If you work during the day, are you disciplined enough to take class at night or on the weekends? Know yourself. If you need to be in a classroom, then that’s the way for you.
Can you take turns doing childcare with another single mom? Do you have family who can help in the evening? Does your church have a daycare, or do you know someone who does in-home childcare?
Childcare options and assistance is one of the costs Hope for Single Moms helps clients with. Find more information on our program qualifications.
Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS)
Camp Fire West Michigan 4C, 233 East Fulton; phone: 1‑800‑448‑6995.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Kent County Head Start (Preschool)
This is a link to the step by step process to determine if your child is eligible to attend a FREE preschool program in Kent County–Great Start Readiness Program or Head Start.
After School Resource: Expect a Miracle
Healthcare/Dental/Vision
There never seems to be enough money, does there? You have to make cuts somewhere. But you need to keep yourself healthy. And you need to keep your child healthy. If you are pregnant, a few of these clinics provide free pregnancy care. You can also receive free ultrasounds and referral to ob-gyn doctors at a pregnancy care center.
Listed below are links to healthcare assistance. Please take advantage of these resources.
Medical & Dental Clinics
Cherry Health link is for Grand Rapids locations. Also offers vision and pediatric care.
Exalta Health Also offers vision and prescriptions.
Prescriptions
Vision
Insurance
Housing/Rent/Utilities
Hope for Single Moms does NOT help you find housing. We do need you to find a stable living situation before applying to be a client in our education program. Our focus is to help you go to college or trade school.
Listed are some helpful links to help you find housing or pay for rent and utilities.
Arbor Circle 616-451-3001 You must be 16-20 years old
Community Rebuilders 1120 Monroe Ave. NW Suite 220, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, 616 458-5102
Covenant Place You must be 18-24 years old
Dwelling Place 616-454-0928
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
Habitat for Humanity Kent County 616-588-5239
Housing Assessment Program (HAP):
M-Th 8:30-5, F 9:30-4
Call 2-1-1 or 1.800.887.1107
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Section 8 vouchers
Inter City Christian Federation (ICCF)
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Westown Jubilee Housing low-income housing on Grand Rapid’s west side
Weatherization Assistance Program repairs to help minimize energy costs
Rent & Utilities
Campaign for Home Energy Assistance:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:
Salvation Army
Energy Assistance Services (EAS)
1.800.SAL.ARMY
M-F 8:30-4:30
616.459.5468
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Legal Assistance
There are many reasons why you may need the services of a lawyer or legal advice. But lawyers are expensive. The links below are legal services. Some serve anyone. Others may restrict their advice to those at a certain poverty level. Even if you’re not sure, call them. They may be able to direct you to an agency or organization that can better help you.
Questions about:
- Housing, landlords, evictions and eviction notices
- Friend of the court, child support, custody issues
- RIghts of pregnant and parenting students
Community Legal Services (in GR, MI)
616.929.5716
Legal Aid of West Michigan
616-774-0672
89 Ionia Ave, NW – Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Legal Assistance Center
(616) 632-6000
Kent County Courthouse 5th Floor
180 Ottawa Avenue, NW – Suite 5100
Michigan Legal Help (legal help without a lawyer)
Upsolve Chapter 7 bankruptcy help
Parenting Resources
Children don’t come with an instruction manual. And just when you think you have it figured out, your next child is totally different. There are some things that people have found to be helpful. Check out these resources.
Alpha Women’s Center Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Kids parenting support groups
Parenting skills
a self-paced learning environment to enhance life skills and teaches financial security, positive parenting habits, career prep, and self-care.
Parenting and life skills classes online from The Life of a Single Mom’s Single Mom University
Very Well Family A lot of great information understanding child development, so you can better parent.
Tech Resources
CELL PHONE: Safelink.com 1-800-723-3546
Verizon Lifeline: Verizon Lifeline
COMPUTERS
Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council 225-379-3577
Computer Technology Assistance Corp
Computers with Causes 888-228-7320
INTERNET
Transportation
CARS
1-800 charity cars Ask for a free used car
Working cars for working families A program run by the National Consumer Law Center. Affordable rates to low-income families to finance or purchase a vehicle.
