Karen Emerson explained that NMCAA is a private non-profit community action agency serving ten counties in northwest lower Michigan (including Benzie County). Its motto is "helping people by linking services, resources, and opportunities."
NMCAA has three departments:
- Food & Nutrition
- Child & Family Development
- Community Service
Within these broad categories the agency offers a variety of services. For example under Child & Family Development the agency offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs, with weekly home visits. It offers "one-stop shopping" in housing counseling services, which include home repairs and weatherization assistance. NMCAA also can assist with emergency heat and utilities as funding is available.
The agency also offers a number of financial management services:
- A Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program
- Free tax preparation
- Individual Development Accounts (IDA's)
- Homebuyer Education
- Financial Fitness Workshops
- Budget CoachingForeclosure Prevention
NMCAA also offers assistance for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
The agency holds meetings in its Traverse City office the third Tuesday of each month with guest speakers to help people problem-solve. NMCAA has a Super Saturday in the 1st or 2nd week of February, which is a day of education and training for people experiencing poverty.