Read It in the Morning Paper, Social Services Edition

Aug 14, 2021 at 9:01 am The Ledger

ELDERPOINT SERVICES, a nonprofit agency that provided transportation and nutrition for seniors, has discontinued its services. VISTE and Citrus Connection are working to serve as many former ElderPoint clients as possible.
LAKE WIRE RETIREMENT CENTER on Peachtree Street has closed, its owner retiring and selling the property to a developer who plans to build apartments. New housing has been found for the 38 residents, owner Jacquelyn Dawson said.

As Eviction Moratorium Ends, Renters Urged to Seek Assistance

Jul 29, 2021 at 6:51 am The Ledger

With the federal eviction moratorium ending Saturday, local officials are urging renters who are behind on payments and were affected by COVID-19 to apply for assistance through a Polk County emergency fund; they can also seek help through United Way’s 2-1-1 phone line. Polk courts face a backlog of 765 eviction cases dating to January 2020, The Ledger reports. | MORE: Polk rental assistance

Health/ Social Services

Grief Center for Kids to Return to Lakeland

May 12, 2021 at 5:03 pm

The founders of a center for grief-stricken children say it’s time for a return to its Lakeland hometown – time to rebuild and renew the vision of a beloved friend who passed away but left them with a call to action. More

Housing/ Social Services

Talbot House Taking Applications for Vermont Place Apartments

Mar 11, 2021 at 11:26 am

Talbot House Ministries is accepting applications from prospective tenants for its affordable housing project, the Vermont Place Apartments at 912 and 920 N. Vermont Ave. More

Social Services/ Housing

Grant Propels Gospel Inc. Toward Its Vision of a Tiny-House Village for the Homeless

Feb 11, 2021 at 12:18 pm

Gospel Inc.’s purchase of a mobile home park near downtown Lakeland, funded by the federal CARES Act, is the first step in its long-term plans for Gospel Town, a housing and work complex for former transients, according to founder and Director Brian Seeley. More

Social Services

Covid Grants Helping 3 Local Social Service Agencies Expand

Feb 9, 2021 at 8:34 am

Three Lakeland social-service organizations — Gospel Inc., Talbot House Ministries and Peace River Center — are readying for facility improvements afforded by COVID-19 grants. More

Consumer/ Social Services

Main Library to Partially Close for History Center Construction

Jan 25, 2021 at 4:07 am

Most of the main Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton will be closed to the public for at least eight months starting in mid-February as crews construct a Lakeland History and Culture Center. More

Housing/ Social Services

Polk Reopens Rent and Mortgage Assistance

Dec 17, 2020 at 8:57 am News Channel 8

With a new infusion of federal CARES Act money, the Polk County Commission has allocated $1 million to rent and mortgage assistance for people who lost income during the pandemic and have not received relief, News Channel 8 reports. Applications will be available starting Dec. 29 on the county website. | ALSO: Ledger coverage

Activism/ Business/ Social Services

Citizens Bank Grants $100,000 to Local Nonprofits

Dec 16, 2020 at 7:04 am

The season of giving has given reason for hope to directors of more than two dozen local nonprofit organizations that received grants from Citizens Bank & Trust. The Polk-based bank’s philanthropic distribution was named 100 Days of Giving to help celebrate its 100^th birthday this year. More

Activism/ Social Services

Talbot House, KidsPACK Help Feed Neighbors in Need

Nov 26, 2020 at 8:35 am Bay News 9

Talbot House Ministries serves three hot meals a day to the community’s homeless, and KidsPACK sends packets of food home each Friday with underserved Polk students, Bay News 9 reports.