The Bucks County Opportunity Council has been awarded a grant of $40,000 from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust. The grant will be used to provide emergency services for low-income families in Bucks County.
Eligible, low-income families in Bucks County who are experiencing a housing or utility crisis can visit BCOC’s offices in either Bristol, Doylestown or Quakertown to receive emergency services support.
“This grant from the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust will be a tremendous help to our work,” explained Erin Lukoss, CEO/executive director of BCOC. “We anticipate being able to serve more families in crisis over the next year because of their generous support.”
The goal of Emergency Services is to stabilize the emergency, maximize self-sufficiency, and limit or eliminate any future need for assistance.
Financial assistance might include: one-time rental assistance to prevent eviction, move-in assistance to secure permanent, affordable housing or utility payments. Those who receive financial assistance are required to contribute a co-payment whenever possible.
In addition to financial assistance, clients will receive assessment and case management services as well as a follow-up assessment to affirm stability and to make additional referrals to community resources if needed. ••
