Your Life - Special Packages - Guide To Gulf Coast Living

Saturday, Jun. 20, 2009

Senior and social services

SOCIAL SERVICES

American Red Cross: First-aid training, blood services, CPR classes, disaster preparedness and water-safety training. Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties: 228-896-4511. Jackson County: 228-762-2455.

Back Bay Mission: 1012 Division St, Biloxi, 228-432-0301. Emergency assistance with transportation, utilities and rent; referral services, housing rehabilitation and community development.

Center for Prevention of Child Abuse: 2315 17th St, Gulfport, 228-868-8686. Advocacy for child abuse, parenting classes, forensics interviewing, and counseling for child abuse victims. Child Abuse Hotline: 800-222-8000.

Department of Human Services: Hancock County, 228-467-4100; Harrison County, 228-897-5790; Jackson County, 228-769-3444; Pearl River County, 601-795-3038; Stone County, 601-928-2510; George County, 601-947-7551.

Domestic Violence Shelter: 24-hour crisis line, 228-762-8267. Shelter for women and children and individual or group counseling.

Family & Children’s Services: Hancock County, 228-467-4100; Harrison County, 228-897-5790; and Jackson County, 228-769-3444.

Goodwill Industries: 228-863-2323. Employment training, counseling and employment opportunities.

Gulf Coast Community Action Agency: 228-896-1409 (administrative office) or 888-603-4222. Client services locations: 308 US 90, Suite M, Waveland, 228-467-0158; 315 E Central Ave, Wiggins, 601-928-5044; 7102 Hwy 98 East, Lucedale, 601-947-7426; 3201 D Ave, Gulfport, 228-865-4375; GCCAA offers an array of programs, which include: Community Service Block Grant, Headstart program for 3- to 5-year-olds (Harrison County only), Federal Emergency Management Assistance Program, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Homeownership Counseling, HUD Housing counseling, Emergency Shelter Grant, Working-on-Winning Workforce Investment Programs, Summer Feeding Program and Earned Income Tax Credit services. In addition, the agency offers information and referral and outreach services.

Gulf Coast Rescue Mission: 2750 Mission Lane (off DeBuys Rd), Biloxi, 228-388-3884. Provides food and temporary shelter for men only as well as clothing for the needy.

Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence: 228-435-1968 or 800-800-1396. Support and advocacy for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Services offered: counseling and support groups for victims, intervention program for batterers, court advocacy, preschool for ages 3-5, children’s therapist, public Speakers Bureau and school outreach and education programs.