Services We Provide
Each year, Allen Community Outreach helps thousands of men, women and children facing financial crisis avoid hunger and homelessness through Income Support, including financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities; food and clothing assistance through our Food Pantry and Resale Shops; and assistance with medical visits and tests, prescriptions, referrals for professional counseling and other critical needs. In addition, ACO offers Education and Employment Services that include GED preparatory classes, financial coaching, and workforce training.
If you need help, please complete the following application or call (972) 727-9131.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry provides food assistance for individuals and families struggling with food security. Once you have been approved to receive food assistance, you will schedule a time to shop for food, household and hygiene items of your choice up to a weight limit based on the number of people in your household. If you would like to apply for food services from our Pantry, please click here to fill out the application or call (972) 727-9131.
Emergency Food Supplies
We keep a limited number of basic food supplies in our main office for those in extreme need. If you are in need of basic food supplies NOW, please click here to complete the application or call our office at 972-727-9131.
Housing and Utility Financial Assistance
Assistance with rent and mortgage is provided for persons who qualify. We also facilitate utility assistance for customers of TXU Energy and CoServ. If you need emergency shelter, we can provide you with a referral. For these types of help, please click here to complete this application or call (972) 727-9131 with questions.
Education, Financial Coaching & Employment Services
In addition to Income Support, ACO provides Education and Employment Services to help individuals further their education, start a career, improve employment qualifications, and/or work toward financial goals.
EDUCATION SERVICES INCLUDE:
GED Preparatory Classes
- Traditional classroom or self-guided semi-independent setting
- Academic Support/Tutoring
- Case Management/Coaching
- GED Testing Fee Income Support
Who Can Enroll?
Collin County residents or persons living in homelessness
- Without a high school diploma
- Not currently enrolled in a public, private, home, online or charter high school
- If 17 years old or younger, who HAVE Texas Education Agency approval to enroll in a GED preparatory class
Higher Education Assistance
- Financial Aid Application Assistance
- Scholarship Application Assistance
- Professional Certification Application Assistance
Who Can Apply?
Collin County residents 18 years and older or persons living in homelessness
- Who have a high school education or partial college hours or an Associate’s Degree
- Who need assistance obtaining/renewing a certification
FINANCIAL COACHING INCLUDES:
- One-on-One budgeting
- Financial Education and support aimed to increase savings and manage debt
- Credit building
Who Can Enroll?
Collin County residents 18 years and older or persons living in homelessness
Inquiries about enrollment, please contact Michael Donahue, Director of Education Services 972-727-9131
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Resume Revision
- Interview Skills Coaching
- Employment Referrals
- Application Assistance
Who Can Apply?
Collin County residents 18 years and older or persons living in homelessness
Click here to fill out an application to apply for Employment Assistance.
What Documents do I need to Provide?
Please bring ONE of the following to prove identity:
Driver’s license
State identification
School identification
Shelter identification
Household bill in your name or
Social Security card or number (You do not need a Social Security card or a social security number to enroll in ACO’s GED program.)
Please bring ONE of the following to prove residency:
Current lease agreement
Mortgage statement or
Letter from shelter, family or friend with whom you live, if homeless
Please bring ONE of the following to prove household income:
Paycheck stub within the last 30 days
SNAP benefits letter or
Social Security award letter
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
Click here for an application or call (972) 727-9131 to schedule an office appointment with Education and Employment Services.
Job Listings:
Please indicate on your application that you were made aware of this job opportunity through ACO Employment & Education.
Please indicate on your application that you were made aware of this job opportunity through ACO Employment & Education.
Health Assistance
Financial assistance for physician and specialist visits, prescriptions, lab work, radiology and other medical tests is available for individuals who qualify. Please click here to fill out an application.
Kids Summer Food and Back to School Programs
Our Food Pantry also offers families with children enrolled in school and participating in the free or reduced lunch program summer food assistance through our Kids Summer Food program. These same families can also sign up to participate in the Back to School Bash and receive new school supplies and backpacks for their children enrolled in school.
If you are a current client of ACO, you can register for the Kids Summer Food and/or the Back to School Bash programs in person on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. starting on April 23rd through July 11th.
If you are not our client, but you are a parent or a guardian of a student enrolled in school participating in the free or reduced lunch program, and you would like assistance with food and school supplies, please click here to complete the application and call (972) 727-9131. to schedule an appointment.
New backpacks and school supplies are donated by our caring community members through our Fill the Bus Program held each year in early August.