
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
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida: Mentor programs for children, matching adults with at-risk kids.
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Boys and Girls Club: Youth Programs
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Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C): Help finding and paying for childcare, VPK, and headstart.
Crisis, General, & Other Assistance
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American Red Cross – Mid Florida Region: Emergency relief, assistance, and education services.
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Angel Flight: Free personal flights for medical needs, caregivers, domestic abuse, special camps, adoption, people who cannot afford commercial flights.
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Beta Center: Cooperative living program for teen parents, parenting, life skills, homelessness, education. Also available emergency food, diapers, formula, pregnancy tests, and counseling.
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Catholic Charities of Central Florida: Assistance for rent, housing, food, parenting, employability, life skills, and more.
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Community Legal Services: Low cost legal services
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Computers for Education, Inc.: Free computers to students, individuals, nonprofits, senior citizens in need.
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Department of Children and Families: Report suspected abuse; potentially receive rental assistance for homes in need with children.
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Dignity U Wear: Brand new clothing to children, veterans, victims of abuse, and more.
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PCs for People: Computers for individuals and families that fall below 150% of the poverty line. Check website for listings.
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Zebra Alliance: Foster hope, dignity, and self-respect in LGPTQ youth including shelter, counseling, food, and medical assistance.
Employment & Job Training
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AppleOne: Employment agency.
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Experience Works: Employment help for older workers. (407)540-1358
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Florida Jobs: One-stop Career Center
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Goodwill Industries: Self Sufficiency Center: Interviewing techniques, locate jobs, develop resume, job leads, financial literacy.
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Polk Works: Job fairs, postings
Education
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Boot Camp for New Dads: Community-based workshop that inspires and equips men to support their mates and personally transform into dads.
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Florida Literacy Coalition: Literacy, math, tutoring, GED, etc.
Food Assistance
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Catholic Charities of Central Florida: Assistance for rent, housing, food, parenting, employability, life skills, and more.
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One Harvest Food Ministries: Low-cost food packages in affordable family meal solution that provides high quality food choices. (877)818-1778
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Summer Food Service Program: Free summer food for children under the age of 18. Check website for locations.
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Talbot House Ministries: Assists residents with utilities and food.
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Women Infants Children (WIC): Healthy foods, nutrition, education and counseling, breastfeeding support, referrals for health care.
Financial Assistance & Counseling
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88 Ways Foundation: Assists residents in paying rent in Polk County. (863)682-4209.
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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
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AGPM Family Emergency Assistance Program: Rental and/or utility assistance is available or eligible residents in AGPM communities. Please check eligibility requirements at link.
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Catholic Charities of Central Florida: Assistance for rent, housing, food, parenting, employability, life skills, and more.
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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.
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CredAbility: Credit Counseling, education, budgeting, credit, debt management, etc.
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Jewish Family Services: Food pantry, financial aid, holiday meals, rides, regardless of religious affiliation.
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Link-Up Florida and Lifeline Assistance Programs: Helps to make telephone service affordable to low-income customers in Florida. 1 (800)540-7039
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Assistance with utility bills. (321)633-1951
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Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development: Assists residents with rent.Salvation Army: Financial assistance, rent, utilities, food. Call Monday Mornings (863)682-8179
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Talbot House Ministries: Assists residents with utilities and food.
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TaxHelp.org: Connect with local free tax help resources in your area.
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The Assistance Fund: Financial assistance programs for children and adults diagnosed with critical or chronic illnesses.
Health
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Aging Solutions: Assists with guardianship, wills, burial, and other needs.
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Caregiver Services, INC: Comprehensive In-Home care by quality health care professionals. 1 (800)282-6409
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Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention: Outreach services for minorities in central Florida. Wellness, health, quality of life, tutoring, HIV/STDs, women’s heath, others.
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Family Wize Prescription Drug Discount Card: Prescription Drug Cards for the uninsured, save on average 35% or $20 from each prescription.
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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:
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How to calculate rent affordability
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understand the terms of your lease agreement
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How to deal with financial crisis and fulfill your lease obligations
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How to develop a realistic household budget
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Understand credit and credit scores
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Reducing or eliminating debt
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Spotting financial danger signs
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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.