Resources for Families

There are many resources available in our schools and throughout the community to support your student and your family. Each of our schools include staff dedicated to your student's physical, social-emotional, and mental health. The most important thing that students who are struggling can do is show up to school, and then reach out to a teacher, principal, or Communities in Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator for support.

• Download the facts about the importance of attendance.

• Help your child maintain good attendance in preschool, elementary school, and middle and high school.

• Learn more about chronic absences with useful tips to help your child get to school each day.

If there is anything making it difficult for your student to get to school, we are here to help! Contact your school for help finding support.

Housing: If your family is struggling with housing security and safety, please contact:

• S.A.F.E. Place Shelter | (269) 965-7233

  • S.A.F.E. Place is a 54-bed emergency shelter for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking located in Battle Creek. All services are free of charge and during a shelter stay, will provide food, bedding, hygiene products, and other basic needs.​

• Haven of Rest | (269) 965-1148

  • The Haven in Battle Creek provides emergency shelter for 30 to 60 days, all daily meals, and daily basic personal care needs. The Haven's case managers provide connection to counseling, substance abuse recovery assistance, support groups, transitional housing, and referrals for medical care, legal assistance, and employment.

• Community Action | 175 Main Street, Battle Creek, MI, 49014

  • Community Action is dedicated to promoting economic and social opportunities that help people achieve greater independence, dignity, and self-sufficiency. They can provide resources for childhood and adult education, nutrition and food services, emergency and senior services, transportation services, and housing.

Rent Payment Assistance: If your family is struggling with rent payments, please contact:

• Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services | 190 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI, 49014

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides public assistance, child and family welfare services, and oversees mental health and substance abuse services.

• Salvation Army | 400 Capital Avenue Northeast, Battle Creek, MI, 49017

  • The Salvation Army in Battle Creek provides support and resources for overcoming poverty, as well as support curing hunger, elderly support, combating addiction, and resources for natural disaster victims.

Food Assistance: If your family is in need of food assistance, please contact:

• Christ United Methodist Church Battle Creek | 65 North Bedford Road, Battle Creek, MI, 49037

  • Christ United Methodist Church is the host and home of the Urbandale Food Pantry. Urbandale Food Pantry hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 10 a.m. until noon.

• Saint Peter Lutheran Church | 1079 Riverside Drive, Battle Creek, MI, 49015

  • St. Peter Lutheran Church has nearly a dozen ministries helping the Battle Creek community, including food pantries, summer breakfast programs, and more.

• Neighborhood Food Pantry Ministries | 380 Truth Drive, Battle Creek, MI, 49017

  • The Neighborhood Food Pantry Ministry provides food services to all who need it in Battle Creek.

• Kendall Street Pantry | 175 South Kendall Street, Battle Creek, MI, 49037

  • Kendall Street Food Pantry provides food and grocery products for those in need who are unable to take advantage of the other services available in Battle Creek.

• Salvation Army | 400 Capital Avenue Northeast, Battle Creek, MI, 49017

  • The Salvation Army provides food assistance through food pantries and serving meals at Sally’s Kitchen in Battle Creek.

• R.I.S.E. | Damion Brown, 269-358-9466

  • RISE Corp is a local organization that addresses the food insecurities of the most vulnerable residents of Battle Creek.

Mental Health: If your student is struggling with mental health challenges, please contact:

• Family and Children's Services | 269-965-3247

  • Family & Children Services offers behavioral health, child welfare and crisis intervention services to the Battle Creek community.

• Summit Pointe | 269-966-1460 (24 hour crisis line: 800-632-5449)

  • Summit Pointe provides behavioral health services for youth and families in the Battle Creek community. They range from therapy-based programs for the individual child to non-therapeutic programs that engage the whole family.

• SHARE Center | 269-964-8133

  • SHARE Center in Battle Creek provides support for people struggling with addiction or mental health issues, as well as a wide range of community resources that help remove barriers and meet families basic needs.

Support Groups: For additional support organizations, visit:

• Parents of Murdered Children | (513) 721-5683

  • POMC provides support to survivors of homicide victims, as well as a variety of legal resources, grieving support, online programming, training and education materials, and more.

• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers | 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435)

  • MADD aims to end drunk driving and help victims of drunk driving by providing support and resources at the national, state, and local level.