Community Connections for January 2021

Community Connections for January, 2021

Trying to keep warm?

BCOC may be able to help.

Crisis Heating
Weatherization
Utility Assistance

Crisis Heating

BCOC is the responding agency for heating crises in Bucks County, for income-qualified families, who are without heat or in immediate danger of being without heat. To report a broken heater, Bucks Country residents may call the LIHEAP Information Line at 215-781-3393.

Weatherization

To see if you are eligible and request an application, or for more information, email the Home Weatherization and Energy Conservation Program at cdeguzman@bcoc.org or call 215-536-5491, or click this link.

Utility Assistance

Emergency Prevention and Stabilization aims to help people in Bucks County overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, such as homelessness, eviction, or utility shut-off, and to limit future need for help. BCOC coaches will work with clients to assess the emergency, stabilize the situation and develop a plan to prevent future emergencies. Individuals and families with annual household income at or below 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Income Guideline ($41,560 for a household of three) may be eligible for one-time assistance to prevent or stabilize an emergency situation.

Emergency Utility Assistance

Client Testimonial:

"Unbelievable! You folks did an amazing job. Didn't have any idea how much work was needed. Really appreciate everything and in the professional and mannerly way it was done. My home feels so much more comfortable and now I have real peace of mind. Thanks again."

- CW, Weatherization Client

BCOC will once again provide free tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income tax Assistance Program (VITA)- our 17th year!

Appointments will be available on our website beginning in February.

VITA would not be possible with out the dedication of our tax volunteers- thank you!

"Happy to be joining (the BCOC Tax Team) this year. So glad you and everyone involved made some modifications to the program so that the rollout makes volunteer and client safety a priority. Thanks for the continued effort! I really feel that the VITA program and everything that the BCOC does is such a huge asset to the community."

- JB, VITA Volunteer

Donate Buddy Bags!

January’s donation theme is buddy bags. It is as easy as 1-2-3 to create healthy student snack bags for kids in need! Donations will be accepted Wednesdays and Thursdays in January from 9 AM – 12 PM at the HELP Center.

See some examples down below for inspiration:

BCOC in the Community

BCOC's Economic Self-Sufficiency program was recognized at the state level in the Community Action Agency of Pennsylvania's (CAAP) newsletter earlier this month.

Watch BCOC's 2020 ES Virtual Graduation HERE!

Grateful for our Community!

Thank you to the employees of Stone Hill Contracting and their network for collecting over $4,000 to BCOC to help us continue to do the work that we do. We are so thankful for the amazing partners we have throughout the community of Bucks County.

To learn more about becoming a community partner contact Joseph S. Cuozzo, Director of Development at 215-345-8175 ext. 204 or jcuozzo@bcoc.org for more information,

To donate to BCOC click the button below!

Donate Here!

Resources:

Updated list for Food pantries throughout Bucks County.

There is a new State Representative for the 143rd District! Representative Shelby Labs has a Website, which contains a list of resources including latest news, local events, citizen access portal and PennDOT forms to name a few. Link to her Facebook page.

Click this link to find your local State Representative today!

Bucks County Opportunity Council is a proud member of the National Community Action Network. Learn more about the National Community Action Partnership at communityactionpartnership.com.

The Bucks County Opportunity Council is the designated Community Action Agency (CAA) for Bucks County. We are one of 42 Community Action agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and one of 1,000 across the nation! Each CAA is responsive to the needs of their own local community, and is tasked with providing targeted solutions to the issues around poverty in that community.

BCOC provides a wide range of services to enable residents to achieve Economic Self-Sufficiency, through case management, Rapid Re-housing, emergency crisis stabilization services, Street Outreach, free tax preparation, food resources, Fresh Connect, weatherization and more to Bucks County residents in need. We hope you will stand with us as our partners as we navigate the challenges of 2020, and #BeCommunityAction!

Bucks County Opportunity Council Inc. | www.bcoc.org | 215-345-8175