For nearly everyone in our community, coronavirus has changed day-to-day life, and with those changes can come hardships – financially, mentally and physically.
Metro Detroit’s social service organizations are gearing up to meet the needs of those weathering this anxiety-inducing time. For people in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties, relief is being provided on the local and state level.
The physical offices of many organizations are now closed, but staff members can answer questions over the phone. Read on for information about unemployment benefits, free meals, mental health services and more.
Beaumont Online Risk Assessment
- Phone: 800-592-4784
This simple online questionnaire allows the user to find out their COVID-19 risk based on current symptoms. Depending on the answers, it will tell users the next step to take — whether that’s taking precautionary measures at home or going to the hospital.
Community Action Network (Washtenaw County)
- Phone: 734-994-2985
Find options for emergency housing, mental health services, utilities assistance and transportation on this site.
Covid313.org
A guide for Detroit students and families. Information on learning from home, a map showing where to find free meals, how to find financial relief and more.
Expanded Unemployment Benefits
- Phone: 1-866-500-0017
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order on March 16 extending unemployment benefits. Workers who have to stay home to take care of their children during school closures, those who are sick, quarantined or immunocompromised and don’t have access to paid leave and first responders who become ill or quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure are now eligible. Apply at michigan.gov/uia.
Food Gatherers (Washtenaw County)
- Phone: 734-761-2796
A map showing locations of food pantries is on this site. The days and times of different meal pickup locations are included.
Great Start (Wayne County)
- Phone: 734-225-6616
This organization created an online search for every food pantry and meal pickup site in Wayne County. Plus, a compilation of family friendly shelters, water shutoff help and other necessary information.
Library Street Collective
- Phone: 313- 600-7443
- Address: 1260 Library St., Detroit
Free dinners for two weeks for Detroit Public Schools students while they create art at this gallery. Food will be provided by nearby restaurant Standby. A sketchbook called “We All Rise” will be included with meals.
Macomb Community Action
- Locations:
- Central Macomb: 586-469-6964
- South Macomb: 586-759-9150
- Northern Macomb: 586-749-5146
This agency helps Macomb County residents navigate housing, transportation, free meals, tax services and more. There are three locations in Macomb; visit the website to see which location serves your community.
Metro Detroit COVID-19 Support Facebook Group
This Facebook group has posts on ways to keep kids entertained (like the Cincinnati Zoo livestream at 3 p.m. daily or Ann Arbor Film Festival stream). Plus, a community space for local residents to ask questions and find answers in this confusing time.
Oakgov.com
- Phone: 888-350-0900
Oakland County’s website has turned into a landing spot for information on how to stay healthy for businesses, seniors, faith-based organizations and more.
TechTown
- Phone: 734-494-0521
This Detroit-based tech hub is launching an emergency fund for small businesses (with 10 employees or less) in Detroit. Grants up to $5,000 will be provided. There’s a small business resource guide, too.
United Way
- Phone: 1-800-552-1183
An emergency relief fund for those suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, especially financially, is underway. Find information on free meals, utilities assistance and more.
Wayne Metro Community Action Agency
- Phone: 313-388-9799
The website has information on extensions to deadlines like filing property tax exemptions and other details on services, like electricity and internet speeds.
We the People of Detroit
- Phone: 1-844-429-2837
This volunteer-run community group is distributing water to those in need in the Detroit area. View this map to see water stations.
Zero to Thrive
- Phone: 734-232-5747
This Ann Arbor-based initiative has created an online guide to help young children through the COVID-19 crisis. Parents can use the guide to check in with their young children emotionally and learn how to talk to them about the crisis.