People in need of assistance often turn toward local churches, and a collaborative of churches in the Rhinelander area have been working together to assist those needing help over the last two years. The group is called ACES, or Association of Churches for Emergency Support.
Carol Miller is an ACES spokesperson. She says the idea arose after several churches noticed people in need calling all the churches in the area...
"....basically it coordinates emergency aid. They utilize a pool of funds and then provide services to individuals in need of financial assistance...."
She says the ACES members first go an speak with the person or family needing help...
"...preferably they will meet with a client in their home, sometimes we meet in a neutral place and discerne what the clients needs are. We also refer them to other local resources because people in financial needs are aware of other resources available in the community...."
The participating churches are Calvary Baptist, First United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Four Square, Immanuel Lutheran, Nativity of Our Lord, North Country Vineyard Church, Trinity Lutheran and Salvation Army.
She says the volunteers will take calls for assistance in the Rhinelander area for a two-week period. Miller says they get referrals from other social service agencies in the area. She says ACES also coordinates with Goodwill and thrift shops in Rhinelander.
