Please see below for resources in your area. If you don’t find what you need here, you can always call a crisis and referral specialist by dialing 211 from any phone. Please know that many agencies help with other resources, so check each category for potential help.

Child Care & Youth Programs

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida: Mentor programs for children, matching adults with at-risk kids.

• Boys and Girls Club: Youth Programs

• Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C): Help finding and paying for childcare, VPK, and headstart.

 

Crisis, General, & Other Assistance

• Angel Flight: Free personal flights for medical needs, caregivers, domestic abuse, special camps, adoption, people who cannot afford commercial flights.

• Computers for Education, Inc.: Free computers to students, individuals, nonprofits, senior citizens in need.

• Department of Children and Families: Report suspected abuse; potentially receive rental assistance for homes in need with children.

• Dignity U Wear: Brand new clothing to children, veterans, victims of abuse, and more.

• PCs for People: Computers for individuals and families that fall below 150% of the poverty line. Check website for listings.

• Zebra Alliance: Foster hope, dignity, and self-respect in LGPTQ youth including shelter, counseling, food, and medical assistance.

 

Employment & Job Training

• AppleOne: Employment agency.

• Experience Works: Employment help for older workers. (407)540-1358

• Florida Jobs: One-stop Career Center

• Goodwill Industries: Self Sufficiency Center: Interviewing techniques, locate jobs, develop resume, job leads, financial literacy.

• South Florida Works: Job posting, training, employment help, disability, unemployment, displaced homemakers. 1-866-294-HIRE

 

 

 

Education

• Adult and Community Education: Several different courses for $30 including GED, ESOL, foreign languages, finance, dance, art, computer skills, new technology, etc. (239)377-1234

• Boot Camp for New Dads: Community-based workshop that inspires and equips men to support their mates and personally transform into dads.

• Catholic Charities of Collier County: Financial Counseling, positive parenting, substance abuse, elder outreach, ESOL, low/no income residents, food and utility assistance,

• Florida Literacy Coalition: Literacy, math, tutoring, GED, etc.

 

Food Assistance

• Catholic Charities of Collier County: Financial Counseling, positive parenting, substance abuse, elder outreach, ESOL, low/no income residents, food and utility assistance,

• One Harvest Food Ministries: Low-cost food packages in affordable family meal solution that provides high quality food choices. (877)818-1778

• Summer Food Service Program: Free summer food for children under the age of 18. Check website for locations.

• Women Infants Children (WIC): Healthy foods, nutrition, education and counseling, breastfeeding support, referrals for health care.

 

Financial Assistance & Counseling

• Advance Earned Income Tax Credit: Get next year’s refund in this week’s paycheck Must meet certain income requirements and have at least one child living with you. 1 (800)829-1040

• AGPM Family Emergency Assistance Program: Rental and/or utility assistance is available or eligible residents in AGPM communities. Please check eligibility requirements at link.

• Catholic Charities of Collier County: Financial Counseling, positive parenting, substance abuse, elder outreach, ESOL, low/no income residents, food and utility assistance,

• Center State Bank: Along with regular banking services, they offer Fresh Start Checking for individuals who have had banking problems in the past and need a second chance at having a checking account.

• CredAbility: Credit Counseling, education, budgeting, credit, debt management, etc.

• Link-Up Florida and Lifeline Assistance Programs: Helps to make telephone service affordable to low-income customers in Florida. 1 (800)540-7039

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Assistance with utility bills. (321)633-1951

• TaxHelp.org: Connect with local free tax help resources in your area.

• The Assistance Fund: Financial assistance programs for children and adults diagnosed with critical or chronic illnesses.

Health

• Aging Solutions: Assists with guardianship, wills, burial, and other needs.

• Caregiver Services, INC: Comprehensive In-Home care by quality health care professionals. 1 (800)282-6409

• Catholic Charities of Collier County: Financial Counseling, positive parenting, substance abuse, elder outreach, ESOL, low/no income residents, food and utility assistance,

• Family Wize Prescription Drug Discount Card: Prescription Drug Cards for the uninsured, save on average 35% or $20 from each prescription.

• Florida’s Vision Quest: Vision screenings and glasses for children in a mobile vision clinic.

 

 

Step one for all renters:

You are welcome to access 100% free rental counseling by Springboard. In these online and phone sessions, you will learn:

• How to calculate rent affordability

• understand the terms of your lease agreement

• How to deal with financial crisis and fulfill your lease obligations

• How to develop a realistic household budget

• Understand credit and credit scores

• Reducing or eliminating debt

• Spotting financial danger signs

• and preparing for homeownership

Take advantage of this free education by logging onto RentalCounseling.org. Please feel free to log-in under your community – all information is confidential.

 

Collier