Transylvania County Programs
EMPLOYMENT PLUS
Job Placement for low-income individuals is the primary function of
this
program. Supportive services are provide to assist in identifying needs
and
overcoming barriers to employment and maximizing earning potential.
Examples
of services that may be utilized are child care, work required
clothing,
gasoline for transportation, budget counseling, emergency fuel and
food,
rent and utility payments, and referrals to other resources such as
Food
Stamps, Housing Assistance, Social Security etc. This program is funded
by
the Community Services Block Grant administered by the N.C. Office of
Economic
Opportunity.
FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY
(FSS)
The Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator assists families who are
approved by Section 8 to access an escrow savings account. These
funds are used
as a gateway to achieve major goals such as homeownership, training or
post-secondary
education, starting a business, or funding a retirement account.
U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development/Section 8 provides most of
the
funding for this program.
CONGREGATE MEALSITES
WCCA operates two meal sites in Transylvania County.
Silvermont and Quebec Community Center provide meals and supportive
services five days
a week. Transylvania County vans provide transportation to both meal
sites.
These meal sites offer a well-balanced mid-day meal, recreation and
educational
programs for persons 60 years or older. These services are made
possible
by funding from the Home and Community Care Block Grant.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM
Liquid nutritional supplement products are available on a sliding scale
fee
for low-income persons suffering malnutrition due to health problems.
Funding
is provided by Transylvania County United Way, Home and Community Care
Block
Grant, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sisters of Mercy, and local
donations.
ENERGY CONSERVATION AND EMERGENCY RELIEF
Operation Fan/Heat Relief is available for persons over 60 years of age
for
heat relief in hot summer months. This program is made possible through
funding
from Duke Energy and Carolina Power and Light Company.
Plastic for Windows is provided for clients to assist with air
infiltration and energy conservation. The plastic is provided by Agfa
Corporation in Brevard.
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA)
AARP volunteers are trained to give income tax assistance and
advice
in completing Federal and State Income Tax Forms for low-income and
elderly
citizens. This service is offered from February through April 15th
every
year.
GARDENS PROGRAM
Low-income families and individuals are provided seeds, plants and
fertilizer
for a garden thus enabling them to stretch their food dollars. Canning
and
freezing food produced through this program becomes a year round
source.
Funding is provided by the Transylvania County United Way.
FLEX
This “flexible” program assists clients to purchase items or services
not
available through other programs. Examples of assistance are, but not
limited
to, gasoline for transportation to work, auto repair, out of season
heating
fuel, work required clothing, medicine, orthopedic apparel and auto
tags.
If eligible, these funds may also be used for deposits, rents, mortgage
payments,
utilities, and the garden program. This funding is made possible
through
the Transylvania County United Way.
SENIOR COMPANION
Through the Senior Companion Program, people age 60 and older provide
assistance and friendship to frail individuals who are homebound and
generally living alone. By taking care of simple chores, Senior
Companions often provide the essential services that enable frail older
Americans to continue to live in their own homes. They also
provide respite care to relieve live-in caretakers for short periods of
time. Senior Companions not only assist the frail elderly with
chores and errands, they also help make the lives of the people they
serve less lonely. Many Senior Companions serve individuals for
several years and form the most meaningful friendships of their lives.
WCCA is currently the only Volunteer Station in Transylvania County.
The Community Services Director provides supervision to four Senior
Companions who work 20 hours per week serving 9 clients. Their salaries
and mileage is paid from a grant through Land of Sky Regional Council.
There is no cost to the client.
