If You Need Help Right Now, Start Here
Things got hard fast. Maybe rent is due and you don’t have it. Maybe the lights are about to go out. Maybe you ran out of food. Maybe a lot of things are happening at once.
The Information Center has been the call for people in your spot for decades. A Community Navigator will listen, find the help that fits your situation, and walk you through what comes next. Call 734-282-7171.
What is Going On Right Now?
‘My rent is due and I don’t have it.’ We help find emergency rent help, work with your landlord, or find another safe place if needed.
‘I just got an eviction notice.’ Call us today. There may be more options than you think, we will walk through them.
‘My utilities are about to be shut off.’ Call us before the shut-off date. We help connect you to programs that pay utilities before they are cut.
‘I am running out of food.’ Food pantries, meal programs, and benefits enrollment. We help connect you fast.
‘I lost my job.’ Income options, unemployment, food and rent help, and connection to job search resources.
‘I have nowhere safe to stay tonight.’ Call us. Tell us where you are. We will help you find a safe option fast.
‘Something is going on with my mental health.’ We connect people to free or low-cost counseling, crisis support, and ongoing care.
‘My family situation is hard.’ Family stress, caregiving, kids needing more, problems at home, we help find support.
‘I don’t even know where to start.’ Just call. You don’t have to know what kind of help you need. We will figure it out together.
What Happens When You Call
The first call
Someone real picks up. Not a robot. Not a phone tree maze. A Community Navigator who listens.
They ask what is going on. Just tell them. You don’t need a perfect summary.
They listen. They will not interrupt. They will not lecture. They will not judge.
They figure out what kind of help fits. That part is on us. You don’t have to know which program or which agency.
They give you next steps. Names, numbers, eligibility info, and what to bring. Always plain and clear.
How long does it take?
Most first calls are 10 to 20 minutes. Longer if you have a lot going on. Shorter if your situation is simple.
What You Don’t Need to Have Ready
You do not need
A list of all your bills.
Your tax returns or bank statements.
A clean explanation of what is going on.
All the right paperwork. (We can get the rest later.)
To know exactly what kind of help you need.
A reason ‘good enough’ to call.
All you need
To call. That is it.
Who Can Call
This is for you if
You are an adult facing something hard.
You live in Wayne County (including Detroit) or Monroe County.
You are calling for yourself, a family member, a friend.
If you are outside our area
Call us anyway. We will help you find a community navigation agency near you. You will not be turned away.
What stays private
Your name, your situation, and what you tell us.
We do not sell, share, or post your information.
We do not call your employer, your landlord, or your family unless you ask us to.
Make the Call. We Will Take it From There.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. One call gets you a real conversation, real local help, and a real next step. We will listen first. No long forms. No pressure.
Call Us
Call us today. There is no obligation.
Refer Someone
Is there someone you know who could use our services? Refer Here!
Get the help you need to get back on track
We’re here to help. The Information Center is committed to advocating for our community. We’ll guide you through the services and resources that can get you back on track.
Common Questions about Community Navigation
Yes. Community Navigation is free. There is no fee for talking to us or for finding the right resources for your situation.
Yes. You do not have to be in crisis to call. If something is making life harder than it should be, that is enough.
What you share with us stays private. We do not sell, share, or post your information.
Call us anyway. We have a wide local network and we know which agencies can help right now. Sometimes the right call is one you have not tried.
We work with translation services to help non-English speakers. Call and let us know what language you speak.
Yes. A family member, friend, neighbor, or community worker can call on your behalf. We may need to talk to you directly at some point, but the first call can come from anyone.
That happens often. Tell us what is going on with them and we will figure out what fits.
We may also flag whether MI Choice Medicaid Waiver or another TIC program is a strong fit.
Most calls reach a Community Navigator quickly.
If we are at capacity, you can leave a message and we will call you back.
Call us anyway. We will help you find a community navigation agency near you.