Adult Education

Hamilton County Adult Education

Kathy Smith 386.792.6611

Jefferson County Adult Education

Doris Scott 850.997.3555

Lafayette County Adult Education
386.294.3859
160 NE Hornet Drive, Mayo, FL 32066

Contact Kathy McCray or Emily Beach

Madison County Adult Education
850.973.1531
693 East Base Street, Madison, FL 32340

Contact Tracey Williams

Suwannee River Ridge Technical High School
386.362.8654
PO Box 365 | Live Oak, FL | 32064

RiverOak Technical College
386.647.4200
415 Pinewood Drive SW | Live Oak, FL | 32064

Taylor Technical Institute GED Program
850.938.2545
3233 S. Byron Butler Parkway, Perry, FL 32347

Contact Denise Barber

Child Care Assistance

Serving Hamilton, Lafayette, and Suwannee Counties

484 SW Commerce, Lake City, FL 32052

386.752.9770

Referral from CareerSource North Florida or other agency is preferred. Lengthy waiting list individuals who are not currently receiving Cash Assistance/TANF.

Early Learning Coalition of The Big Bend

Tuesday and Thursday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Walk-In Hours: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Jefferson County Health Department Building
1255 West Washington Street
Monticello, FL 32344
Phone: (850) 274-1335
Fax: (850) 922-0075

Dick Howser Center

396 E. Washington Street, Monticello, FL 32344
850.997.4736
Monday – Friday 7 am – 6 pm

Provides childcare and early intervention services for children ages 6 weeks – 3 years. Also provides outpatient therapy services, including Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy for individuals, birth – 21 years of age.
Sliding Fee Scale
Call for Appointment

Early Learning Coalition of The Big Bend

Monday and Wednesday 8:30am to 6:00pm
Walk-In Hours: Monday and Wednesday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
309 S.W. Range Avenue
Madison, FL 32340
Phone: (850) 973-2512
Fax: (850) 973-2562

Early Learning Coalition of The Big Bend

Tuesday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Walk-In Hours: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
318 N. Clark Street
Perry, FL 32347
Phone: (850) 584-5679
Fax: (850) 584-8522

Legal Assistance

Three Rivers Legal Services provides legal services to individuals in Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison and Taylor Counties

Lake City
334 NW Lake City Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055-4821
Phone: 386-752-5960
Fax: 386-752-5999
Serving: Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties

Eligibility is based on household income, size, assets and case type. Case types are limited by Three Rivers’ Board of Directors based on funding and resources.

Transportation Assistance

Suwannee Valley Transit Authority

386.362.5332 or 386.362.7433

To schedule transportation with us, you can call (386) 362-5332 or (386) 362-7433 and follow the prompts.
For calls outside of Suwannee County and from a landline, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-258-7267.
You must call three business days in advance (excluding weekends and holidays).
If you are signed up under an HMO for your health care, you must call your HMO to schedule your Medicaid transportation and request to ride with SVTA.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for trips under the Trust Fund. Call the office for more information.

Big Bend Transit

Jefferson County – 850.997.1323

Madison County – 850.973.4418

Taylor County – 850.584.5566

Food Assistance

Greenville Baptist Church Food Distribution at Healthy Start
1336 SW Grand Street, Greenville, FL 32331
850.673.1802 | Pastor Tony Hill
Every other Thursday 12:30 pm until food is gone
Open to anyone

Consolidated Christian Ministries
799 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, FL 32340
850.290.5718
2nd and 4th Mondays 10 am – 2:30 pm
Tuesday – Thursday 9 am – 12 pm

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
1391 SW 11th Street, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.362.1837
Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm
One time only emergency food assistance

First Baptist Church of Live Oak
401 W. Howard Street, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.362.1583
2nd and 4th Friday of each month, 7 am – 10 am
Live Oak Residents Only: Every 4th Friday of the month, 7 am – 9 am

Love, INC
120 Ohio Avenue North, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.364.4673
Host site for Angel Food Ministries. Anyone is eligible to participate. Contact Love, INC for menu and next distribution.

Wellborn Methodist Church
12005 CR 137, Wellborn, FL 32094
386.963.3071
Monday – Saturday 9 am – 3 pm
Photo ID and contact information are required.

