Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoosier households have experienced unexpected impacts on their personal and financial journeys. However, one Indiana organization is helping to lift the burden of these economic challenges. For those living within Monroe, Brown, Morgan and Greene counties, the South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) has been a positive force for individuals needing financial and housing counseling.Since 1965, SCCAP has supported the personal and economic independence of Hoosiers — meeting them where they are and giving them the tools they need to thrive. One of the primary resources available through SCCAP is the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (IERA). This program provides beneficial aid to residents, including life counseling as well as rental and utility assistance.SCCAP’s programs have had a remarkable impact on the communities they serve. As of January 2024, over 300 individuals have participated in SCCAP’s rental assistance program. Other services provided by SCCAP are plentiful and include Head Start education, energy assistance, housing choice vouchers and health insurance navigators.
Jessie Yeary, director of communications and advocacy at SCCAP, believes wholeheartedly in the importance of SCCAP’s offerings.
“We know the work we’re doing is necessary because we’re meeting people where they are, and getting them immediate assistance,” she said. “But change also needs to happen on a bigger scale so people don’t find themselves in these crisis situations.”
Looking to deliver more long-term support, SCCAP has created their own 18-month community-building model — known as Thriving Connections — with the goal of lifting individuals out of the poverty cycle. This program has already had an extensive impact in Indiana by establishing secure housing for individuals and providing a foundation for their financial stability. Housing Choice Coordinator Melinda Caron has witnessed the impact of an engaged community.
“Friendship and a supportive community are sometimes the most powerful tools to create lasting change in a person’s life,” Caron said.
Every person that comes into SCCAP’s office is welcomed with open arms and met with a program tailored to meet their needs.
“We have a holistic approach for our clients,” Yeary said. “If they’re coming in for one of our programs, we ensure they know about all of the programs they might qualify for. We help map a path for them to apply for those programs or connect them to the correct person to do so.”
More information about SCCAP can be found on their website at insccap.org or by calling their team at 812-339-3447. Individual consultations are welcomed but are by appointment only.