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

Become someone who supports those efforts by becoming an Ally, volunteering to work alongside them on their journey forward. Or support the Circle Leaders and Allies as a volunteer with one of our resource teams.

We are in particular need of childcare volunteers, who work with children at our weekly Circles meetings and volunteer from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays (with dinner included and the curriculum provided).

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

Circles is funded by a grant from Fremont Area Community Foundation​ and is affiliated with Circles USA​.

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.

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

The upcoming events at Camp Newaygo include:

Day of the Dance, Saturday, February 16, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Done by Camp Newaygo in collaboration with Safe Routes to Health, The Michigan Fitness Foundation, and Michigan AmeriCorps, Day of the Dance is a fun, inspirational and family-friendly event at the Health & Leadership Lodge. There is no cost, but donations are encouraged. Children younger than 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent.

Pints and Pottery, Saturday, March 16, 7 p.m. Start a new St. Patrick's Day tradition with a new spin on crafts night under the guidance of an experienced potter, with complimentary small plate offerings from Ridge Specialties and a cash bar. The cost is $40 per person, including one pint with registration. Ovenight packages are also available. 

Mom and Me Stomp, Sunday, March 17, 6 p.m. Have a fun evening with your son or daughter, dressing up in your best for dancing, cookies and punch, crafts and photos. The cost is $7 per person.

For more information, call (231) 652-1184 or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org. Camp Newaygo is located at 5333 South Centerline Road in Newaygo. 

TrueNorth Community Services is a host site for free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income households starting Monday, February 4, and running through early April. 

TrueNorth is a partner with Goodwill Industries of West Michigan’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Services for West Michigan (VITA). Hours at the TrueNorth Service Center, 6308 S. Warner Avenue (M-82) in Fremont, are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

To qualify, individuals must have a household income below $60,000.

For an appointment, call Michigan 2-1-1 at (877) 211-5253 or  211. Appointment coordinators verify eligibility and inform filers about the documents required for their appointment.

Eligible filers can opt for a full-service one-on-one appointment with an IRS-certified volunteer, or choose self-service with assistance with the free use of computers and software; or they can file from home using the online tax program www.myfreetaxes.com.

VITA Services for West Michigan is funded in part by United Way of the Lakeshore.

TrueMentors is focused on nurturing kids.

TrueMentors' community mentoring volunteers are matched with Newaygo County youth between the ages of 5 to 14 years old in a one-to-one mentoring relationship for a minimum one-year commitment.

To apply to be a mentor with TrueMentors, contact Hailey at mentoring@truenorthservices.org or (231) 924-0641, ext. 131.

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