Organization aims to intervene for residents struggling in the face of a financial crisis

For 37 years, the Assistance Center of Collin County has remained a home base to families and individuals in need of immediate, short-term assistance in the middle of a crisis.

The nonprofit organization began as an information referral program that served as a middleman to connect county residents with other agencies or resources that could provide assistance.

These days, the center continues to provide referral service, but also provides direct services primarily to clients who need help in paying rent and utility bills.

Executive Director Yvonne Booker said ACCC offers on-site direct assistance to its clients.

However, if the center cannot fulfill the need at that time, she said the center retains a database of 345 agencies throughout Collin County that can help remedy the client's situation.

"We're the first point of contact for people in need and the first place another agency or other service organization in Plano would send someone if [the agency] doesn't know how to get [the client] the help they need," said Steve Sutton, chairman of the board for ACCC. "While [the client] may not get the direct assistance here, we'll at least connect them to a place they can go."

While Booker said the primary need used to be moment-in-time events, such as Christmas presents or back-to-school issues, the most direct need for the community now is rental and utility fee assistance because of the increased costs of living in Plano and surrounding areas.

Through one-on-one meetings with each client, ACCC determines on a case-by-case basis the best way to steward financial donations, said Program Director Natalie Evans said.

ACCC does not cover the cost of an entire bill, but rather contributes a portion. The organization alsoprovides checks written out directly to the landlord or utility company, and verifies receipt of payment from companies as well.

"That leveraged dollar helps [the client] feel as though they are still in control of their economic well-being," Booker said. "We empower, we don't enable."

While Sutton said the general public has limited awareness of ACCC, the nonprofit receives numerous referrals from other local agencies.

"There are hundreds of agencies around but you only need to know one telephone number," Sutton said.

Assistance Center of Collin County, 900 18th St. 972-422-1850, www.assistancecenter.org, Hours: Call center Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Lobby Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

ACCC programs and services

• Homeless prevention
• Feed the hungry
• Provide emergency assistance
• Follow-up health care for patients and prescription medicine plans
• Faith-based benevolence
• "Tools for School" event
• "Hope for the Holidays" event