County Treasurer Connects UAW Workers with Resources During Strike
(Oakland County Treasurer, Oct. 9, 2019)
Pontiac, Michigan – We in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office stand in solidarity with the men and women of the UAW who are fighting for our collective rights. We are mindful that during these times, the strike can put a strap on the family budget. That is why the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office is extending to all UAW members financial counseling services including the Treasurer’s Financial Empowerment Center and Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs. My team will meet with striking workers to provide one-on-one financial counseling to balance household budgets, to connect them to other government and charitable resources, and to help them avoid defaulting on property tax payments. Our financial counselors will also advise workers on how to form their own small businesses to introduce new revenue streams.
In addition to activating the Oakland County Treasurer’s Financial Empowerment Center and the Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs to assist striking UAW members’ families who are feeling the financial pain of this protracted contract negotiation, on behalf of workers I am compiling a list of housing-emergency resources including our nonprofit partners at Lighthouse.
While funding lasts, Lighthouse has FEMA money for up to one month of assistance for rent and utilities. Lighthouse also has CDBG funds for workers living in Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Southfield. For families facing an imminent risk of homelessness, Lighthouse has rapid-rehousing dollars for qualifying families through HUD.
To contact Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner for a free 1-on-1 expert financial counseling session, call 248-858-0611 or email certified counselor Redo Nafso nafsor@oakgov.com.
To contact Lighthouse to inquire about housing assistance, call an office near you. Pontiac 248-920-6000. Lathrup Village 248-920-6000 x5500. Clarkston 248-920-6000 x4403. https://lighthousemi.org/
With the UAW workers, we will rise to meet the new challenges of the day. For more information, workers should contact Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner by calling 248-858-0611, visiting www.oakgov.com/treasurer, or emailing Reda Nafso nafsor@oakgov.com.