Countering Domestic Violence / Neville House, a program of Mid Central Community Action, Inc., seeks to hire a part-time Adult Therapist to provide individual and group counseling services to adult victims of domestic violence.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate dedication to client population and cultural sensitivity, effective therapeutic intervention techniques and the ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Master’s Degree in Counseling or Social Work and professional licensure required.

For consideration:  submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references  to cdvnev@mccainc.org by 8:00am on August 2, 2010

MCCA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our mission is to promote safe and stable families, neighborhoods, and communities.

MCCA today announced the award of $250,000 in grants and loans to assist 70 first-time homebuyers to in the purchase of a new home.  These funds are part of a $2.8 million Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) grant allocated to nine agencies for disbursement to Illinois residents to assist with down payment and closing costs, subordinate loans and homebuyer education to income-eligible homebuyers.

More information on this program can be found on our Downpayment Assistance page.

Photo credit: Radio Bloomington

Congressman Tim Johnson (R) visited Fairbury yesterday.  hosting a town hall meeting with residents.

Mid Central Community Action’s Director of Housing Development, Rick Barrera, attended the meeting to address the issue of the rising number of foreclosures in the area, and the time it takes to get loan modifications approved.

Along with Rep.  Shane Cultra (R), Johnson answered questions from the crowd of more than 30 people who attended the meeting.

You can download your copy here.

We cannot begin making appointments until July 19, which will also be a walk in day in both McLean County and Livingston County. This program pays $150 on electric bills for at risk households:

• seniors 60 and over;
• persons receiving SS, SSI or VA disability payments or who have pending documentation;
• those households with a child aged 2 or under; and
• households where someone has a serious medical condition aggravated by extreme heat – they must provide a Dr’s letter dated within the last ninety days.

There is no reconnection assistance with this program and no cash payments for renters where the landlord pays the electricity. Income guidelines remain the same as last year.

Please contact a MCCA office for additional information or call on or after July 19 for an appointment – we will post additional walk in days as they are determined.

In McLean County, call 309-829-0691
In Livingston County, call 815-844-3201

Oh, and if you have a Shop-Vac looking for a home, we’ll take that, too!

Donations for Neville House may be delivered to the loading dock at the rear of our 1301 W Washington St building in Bloomington. There will be someone there to take your donation between the hours of 11:30am and 1:30pm.

Donations from kind-hearted community members help us to keep Neville House operating and help victims of domestic violence to escape the cycle of violence to start a new life in safety and security.

Thank you for your donations!

Mid Central Community Action is accepting applications for the IDA (Individual Development Accounts) program.  If you are looking to purchase a house, go to college, or start your own business you should apply.  The program helps you save money towards your goal and at the end of the program MCCA will match the funds you have saved 2 to 1 (limit is $2,000). 

Application forms are available from the MCCA office, or download one from the website.

For more information, see the IDA page

The fair is essentially to inform local residents of services that are available to help families – and we’ll be there!

Along with the various organizations that are represented, you’ll also find a ton of stuff for the kids to do! Games with prizes, free hot dogs, popcorn, face painting and balloons. Also – new this year – inspirational speakers, praise dancers and choirs from local churches.

Come out. Get informed. Get entertained. And have fun!

Mid Central Community Action has supported the Bergners Community Days fundraisers in the past, and now the good people at BonTon (Bergners parent company) are offering friends and supporters of MCCA another way to save!

Bergners is a department store, offering two floors of clothing, cosmetics, shoes, homewares, accessories, etc. They carry many famous brand names and their red and yellow tag sale prices cannot be beat! Whether shopping for yourself and your family or for a gift, you’re sure to find many items to suit your needs without breaking the bank.

Click here to print a 25% off coupon for great savings at Bergners, through Tuesday, June 15th.

In Bloomington, our local Bergners store is in Eastland Mall, or you can also use the coupon to shop online – or you can text “FF” to 266866 to receive a text coupon.

Some restrictions to apply, so make sure to read the fine print! Happy shopping!

Tornado damage in Dwight. Photo by Kelly Krug

On Saturday night, tornadoes ripped across Central Illinois, leaving a trail of damage that most of us can only imagine in our worst dreams. Homes in Peoria, Dwight, Streator and surrounding areas were ripped from their foundations, cars were lifted into the air and deposited many feet away, huge trees were uprooted, power lines were downed and a train was derailed.

(Report from ChicagoBreakingNews.com)

MCCA is able to assist residents in Livingston County with car repairs for cars that were damaged by the tornado, and with a security deposit or first month’s rent should they have to move due to tornado damage.

To receive this assistance, residents must be employed, and be at or below 200% of the poverty level. See guidelines below:

For households with more than eight (8) residents, please add $623 (30 Day Income), or $7,480 (Annual Income) for each additional person

For more information, or to apply for assistance, please call the Livingston County office in Pontiac on (815) 844 3201, or email CathyG@MCCAinc.org