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 finical 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.
As Pope Francis lead us in celebrating “World Day of the Poor~ 2020”, he shares with us that people “like our clients “enable us to encounter the Face of Christ”. The Holy Father's message for 2020 is a reflection on Sirach 7:32: "Stretch forth your hand to the poor". Pope Francis encourages us to serve and bear the burden of the weak and poor.
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
GETTING AHEAD IN A JUST GETTIN' BY WORLD
Getting Ahead is an incredible learning experience for individuals willing to participate and ready to create their own future story focused on getting out of poverty.
NOW IS YOUR TIME!
- Be part of a small group workshop that meets for 16 sestons.
- Learn to build more resources in your life. Move beyond thinking about a change to actually doing it.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- Small meal provided.
- A $25 stipend for each session to help support your work during the GETTING AHEAD PROGRAM
APPLY NOW
call (248) 459-9621 or email cort@cert pontiac.org
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE LEARN FROM OTHERS FIND YOUR STRENGTHS BUILD YOUR RESOURCES
Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin' by World is a 16- session workshop series providing people who are motivated to get out of poverty with the tools and support necessary to 'Get Ahead' in today's world. Working in a group learning environment, you will Investigate your experience of poverty, as well as the impact within your community, providing critical information to take action to end poverty.
Learn about the resources used to move out of poverty (money is just one-(1) of the eleven (11) resources you need). Learn how these resources affect your life and the lives of your family members. By examining the resources you have versus the resources you need, you will be able to create a personal plan based on your goals and dreams for the future, to get out of poverty.
11 RESOURCES
Personalize your plan to a better life using these key resources:
- Financial
- Emotional
- Language
- Mental/Cognitive
- Social Capital/Connections
- Physical
Spiritual - Motivation/Peistence
- Integrity/Trust
- Relationships/Role Models
- Knowledge of the "Hidden Rules
Do you want more control over your life but unsure where to start?
Do you have dreams about your future but have not found the right tools to help you get started?
We invite you to interview for a space in our next "Getting Ahead" class! Sign up Today!
Are you Interested in the next Getting Ahead Class - FALL 2025?
Please fill-out form below to register for the Fall Class 2025.
More details to follow.
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Calling All Getting Ahead Graduates!
We’re excited to announce an Upcoming Reunion on Wednesday, July 10th in the evening at Kirk in the Hills!
🎉 Be on the lookout for your official email invitation coming soon.
📬 Has your email address changed since graduation?
Please call the office to update your contact information so you don’t miss out!
We can't wait to reconnect with you!
Past 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.
