Jackson County

Nearly 25,000 Jackson county households struggle to make ends meet (click on the ALICE Report on our home page). Many of the families that are facing financial difficulties can be helped by simply learning how to better manage their money. United Way of Jackson County supports a program that does just that. The Community Action…

The mission of The Jackson School of the Arts (JSA) is to make the arts accessible to all children regardless of their financial means.  United Way funds are used as JSA scholarships for families whose income is below the poverty line.  At risk youth have access to high quality art, dance and theatre instruction in…

Because you give to United Way of Jackson County, low income families are able to stay in their homes.  United Way of Jackson County funds Legal Services of South Central Michigan’s (LSSCM) Jackson County Mediation/Eviction Diversion Program.  This program specifically helps families that are facing imminent loss of shelter.  The program also advocates for accessibility…

If students are not reading at grade level by 3rd grade they will fall behind in their learning.  It’s at that critical age when children transition from learning to read and start reading to learn.  Jackson has a multi-generational issue of poverty, and education is the pathway out of poverty.  The goal of Energizing Education…

Even with the onset of the Affordable Care Act there are still many in Jackson County who don’t have proper access to services that address mental health and substance abuse issues.  The Outpatient Counseling program offered by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale provides those services on a sliding scale to Jackson residents who…

Central Michigan 2-1-1 is the only comprehensive referral program in Jackson County.  2-1-1 is the free, easy to remember and confidential telephone number that links people with human services they need.  Trained professionals are available day and night.  Those calling 2-1-1 are able to get the information they need, are pointed in the right direction…

The Juvenile Diversion and Truancy program from Family Service & Children’s Aid provides first time at risk youth the opportunity to improve their overall choices and behavior.  The program helps to prevent further prosecution, tries to improve family relationships and promotes regular school attendance.   Courts refer teens to the program and upon completion their records…

The goal of the Girl Scout Outreach programs in Jackson County is to provide access to youth development opportunities to girls who may not be able to participate in Girl Scouting as part of a volunteer-led troop.  Barriers to participation often include lack of transportation and financial support, as well as a lack of available…

The AWARE’s Sexual Assault Program is the only program in Jackson County that provides forensics immediately after an attack and free counseling for rape survivors and other victims of sexual assault.  This is the only program locally that deals exclusively with sexual assault in public education, community presentations and public awareness. AWARE provides a Sexual…

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is an IRS sponsored program that provides free income tax preparation assistance to households in need.  Volunteers are recruited and trained by the Community Action Agency, they take IRS sponsored tests and become certified tax preparers.  Those who qualify are able to get their taxes filed for free and…