Livingston Emergency Assistance Fund

ABOUT

The Livingston Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) is an on-going, restricted fund that provides families living in poverty with case management and crisis intervention assistance.

High energy costs, rising unemployment and under employment has brought a sharp increase in the number of crisis requests we receive. With the support of 23 church communities and civic groups who ran or contributed to Eat for Heat fundraisers, and grants from the Livingston County Community Initiatives Council and a private foundation, Catholic Charities established LEAF in 2008, for people in crisis who have no where else to turn.

Families from all over Livingston County have said “I never had to ask for help before” when they called us, in crisis. They are single moms with children, senior citizens, working poor, and unemployed. They are our neighbors, living without a safety net.

There are three funds that provide assistance: the Medicine Chest, Eat for Heat, and A Roof Overhead.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Your church, civic organization, or school can create an event to raise funds for LEAF. It can be an Eat for Heat event or something different that has appeal to your community. Click Here.
Make a tax deductible donation to the Livingston Emergency Assistance Fund. Click Here.
Volunteer with Catholic Charities to assist families by delivering donated furniture or assisting in our food pantry/clothing cupboard. Click Here.

Volunteers helping at an Eat for Heat event.

The Medicine Chest

Created in 2007 with support from the Kane Fund, the Medicine Chest helps those who are dealing with a medical crisis and have no health insurance or money necessary to buy prescriptions or get treatment. Children, elderly, and disabled persons living in poverty are our most vulnerable neighbors when it comes to illness.

EAT FOR HEAT

Every winter, families in our community suffer from the cold because they have trouble paying their heating bills. Many of those who seek our help are single mothers with young children. In 2006, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers created an event to raise money for emergency heat and utility assistance. Eat for Heat events are now held throughout Livingston County and bring people together to support a great cause. Last year LEAF spent over $25,000 on emergency services.

A ROOF OVERHEAD

One of the most difficult tasks we have is turning away a mother and her children when they come to us seeking help to avoid eviction. Emergency rent and mortgage assistance is difficult because of the expense and our lack of adequate funds. LEAF provides us with the opportunity to help more families get through a housing crisis and work toward stability.