At the Crisis Assistance Center in Conroe, families and individuals can receive an array of support when they experience a crisis. The nonprofit formerly known as Montgomery County Emergency Assistance has served the community since 1981.

CAC Executive Director Jennifer Landers said the agency offers short-term assistance by providing food, clothing, access to local resources, and funds for utilities, rent or a mortgage.

“No one plans to lose their job. No one is expecting to have a major health crisis that they aren’t prepared for,” Landers said. “Crisis can happen to anybody. … Somebody in here may be your neighbor or someone you work with.”

In addition to short-term assistance, CAC also has a range of long-term programs to help Montgomery County residents get back on their feet, such as the Hand up Program. The agency partners with other nonprofits to offer life-skills training and financial literacy classes to clients.

Landers said CAC also features an on-site resale shop, Unique Resale, and a food pantry. Unique Resale’s inventory is compiled of donations, the sales of which generate revenue for programs and provide items to help meet the clients’ basic needs.

For those who want to give back to the community, the agency also offers volunteer opportunities. CAC needs volunteers in the resale shop, sorting items in the food pantry, and to help with the food, clothing and coat drives it often holds, Landers said.

“The bulk of who we work with is what I call the working poor. These individuals and families are working two to three jobs to make ends meet, just to pay the bills and just to survive,” she said. “They really do want to get to a different station in life—and we really are the way to help them get there.”