SErvices & PROGRAMS
Serving Pontiac Residents
Our clients who are Pontiac Residents:
About 30% of the residents and 50% of the children in Pontiac live below the poverty line according to census data. With their meager budgets, it takes just one unplanned mishap to send families into a financial nose-dive. Large extra expenses put these people at serious risk for life threatening problems like homelessness and hunger.
Christian Community Response Team - CCRT (formerly known as Catholic Community Response Team) is the organization that dedicates itself solely to the local, low-income population on behalf of Oakland County. Our mission is simple: to provide direct support and referral services to Pontiac residents for unmet emergency basic-living needs, in a manner inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are registered as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Formed twenty years ago by the ten parishes that comprise the Pontiac Area Vicariate of Detroit Archdiocese, CCRT receives support from those parishes and other Oakland County churches. We also partner with Lakeshore Legal Aid, Kirk in the Hills, Ladies of Charity & St. Vincent de Paul and supported by private donors. Your ongoing support is critical and enables us to keep up with the needs of the community.
Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, in his message for the 9th World Day of the Poor, reminds us:
“You, O Lord, are my hope” (Psalm 71:5). The poor can be witnesses to a strong and steadfast hope, precisely because they embody it in the midst of uncertainty, poverty, and marginalization. The poor are not a distraction for the Church; they are our beloved brothers and sisters; they put us in contact with the truth of the Gospel.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Statement
CCRT is committed to promoting and upholding the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We believe by embracing diversity we can better serve our community, reduce disparities and create a more just and equitable society.
Non-Discrimination Policy for Services Delivered
CCRT does not discriminate the delivery of services to any client based on race, creed, color, gender, age or sexual orientation.
"CCRT's most pressing concern is keeping people in their homes so they don't end up on the street," said Williams, who has been the CCRT director for twenty years. "Once that happens, every problem gets magnified. We are providing assistance for low-income and homeless people who are trying to break a vicious cycle of poverty. We are working to stabilize their living situation". Barbara Williams, Director.
Emergency Help Form
DO YOU HAVE PAST DUE ENERGY BILLS OR AN EVICTION NOTICE?
We are ready to ASSIST & HELP you with your energy bills or prevent your eviction.
Emergency Help Contact Form
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Getting Ahead program
Getting
AHEAD
in a Just-Gettin'-By World
Are you Interested in the next Getting Ahead Class - WINTER 2025?
Please fill-out form below to register for the Winter Class 2025.
More details to follow.
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Getting Ahead Programs
Are you just "Getting By" and would like to "Get Ahead"?
“Getting Ahead" mission is to shrink the barriers to success posed by economic class differences among people and groups. The program assists those in poverty begin their journey to self-sufficiency. The program is intended to enhance the quality of life for everyone. The program is also built on an evidence-based model and is designed to be sustainable year after year while adapting to the needs of the community. Helping individuals or "investigators" create their own path to a more secure and successful future is our objective.
Our Classes run 8 weeks (16 sessions) meeting 2 half-days a week. Upon completing all sessions, individuals receive a monetary gift and a certificate of completing the program. If you are interested and want to learn more, please contact us by submitting form below.
