Family Stability Services

FAMILY STABILITY PROGRAM

While our main focus is to provide tuition-free job training programs and employment services, we recognize that there are many factors that go into building a successful life – factors beyond employment, such as equitable access to food, transportation, healthcare and housing. Goodwill’s Family Stability program addresses these other factors and the basic needs of individuals and families through the coordination of crisis intervention services. We have partnerships with local organizations that can help in the following ways:

FOOD, HEALTHCARE & TRANSPORTATION
  • Food assistance
    • Help applying for food stamps
    • Access to Goodwill’s emergency food pantry
    • Referrals to Nourish Up, a network of food pantries and food-delivery programs
  • Healthcare assistance
    • Help applying for Medicaid
    • Access to a free eye exam (Vision Care)
  • Transportation assistance
RENT & UTILITIES

To be eligible to receive assistance with rent and utilities, you must live in Mecklenburg County and have been in residence for at least 60 days. Please bring the following documents with you to your appointment: 

  • Picture ID of the person applying for financial assistance.
  • Social Security cards for all household members.
  • Proof of household income over the past 30 days for all residents, including earned and unearned income. This includes all paystubs received by any household members during this period. If anyone in the household receives unemployment, SSI, SSA, VA benefits, a retirement pension, child support, disability payments, or income from any other source, you must provide verification of that income.   
  • Past due utility bills or disconnection notices in the name of an adult who resides at that address, if applying for utility assistance. 
  • Past due rent notices or court documents, if applying for rental assistance.  
  • Ledger from rental leasing office, if applying for rental assistance.  
  • Rental lease to verify your residence if you are seeking rent or utility assistance.   

Our Family Stability Specialists will meet with you to assess your need and determine your eligibility for assistance. During your assessment, you will be asked what amount you can contribute, in addition to what, if any, financial assistance has been approved toward your past due balance. Typically, customers will be asked to provide some portion of a rent balance even if assistance is provided. Please note that services are not guaranteed but will be determined during an eligibility screening.  

              RISE 2 WORK PROGRAM

              Rise 2 Work is a federal program that provides skills-based training that leads to meaningful employment for FNS recipients. The program is intended to increase FNS recipients’ skills, careers and ultimately their families’ financial well-being. By participating in the Rise 2 Work program, qualified participants will have access to:

              • E&T social workers who provide guidance, resources and referrals to employment and skill-building programs
              • Through other community agencies: skills trainings and certifications, job search support, high school completion, computer training, work experience and volunteer opportunities, job readiness services, resume building, career planning, assistance with transportation for participation in the job programs, and more
              • Through Goodwill: our free job training programs, employment services, job search support, family stability services and more

              HOW TO GET STARTED

              If you’re interested in this program and you live within our service area, fill out our application form then follow the prompts to schedule an in-person appointment. Please note that some services have eligibility requirements, such as residency and income thresholds, which one of our Family Stability Navigators can explain to you.