Concrete Support in Times of Need

Meeting basic economic needs like food, shelter, clothing and health care is essential for families to thrive. Likewise, when families encounter a crisis such as domestic violence, mental illness or substance abuse, adequate services and supports need to be in place to provide stability, treatment and help for family members to get through the crisis.

Resources

Budgeting Classes

Consumer Credit Counseling Services 810-358-8562
Financial Peace University 989-872-4637
Human Development Commission 989-673-4121

Child Care

Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
Great Start to Quality Resource Center 877-614-7328
Car Seat Installation 1-810-648-4098 ext. 155

Food & Utilities & Furniture

Caro Church of the Nazarene 989-673-6175
Community of Christ (used furniture) 989-673-5504
Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
Revive Ministries (food only) 989-551-7803
MI Bridges www.michigan.gov/mibridges
Vassar Ministerial Alliance (utilities & rent) 989-823-2911

Homeless Services

Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
Homeless Coalition 989-672-7674
Human Development Commission 989-673-4121
Veteran’s Services (Saginaw) 800-406-5143

Housing Programs

Blue Water Center for Independent Living 1-810-648-2555
Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
Homeless Students Assistance 989-673-2144 ext 30426
Human Development Commission 989-673-4121
Habitat for Humanity 989-325-1807
Section 8 Rental Assistance Program 517-487-6550
U.S Agriculture & Rural Development 989-673-8171

Information & Referrals

Blue Water Center for Independent Living 1-810-648-2555
Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
Non-Emergency Needs 211 Holy Cross Children’s Service 877-424-6825
Emergency Number 911 National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-8255

Transportation

Thumbody Express 989-673-8488
Senior Medical Transportation 989-673-4121

Shelters

Innerlink Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter 989-753-3431
Thumb Area Assault Crisis Center 800-292-3666

Veterans Support

Blue Water Center 810-648-2555
Anka Akron Transitional Housing Program 989-455-1933
Veteran’s Affairs 989-673-8148
Veteran’s Medical (Saginaw) 800-406-5143
Veteran’s Crisis Line 800-273-8255 press 1

Here's what the community is saying

“I am overwhelmed by the impact I'm already seeing in my children’s lives…If you ever need an advocate for the Conscious Discipline Classes, please let me know and I would be happy to be there to help spread this word.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“I just love everything Great Start has to offer and i know I can contact you if I need help or info on anything.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My daughter loves these kits. It makes her feel special, and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun, too, even though they are My daughter loved the kit this month! We spend a couple hours building houses, bridges ect., and she loved it! All the kits we have gotten keep her attention longer then activities we have tried at home so we love them!”

“My daughter loves these educational kits. It makes her feel special and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun too even though they are 12 and 9 they still enjoy doing them and try to help their sister out.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ Thank you for getting a grant that allowed our kids to take home free math kits! The math kits are of superior quality and the kids love them! We have really enjoyed using them. The note from our Sheriff built a connection to our community and real live math!”

- Caring Parent

" Thanks to a connection made through Great Start, Senator Green was able to help a parent get needed education in their local school district for a young child.” ”

- Representative for Senator Green

“Since joining Great Start, I feel my voice has only become stronger in advocating for my child! You have led me to many resources and great opportunities to share with my child!"

- Katrina(parent member)

"Loved the note from Sheriff Skrent - connection to our community and real life math!"

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“We loved the math kit and explored with it as soon as we opened it. Thank you!"

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

Here's what the community is saying

“Knowing and learning the developmental stages of each age with the resources and guides provided for the adults has helped me understand play and my child’s milestones.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“The Conscious Discipline Parenting Class has given me specific ideas in categories to allow me to hit on each area of play and development to best assist my children in gaining skills and learning about the world around them.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“I think the biggest thing I’m going to take away from this knowledge is to get myself to that executive state before addressing whatever issue was going on with my child, so that I can handle it with a calm, clear mind.”

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

“I hope to use this knowledge every day! When the class first started I realized that we were already using some of these skills but learned more in depth about them and how to put them to work even more.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

Great Start Tuscola

About us

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Quick links

Ages and Stages
Resource Guide
Milestones App
Kids Count
Family Coalition
MDHHS

Imagination Library
Michigan’s Children
ACES Survey
Tuscola County Preschool
United Way Airs 211
Contact

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education

Contact

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Great Start Tuscola

1401 Cleaver Rd
Caro, MI 48723

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(989) 673-2144 ext 30325

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greatstarttuscola@gmail.com

Contact

Events