The Mission of the Assistance Center is to identify & provide material assistance in order to respond to people in crisis. The Assistance Center also provides appropriate information and referrals to agencies across Collin County.

Description:
The Assistance Center of Collin County is the primary contact point for all Collin County residents who need social services. This year ACCC will provide support to over 25,000 people in Collin County. We will connect people to over 500 Human Services agencies in Collin County.
By dialing our number or simply dialing 2-1-1, people in Collin County are connected to the ACCC office. Our volunteer specialists and staff inform them of the resources that are available to fill their needs. Through the ACCC interview process and using our interactive database programs, we guide them to agencies that can best provide them with support. We then link them to the proper agencies. ACCC provides this service to all 615,200 residents of Collin County.
In many cases ACCC is the organization that can best provide the direct support needed by a caller. Within the geographic area of the Plano Independent School District, ACCC is able to provide direct support to 301,000 people, over 49% of the county population. Through funding from the United Way, the Congressional Emergency Food and Shelter program, the TXU Electric Aid, and City of Plano contributions, ACCC directly helps defray expenses for citizens with valid needs.

History:
In 1977, Far-sighted citizens of Plano, including the future State Senator, Florence Shapiro, formed the Center's first Board of Directors. Initially called the Information & Referral Center of Collin County, the Center was established as a not-for-profit organization that "Informs, Guides, Directs and Links people to appropriate human service resources".

ACCC addresses medical/dental needs, employment/job training, adoption, arts organizations, volunteer opportunities, housing, food, clothing utilities assistance and other services. In the year 2000 the Center received its current name in recognition of the broad range of assistance that it provides.
ACCC is the primary contact point for all Collin County residents who need social services.

The Center has had 4 locations in its 28 year history. 1111 Avenue H, in the historic Douglas community of Plano, 2416 Park in the Park Mall Shopping Center, 1569 Avenue K in Plano and the current location at 900 18th Street in Plano. The current location provides central access for clients. ACCC is in the process of rapidly paying off its remaining debt on its building. Ownership of the building will insure a permanent home for the center with good facilities for support of our clients.

ACCC currently has 27 volunteers who assist clients. On average, the volunteers have over 12 years experience with the Center. Each volunteer works a 3.5 hour shift one day each week, 52 weeks a year. They access our data base of resource organizations and client history information to assist the clients with their needs.

With the continuing work by our volunteers and staff, and with the continuing support of our individual and civic donors, we will be here to meet the increasing demand for assistance in our area. Economic and Demographic studies indicate that the growth of population, the negative changes in income levels of our population and the continuing influx of immigrants into our area will only increase the need for the services of the Assistance Center. We are working to be here to help in the future, as we have done for the past 30 years.

Contact person: Rebecca Clive, Program Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (972) 422-1855

Address:

900 18th Street Plano, TX 75074 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.assistancecenter.org

Directions:

From Highway 75, turn East on 15th Street in Plano. Proceed 4 blocks to the intersection of 15th and Ave. "H". Turn left (North) on Ave "H". Proceed 3 blocks North to the intersection of "H" and 18th street. The Assistance. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: We are located 1 block North and two blocks West of the Plano 15th street DART rail station.,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: DART bus route 760 passes our office. , 1 minute minute walk