 Dowagiac residents, who are confronted by difficult times and are in need of medical, financial, family or parenting guidance, or other assistance in order to meet the needs of daily living, will find the following directory of service providers to be a helpful resource. Some services require a nominal fee or are based upon income eligibility. Every effort was made to include a thorough list of organizations that provide assistance. If you do not find the provider you need, contact the Cass County Human Services Coordinating Council for further information at (269) 445-5019. If you are a representative of an organization not included in the directory, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to provide us with information on the service provider you represent by CLICKING HERE.
Child & Family Care Big Brothers Big Sisters (269) 684-1100 or Toll-free 1 (877) 367-2244 Volunteers serve as friends, mentors and role models, helping children gain greater self-confidence. Most children are from single-parent homes. Building Strong Families (269) 445-8661 Whether you're pregnant, learning how an infant develops, or trying to discipline a toddler, this free MSU Extension program provides you with parenting and nutritional skills. Cass County CASA (269) 445-4431 Volunteers serve as court-appointed special advocates (CASA), lobbying for the best interests of abused and neglected children during child protective proceedings. Cass County Family Independence Agency (269) 445-0200 or Toll-free 1 (800) 382-4277 to Report Abuse Families in need or people who are disabled receive financial, medical, food and emergency assistance. Help is provided with utilities, home repair, homeless prevention, child care for working families and burial costs. FIA responds to reports of abuse involving children or vulnerable adults. Social workers supervise children's foster care homes, arrange adoptions, help adults remain in their homes and recruit volunteers to transport people to medical appointments and coordinate activities for foster children. Child Care Resources Toll-free 1 (800) 343-3470 This free referral network provides parents with a current list of state-licensed child care providers. Early On of Cass County (269) 445-6245 or Toll-free 1 (800) EARLY ON The program serves children under the age of three, who have a developmental delay or a medical condition that affects normal development. The Lewis Cass ISD program is a liaison to school, child care, medical and other providers that assist children remain on target developmentally. Family Nutrition Program (269) 445-8661 Home visits during a free 6 to 8-week program, provide nutritional guidance. The MSU Extension program also offers school instruction, teaching youngsters good eating habits. Family Violence Helpline Toll-free 1 (800) 996-6228 Gateway provides a crisis phone line for domestic violence, abuse, neglect and the exploitation of vulnerable adults. It also provides a sexual assault toll-free helpline at 1 (877) 666-3267. Money Management (269) 445-8661 If your family needs a spending plan to meet their income, this free in-home MSU Extension program helps you address your money management concerns. Parent Helpline Toll-free 1 (800) 942-4357 Gateway provides a crisis phone line for overwhelmed parents. Anyone concerned about the welfare of a child may also use the helpline. Runaway Assistance Program Toll-free 1(800) 292-4517 Gateway provides the "RAP" helpline for teens, who have run away or are thinking of leaving. Crisis intervention is provided. WIC (269) 782-3374 Women who are pregnant or are breast-feeding benefit from this nutritional counseling and supplemental food program. Services also provided to families with children up to five years old. Zero to Five (269) 445-6222 Child development educators help parents understand what to expect as their child grows, and offer ways to encourage learning and to manage behavior. This Lewis Cass ISD program also provides screenings and group meetings.
Emergency Services American Red Cross (269) 445-5090 or Toll-free 1 (800) 382-6382 The Red Cross helps residents prevent, recover and respond to natural and man-made emergencies. Temporary shelter, food and clothing are provided. Shelter locations vary depending upon the emergency. Helping Hands of Cass County Inc. (269) 445-8104 Emergency services are provided, including food and clothing. Store hours for the thrift shop, located on Broadway in Cassopolis, are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Vincent DePaul Society of Holy Maternity Church (269) 782-3205 A food bank, household merchandise and clothing is available for people in need. Store hours at the facility, located at 308 W. Railroad, Dowagiac, are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Salvation Army (269) 782-2631 Emergency assistance is provided to those in need from temporary housing to food, clothing, household items, and help with utilities, rent and mortgage payments. www.salvationarmy.org Southwestern Michigan Community Action Agency (269) 445-3831 or Toll-free 1 (877) 474-6251 Temporary shelter or the first month's rent for homeless families is provided, and an emergency food program and pantry. Utilities, rent and home weatherization assistance is also offered.
