TrueNorth Community Services' emPower heat and energy assistance program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels bills in Michigan, helping them to become self-sufficient.

emPower is working to provide help across Michigan for 2018-2019 in partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Agency for Energy.

These are the steps to discover success with emPower’s assistance through its Self-Sufficiency Services:

1. Complete and be approved for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ State Emergency Relief (SER) assistance. Apply through MI Bridges
2. Choose TrueNorth Community Services as your referral partner
3. Get contacted by emPower to start your self-sufficiency journey

For more details, visit our emPower information page ; visit emPower's website or call 231.355.5880.

TrueNorth Community Services’ Coats for Kids (& Adults) collection runs from October 1 to November 2 at sites across greater Newaygo County, with drop boxes in Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud.

Donations of new or gently-used coats are sought to ensure every child and adult are safe and warm this winter.

The Coats for Kids (& Adults) distribution day is Saturday, November 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at TrueNorth’s Service Center, 6308 South Warner Avenue in Fremont.

Coats for Kids (& Adults) is sponsored, in part, by Fremont Area Community Foundation and Gerber Foundation.

For more information or details on Coats for Kids (& Adults), contact Mike Voyt at (231) 924-0641, ext. 119, or mvoyt@truenorthservices.org..

Circles Newaygo County strives to reduce poverty one family at a time, working with Circle Leaders (heads of families) to achieve self-sufficiency. 

Become someone who supports those efforts by becoming an Ally, volunteering to work alongside them on their journey forward.

To volunteer with or to get more details on Circles Newaygo County, call (231) 924-0641, ext. 220, or email circles@truenorthservices.org.

There are a range of community activities to enjoy at Camp Newaygo.

Upcoming events include:

Health & Leadership Lodge Grand Opening Celebration, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, October 25, with opening program 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The LEED-certified Health & Leadership Lodge is a two-story, 6,085-square-foot facility replacing the 85-year-old nurses’ cabin. The open-to-the-public event is co-hosted by InForm Architecture and RTS Construction Group, the firms responsible for the lodge’s design and construction. Public tours are also available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 27.

Halloweekend, Friday, October 26-Sunday, October 28. Bring out the whole family during Camp Newaygo’s Halloweekend Festival! Get into the spooky spirit with face painting, trolley rides, a Halloween craft, home made donuts, a cider press, Halloween bingo, pumpkin painting, spooky cabin tours, and more! The cost is $7 per person or $25 for a family of four.

Trick or Trot 5k Run/Walk, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, October 27. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with race starting a 10:30 a.m. with a route through the Chain of Lakes (Emerald, Sylvan and Pickerel). All proceeds benefit camp's healthy living programs. The cost is $24, with registration including Halloweekend festival entry.

Fall Volunteer Day, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, November 3. Coffee will be available at 8:30 a.m., with lunch by Ridge Specialties Catering. Please RSVP at campbiz@campnewaygo.org or 231.651.1184.

Krop for Kids, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, November 3. Support TrueMentors and Camp Newaygo at this all-day scrapbooking event. Cost: $30 for early registration; $35 after October 26. For more information, contact Chelsea Clark at 231.924.0641, ext. 109.

For more community events, visit campnewaygo.org/community-events/.

Camp Newaygo is located at 5333 S. Centerline Road in Newaygo. For more information, visit campnewaygo.org; call 231.652.1184; or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org.

When people ask: "Why should I support and/or volunteer for TrueNorth Community Services?" We say: "Because ..."

See for yourself here.