First United Methodist Church of Perry
302 N. Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347
850.584.3028

The First United Methodist Church of Perry runs a free food pantry. Fresh items, canned goods, and other items are distributed as they are available.

Perry First Church of God
1915 N. US Highway 221, Perry, FL 32347
850.584.7992
Angel Food Ministries – anyone qualifies, contact for menu and next distribution date.

Salvation Army
1711 S. Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347
850.584.4874
Salvation Army will contact local police department to verify need of family.

Suwannee River Economic Council Meal Sites

BRADFORD COUNTY
Bradford Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
1210 Andrews Circle
Starke, Florida

Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
Monday thru Friday 11:30am – 1:30 pm
2229 Lake Street – Hwy 225
Lawtey, Florida

DIXIE COUNTY

Dixie County Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
314 NE 255th Street
Cross City, Florida

GILCHRIST COUNTY
Gilchrist County Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
1439 SW CR 307A
Trenton, Florida

Cruse Community Center (Bell Meal Site)
Hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
3449 NW 50th Street
Bell, Florida

Riverside Baptist Church
Hours: Tuesday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
10760 NW 5th Avenue
Branford, Florida

HAMILTON COUNTY
Hamilton Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
1509 Martin Luther King Drive SW
Jasper, Florida

LAFAYETTE COUNTY
Lafayette Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
114 SW Community Circle
Mayo, Florida

LEVY COUNTY
Chiefland Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
305 SW 1st Street
Chiefland, Florida

Christ Episcopal Church
Hours: Monday and Friday 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
4054 Hwy 24
Cedar Key, Florida

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
Hours: Wednesday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
521 NW 1st Avenue
Williston, Florida

PUTNAM COUNTY
Barry Manor
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
1000 Husson Avenue
Palatka, Florida

Sugar Mill Woods
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
570 3rd Avenue
Welaka, Florida

Walker Center (Community Room)
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
157 CR 21 South
Hawthorne, Florida

SUWANNEE COUNTY
Branford Health Department Building
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm
120 Suwannee Avenue
Branford, Florida

First Baptist Church of Dowling Park
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
11274 235th Lane
Live Oak, Florida

Suwannee Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
1171 Nobles Ferry Road, SW, Building #1
Live Oak, Florida

UNION COUNTY
Raiford Community Center
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday. 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
22848 NE 130 Terrace Hwy 21
Raiford, Florida

United Medthodist Church of Worthington Springs
Hours: Tuesday & Friday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
SW 37th Trail SR 121
Worthington Springs, Florida

Union Senior Center
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
665 SW 4th street
Lake Butler, Florida

Housing and Homeless Resources

Hamilton County Ministerial Alliance
207 Harley Street, Jasper, FL 32052
386.792.3833

Emergency homeless assistance, providing hot meals, lodging, gas, or bus ticket. Screening is conducted through the Jasper Police Department.

Capital Area Community Action Agency
1155 North Jefferson Street, Monticello, FL 32344
850.997.8231

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. We provide federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with:

  • Home energy bills
  • Energy crises
  • Weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs

LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer through programs that reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practices.

Manna House
297 SE Pine Street, Mayo, FL 32066
386.294.2150
Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Saturday 10 am – 2 pm

Food pantry and temporary emergency lodging provided. No requirements, this service is open to anyone.

Vivid Visions
PO Box 882, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.364.2100 or 800.500.1119

Vivid Visions provides food, clothing, transportation assistance, personal/legal advocacy, emotional support, individual counseling and group sessions for those who need it. Open to victims of domestic violence and their dependent children. Photo ID is required. As the shelter is located in a confidential location, victims of domestic violence must call to be referred.

Habitat for Humanity Taylor County
203 E. Drew Street, Perry, FL 32347
850.548.3838

Habitat for Humanity Columbia County
PO Box 487, Lake City, FL 32056
386.755.0014

Families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:

  • The applicant’s level of need.
  • Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
  • Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.

