Emergency housing and shelter programs at Mid-State Opportunity can help

Mid-State Opportunity, Inc. is a non-profit Community Action Agency that serves Desoto, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Tunica counties in Mississippi.

Mid-State Opportunity’s mission is, “To provide opportunities for education and employment and the opportunity for everyone to live in decency and dignity.” Established in 1965, Mid-State Opportunity provides many opportunities to aid low-income persons in finding work, receiving education and training, as well as providing emergency food and shelter programs to families in its counties.

Several programs have been implemented to help families in need. One of these programs is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. This program is designed to help low-income families to meet home energy needs. Another program, called The Power to Care, gives assistance with electric bills for energy customers who are elderly, disabled, or low-income.

A major program operated by Mid-State Opportunity is the Community Services Block Grant, or CSBG. The CSBG offers assistance in housing, emergency assistance, income management, transportation, child care, health, nutrition, employment, education, and self-sufficiency. CSBG is a federally-funded program that operates locally through Mid-State Opportunity. Families are eligible to receive aid from CSBG if they make 125% of the federal poverty line, which is about $27,563 for a family of four.

Families in need in Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties may seek assistance from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board programs. These programs provide utility assistance, food, and shelter for eligible citizens. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors, in conjunction with Mid-State Opportunity, provides energy assistance, home delivered meals, and homemaker services.

Mid-State Opportunity also provides several employment programs. Available to seniors is the Senior SELECT Program, which helps seniors to earn high school diplomas and helps to provide seniors with employability skills and work experience. Available to low-income citizens aged 16 to 24 is the Summer Youth Employment Program, which enables young persons to find employment during the summer. Finally, the Out-of-School SELECT Program provides work experience and employability skills training to low-income or economically disadvantaged, out-of-school youths aged 16 to 21 years old. This SELECT Program prepares students to take the GED and to transition to work. All SELECT Programs are funded through the Delta Workforce Investment Area.

For information on any of the programs in Desoto, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Tunica Counties, go to www.midstateopp.com, or call toll free at 800-523-6683.