Client Services

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Eligibility Requirements for Assistance Programs

You must be a resident of Idyllwild, Mountain Center, or Pine Cove.
You must meet all income and eligibility requirements
You must be able to document and accurately verify all information given on any of the required forms
Each client must “volunteer” a set amount of time for each service received at our Thrift Store or HELP Center.

Medical Assistance (limited time)

Through grants from the Disney Corporation, The Mann Foundation, The Crummer Foundation, and The California Wellness Foundation we are able to provide qualifying clients with vouchers for emergency doctor appointments, dental visits, eye exams and glasses, and prescription funding. Gas vouchers for medical appointments off the Hill are also available. This is only available for a limited time.

Idyllwild Children’s Fund

Parents can apply for a voucher that can be used for general children’s needs including such things as back-to-school supplies, sports registration and equipment and child care.

Food Assistance Program/Food Pantry

When grant funding is available, the Idyllwild HELP Center issues food vouchers to qualified clients. The vouchers are good at Fairway Market in Idyllwild. The amount of the voucher depends on the size of the family served. The vouchers allow clients to purchase fresh, perishable food items that we do not carry in our Food Pantry.

From our Food Pantry, qualifying clients can receive a bag of food (enough to feed their family for five days) once every week.

What our Food Pantry can always use:

(Please, no opened food items or containers or expired food items.)

Canned soups, spaghetti sauce, pasta, helper meals, canned tuna or meat, macaroni and cheese, Top Ramen, canned fruit, beef stew, cereal, juice, peanut butter, jelly or jam, and chili. Personal items: shampoo, conditioner, tooth brushes, tooth paste, bars of soap.

The Idyllwild HELP Center is now serving more than 600 clients! Please help us with your donations today. The HELP Center’s hours for donations only are: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. However, you can bring your donated food items to our Thrift Store on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thank you for your support.

Thank You For Caring!

Utility Assistance Program

Depending upon available funds, the Idyllwild HELP Center is able to offer qualified clients vouchers to be used towards their propane or electric bill. This voucher can be used once in the life of the funding period which starts in October and goes through February. Funding is upon availability of funds. Qualifying clients must bring in their current utility bill. A check for a certain amount will be made out and mailed to their utility company. There are restrictions in the use of this program. We will not accept shut off notices or a bill with the amount owed over $500.

Community Action Partnership (CAP) 951-955-6408 Program to offset the cost of energy for Calif. low income households. HEAP provides a payment, once every calendar year, in the form of a direct payment to a utility company. CAP also help with weatherization. Call for more information.

Southern California Edison/Low Income Program 800-736-4777. Program for low-income customers should call about energy efficiency services to needy customers; efficient lighting, evaporative coolers and weatherization. Qualifying customers may also be eligible for a 15% discount on their electricity rates.

Split Firewood Assistance Program

The HELP Center is fortunate to offer this service to our qualifying clients and it is only through the efforts of the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council “Woodies”, several tree contractors, Cal-Fire, and private donations of wood, that we are able to offer split firewood. Each household is able to come to the HELP Center and receive a set amount (that is dependent upon the amount of wood resources) of firewood weekly (depending on the season).

Women’s Cabinet

Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Idyllwild, the Women’s Cabinet provides, as needed, free access to personal hygiene and basic need items for women of all ages. Items available include: toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, hand soap, dish soap, bath soap, tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, dental floss, tissues, and laundry detergent

Community Pantry 951-929-1101. Programs for utility assistance and food.

Homeless/Shelters

County of Riverside, Department Public Social Services – Homeless division – John Purinton- 951-791-3324

Valley Restart 951766-7476

Project Touch 951-677-9661

Casa Youth Shelter 562-594-6825

Catholic Charities/Community Services 951-784-5020. Programs: Psychological counseling for individuals and family, case management, emergency food, diapers, clothing, and referrals. Emergency housing for needy transients with pre-arranged motel accommodations.

Operation Safehouse 951-351-4418, Programs: Short-term 24 hour shelter for runaways fand homeless youth ages 12-17 yrs. Individual, family and group counseling, substance abuse.

Food Pantries

Community Pantry 951-929-1101. Located in Hemet.

Well in the Desert https://www.wellinthedesert.org/ Located in Palm Desert.

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