Suwannee River Economic Council

HAMILTON COUNTY
Client/Senior Service Center
1509 Martin Luther King Drive SW
Jasper, Florida 32052

(386) 792-1136
Senior Services – Extension 223
Client Services – Extension 225

LAFAYETTE COUNTY
Client/Senior Service Center
114 SW Community Circle
Mayo, Florida 32066

(386) 294-2202
Client/Senior Services

(800) 597-7579
Transportation toll free number

MADISON COUNTY
Client Service Center
146 SE Bunker Street
Madison, Florida 32341

(850) 973-6709
Client Services

SUWANNEE COUNTY
Client/Senior Service Center
1171 Nobles Ferry Road, NW, BLDG #1
Post Office Box 70
Live Oak, Florida 32064

(386) 362-1164
Senior Services – Extension 24

(386) 362-6079
Client Services – Extension 25

TAYLOR COUNTY
Client Service Center
1708 S. Bryon Butler Parkway
Suite B & B1
Perry, Florida 32348

(850) 584-8585
Client Services

PROGRAMS
AGING SERVICES
Aging Programs are in the following counties only:
Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee and Union County

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE/SELF SUFFICIENCY
Emergency Services are in the following counties only:
Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union County

STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (SHIP)
SHIP Services are in the following counties only:
Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Union County

TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Services are in the following counties only:
Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Union County

WEATHERIZATION
Weatherization Services are in the following counties only:
Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union County

Refuge House
Jefferson County: 850.342.3518 | 24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 850.681.2111
Madison County: 850.973.4144 | 24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 850.584.8808
Taylor County: 850.223.3555 | 24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 850.584.8804

Refuge House serves all people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, including emergency shelters, rape crisis services, counseling and therapy, transitional housing, and legal assistance. If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact Refuge House for immediate assistance.

Clothing Assistance

First Methodist Church
405 Central Avenue SW, Jasper, FL 32052
386.792.1112
Open Saturdays, call for more information.

Corinth Thrift Store
8194 US Highway 90 East, Lee, FL 32059
850.519.1619
Thursday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm

Thrift store is open to the public. Every Saturday, “Stuff a Bag” sale for $5.00, excluding jeans and marked items.

Lee First Baptist – Threads of Love
8157 Highway 90 East, Lee, FL 32059
850.973.5274
First Thursday of every month 4 pm – 7 pm

Provides clothing, household items, and furniture to needy families. Open to anyone, but individuals will be asked to provide name, address, phone number, and family size, if requesting goods.

Consolidated Christian Ministries
799 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, FL 32340
850.290.5718
Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm

Thrift store includes discounted clothing, furniture, and housewares

Suwannee Valley Rescue Mission
127 NW Escambia, Lake City, FL 32055
386.758.8438
Monday – Saturday 9 am – 3 pm

Thrift store providing discounted clothing and housewares.

Pregnancy Care Center
112 Piedmont Street, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.330.2229
Wednesday and Thursday 9 am – 3 pm

Religious organization, pro-life. Provides free pregnancy tests, baby and maternity clothing, and counseling services. Must provide verifiable contact information.

Love, INC
120 Ohio Avenue North, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.364.4673
Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm

Provides clothing, over-the-counter medicines, shelter, assistance with utility and rent payments, and emergency food assistance.

First Baptist Church of Live Oak
401 W. Howard Street, Live Oak, FL 32064
386.362.1583
First and Third Thursday of every month 8:30 am – 12 pm

Completion of registration paperwork is required.

Wellborn Methodist Church
12005 CR 137, Wellborn, FL 32094
386.963.3071
Monday – Saturday 9 am – 3 pm

Photo ID and contact information is required.

Heritage House
317 North Orange Street, Perry, FL 32347
850.584.8328
By appointment only

Provides clothing assistance for school-aged children

Counseling and Therapy

Diversified Program Services
386.752.9937
1531 SW Commercial Glen, Lake City, FL 32055
By Appointment Only
Provides anger management and substance abuse counseling

Dick Howser Center
850.997.4736
395 E. Washington Street, Monticello, FL 32344
Monday – Friday 7 am – 6 pm

Provides outpatient therapy services, including Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapy for individuals birth – 21 years of age.

Sliding fee scale, call for appointment

Newborns in Need
386.364.4932
8465 189th Place, Live Oak, FL 32060
Call for next meeting

Provides donated baby items to help assist premature and newborn babies and their families in crisis.

Mothers of Preschoolers
386.362.1583
First Baptist Church of Live Oak | 401 W. Howard Street, Live Oak, FL 32064
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month 9:30 am – 12 pm

Support group for mothers of children ages birth – 5 years old.