Medical Related Cass County/Van Buren Health Department (269) 445-5280 or (269) 782-0064 Free children's immunizations are offered, and clinics for vision and hearing screening, dental services, and sexually transmitted and communicable disease testing and treatment. www.tricountyhs.org County-wide Respite (269) 445-6222 When funds are not available from other service providers, this Lewis Cass ISD program offers respite services to overburdened families. As a "payer of last resort," it reduces stress on caregivers in order to prevent child abuse and neglect. Disability Resource Center of Southwestern Michigan Toll-free 1 (800) 394-7450 Individuals with disabilities, who wish to live independently, receive training in personal and health care, finances, household, social skills, job readiness and computer training. A support group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassopolis. www.drccil.org Hospice of Cass, Van Buren Counties (269) 423-6015 or Toll-free 1 (800) 304-0273 Staff and volunteers provide support to individuals and caregivers during chronic or terminal illness, returning dignity and comfort to their lives. Hospice offers individualized medical, emotional, spiritual and personal care. Illness Support Services
Mental Health & Substance Prevention Alcoholics Anonymous (269) 782-1362 Meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m., and on Thursdays at noon, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Dowagiac. Al-Non (269) 683-1320 Meetings are held Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles for co-dependents or friends of people who suffer from substance abuse. The Niles group also serves Dowagiac. Lifeworks Center (269) 782-7520 tkitchen@locallink.net Provides individual evaluations, counseling and drug screening for individuals and agencies. Narcotics Anonymous (269) 435-2353 Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, participants meet every Thursday from 8 to 9 p.m. at the First Church of God in Cassopolis. Pokagon Substance Abuse Toll-free (269) 782-4141 or Toll-free 1 (888) 440-1234 Substance abuse assessment and counseling is provided for members of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians, as well as outpatient services and relapse prevention. Woodlands Behavioral Health Care Network (269) 445-2451 or 24-hour Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0335 Counseling for individuals and families, and mental health and addiction services are provided by this non-profit agency. www.woodlandsbhn.org
Senior Citizen Services Adult Day Care and Respite Services (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Adults experiencing a decrease in physical, mental and social functioning are served through these two Cass County COA programs. Day care services are provided at COA in Cassopolis. In-home respite services are also offered by staff trained in Alzheimer's and related dementias. A caregiver support group is available. www.casscoa.org Area Agency on Aging Toll-free 1 (800) 442-2803 Seniors receive assistance with utilities, rent and mortgage payments, and can receive a current list of state-licensed adult foster care homes. Monthly support groups are provided for grandparents raising children. Home Care Services (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Basic in-home services, provided by this Cass County COA program, help seniors maintain independence. Individuals receive help with cleaning, laundry, errands, meals and personal care. www.casscoa.org Leisure and Life Enrichment (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Whether you're interested in educational classes, the fine arts, social activities or sightseeing, these two Cass County COA programs provide seniors with a variety of daily choices. www.casscoa.org Meals on Wheels (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Hot, nutritious noontime meals are delivered to seniors by this Cass County COA program. If needed, a frozen meal can also be delivered and reheated for dinner. www.casscoa.org Nutrition Services (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Nutritious, affordable meals for seniors are served weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. at Cass County COA in Cassopolis. Off-site locations at Chestnut Towers and the Elks Lodge in Dowagiac require reservations. www.casscoa.org Transportation Services (269) 445-8110 or Toll-free 1 (800) 323-0390 Seniors in need of transportation to a doctor's appointment are served through Cass County COA's transportation program. Arrangements can also be made with Public Transit to provide transportation to the bank or for shopping. www.casscoa.org
Shelter & Housing Related Cass County Community Housing Initiative (269) 697-5490 Low-interest or deferred loans are available to income-eligible recipients to bring houses up to Section 8 standards. Cass County Habitat for Humanity (269) 782-5656 or lou@beanstalk.net Through volunteers, this nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization builds affordable housing in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. www.habitat.org Cass County Housing Continuum of Care Available at the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce is the Housing Continuum of Care guide to emergency shelter resources, food pantries, housing assistance, nursing care, supported living and assistance with utilities, rent and mortgage. To receive many of the services, residents must first contact the Family Independence Agency at (269) 445-0200. Domestic Assault Shelter Coalition Toll-free 1 (800) 828-2023 The coalition provides emergency shelter to women and their children, who are victims of domestic or sexual assault. The program provides outreach workers, support groups and court advocates. Individuals receive educational services on finances, housing and employment. Dowagiac, City of (269) 782-2195 Home ownership opportunities are provided for low and moderate-income families and incentives for exterior home improvement. www.cityofdowagiac.com Homeless Veterans Housing Initiative (269) 684-8840 Transitional living is available for honorably discharged Veterans, who are homeless or are precariously housed. Individuals can stay up to two years at the Niles facility, where they receive food, shelter and counseling. Michigan Department of Treasury Toll-free 1 (800) 367-6263 Tax credits are provided to assist income-eligible homeowners and renters who are spending a large portion of their monthly income on heating costs. Pokagon Housing Authority (269) 782-8998 or Toll-free 1 (800) 517-0777 The Authority provides emergency shelter for members of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians. Food commodities and assistance with utilities, rent or mortgage payments are offered. A repair and rehab program helps bring houses up to code. Tri-County Mediation Center Toll-free 1 (800) 873-7658 Landlord and tenant mediation is provided for a nominal fee. US Department of Agriculture (269) 471-9111 Credit counseling is provided to assist people purchase their home with no down payment. Repair loans and/or grants allow for home fix-up.
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