South County Community Services (SCCS) will relocate its operations to 105 S. Kalamazoo Street, as of September 2, 2014, according to Danna Downing, agency director. The new location is part of the Main Street Properties site at the corner of Kalamazoo and Prairie streets. The new front entrance to SCCS is on the east side of the complex where customers park to visit neighboring businesses, including: Vicksburg Optometry, Hungry Howie’s, Subway, Generous Hands and the Vicksburg Laundry Center.
The move will afford SCCS clients better access, easier parking, and increased safety. In addition, relocating will reduce operational costs by about half, and, according to the SCCS board, increase the agency’s ability to serve more clients and create new programs.
For those in the community who rely on the Vicksburg Community Center for a meeting location or other community programs, the Village of Vicksburg (the current owner of the building) will be taking over the day-to-day operations for the foreseeable future. The building schedule is not expected to change and rooms will still be available for rental by calling 269-649-1919.
Speaking for the SCCS Board, President Lorna Landrum stated, “We have a long history with this beautiful historic building, but we are excited about the benefits of a barrier-free building that is so much more cost effective to manage. The new location will only enhance our partnerships in the community as we move forward.”
Many in the community have already volunteered to assist with the transition and more volunteers are welcome, according to Downing. “We are looking to streamline our furnishings at little or no cost, preferring to use resources for programming,” she added. Look for an invitation to participate in the SCCS opening events to be held in early September. For further information, call 269-649-2901.
SCCS Appreciates Community Support
- Family Fare honored SCCS with recognition and $250 in gift cards at its recent grand re-opening. Family Fare is a SCCS partner in preparing holiday food boxes and in ongoing donations to the SCCS Pantry.
- The Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Fetzer Institute are new funders of Wednesday Winners, the SCCS program created to support adults with disabilities.
- Vicksburg United Methodist Church recently agreed to host the Wednesday Winners program at the church, an ideal location for participants.
- SCCS received a $10,000 allocation from Vicksburg United Way, which will be used to develop a new community outreach program.
- Thanks to the Meijer SIMPLY GIVING Program, SCCS receives over $5,000 annually in Meijer gift cards. Landrum thanked everyone who purchases a $10 card and Meijer, who will match community dollars two to one ($20) during its seasonal Double Up Days. The next round of Double Up Days runs from September 4-6. These monies will buy meat and other grocery items not available from Loaves & Fishes, for the SCCS Pantry.