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Community Resources

The mission of the Refuge in Otsego County is to provide temporary housing during the cold winter months (October 28 to June 1) for residents of Otsego County who become homeless. The Refuge is now closed but will re-open October 28, 2024. If you need help before Monday, October 28, call 2-1-1 or 844-875-9211 (24/7 hotline) for information regarding any other agency services available, including a list of Otsego landlords you can contact.
 

The following shelters are open at this writing in the Otsego/northern lower MI area.

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Shelters
Sunrise Mission of Alpena serving men, women and families (989) 356-1277

Nehemiah Project of Petoskey- serving men, women and families;
(231) 347-0363, (1-844-900-0500 NMCAA

New Hope Shelter of Cadillac- serving men, women and families (231) 775-3702

Goodwill Inn of Traverse City- serving men, women and families (231) 922-4890

New Dawn Shelter of Gladwin- serving men, women and families (989) 709-6089

The River House of Grayling- serving women only; (989) 348–3169 

Women’s Resource Center- serving victims of domestic violence (989) 731-0918 (Gaylord Crisis Line).

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Housing & Homeless Assistance
(NEMCSA) Northern East Michigan Community Service Agency at (989) 358-4700.
The Refuge (989) 350- 8231

Karing Home Youth Project at (989) 448-6654, housing for youth ages 18-24

​Salvation Army Central Intake at (810)​ 232-2197


Veteran Services
4 Heroes Network of MI (231) 622-9965

Patriot Place of Gaylord, (989) 448-2260
Gaylord VA Clinic (989) 732-7525
Otsego County Veterans Affairs​ (989)–731-7575
VFW Ron- (248) 918-7658 or Tony (989) 732-3574.
Vets Inc
 

​Senior Services
(OCCOA) Otsego County Commission on Aging at (989)–732-1122.
 

​Food Assistance
Otsego County Food Pantry (989) 732-8929
Monday- Friday 12pm-2pm Wednesdays ONLY 5pm-7pm
The Pantry is in the rear of the United Way building at 116 E. Fifth St., Gaylord

Women Resources
Women’s Resource Center (989) 731-0918
New Life Pregnancy Resource Center (989) 732-1626
 

Clothing Assistance 

Caring Closet 905 N. Center Ave, Gaylord. Hours are M-W-F​ from 1pm – 3 pm.
Salvation Army Central Intake at (810)​ 232-2197.
 

Employment Assistance

Michigan Works! in Gaylord at (989) 732-3886.


Transportation Assistance
TACKLE Cancer Treatment Transportation 989-732-8929, Listen to Prompts
Riding-4-U Taxi Service (989) 370-4300
Otsego Country Bus System (989)732-6224



Mental Health Assistance (Including Addiction)
Northern Michigan Regional Entity (810) 834-3393. 
THE SUICIDE HOTINE DIAL 9-8-8.

Community Mental Health (989) 732- 6292

Community Home and Health Services (989) 732-6374
 

Other Assistance (Other than homelessness) Car Repairs

Otsego START Navigator  989-732-8929.
Community Mediation Services (989) 732-1576
Legal Services (989) 705-1067
Up North Adoptive and Foster Closet (Contact through Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/groups/428980291663924
Michigan 2-1-1 Services DIAL 2-1-1
Health Department of Northwest Michigan
Appts and Info: (800) 432-4121 | Public Health Information: (800) 386-5959
Otsego-Antrim Habit for Humanity (989) 732-6070
American Red Cross (800) 733-2767

State of Michigan Services
MI DHHS Benefit & Emergency Needs 1 (844) 464-3447

Client Connect Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-3:00pm
Geo Group Email: mdhhs-gr8north11@michigan.gov
Steps to Speak to a Case Worker:
1.Press 1 for English
2.Press 1 for client or interested in being a client
3. Press 3 do not know SS# or ID#
4. Press 3 Case Status
5. Enter 5 Digit Zip Code, followed by # key
6. Will tell you how many are in queue. You can wait for the worker to answer or wait to leave your number for a call back.

Adult & Child Protective Services Central Intake 1 (855) 444-3911

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