Megan Neeley
Herald Correspondent
As of this February, EightCAP, Inc. has helped Mid-Michigan families weather crises, strengthen opportunities and work toward long-term stability for six decades.
Founded on Feb. 17, 1966, , local leaders and residents created the organization to fight poverty at the community level and ensure people had access to the resources needed to become self-sufficient.
What began as a small, locally driven effort now spans Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella and Montcalm counties, with programs ranging from early childhood education to housing assistance and services for veterans and older adults.
“For 60 years, EightCAP’s work has been rooted in relationships,” said Lori Johnson, president of EightCAP. “This anniversary is about more than looking back– it’s about honoring the people, families, staff, volunteers and partners who have been part of our journey.”
Today, the agency continues to balance immediate help with long-term solutions.
Across its service area, 613 individuals received more than $1.27 million in emergency assistance aimed at preventing homelessness or helping families quickly regain stable housing. EightCAP also responded to 6,521 housing hotline calls and works with nearly 300 community partners, including landlords and utility providers.
Through Supportive Services for Veteran Families, the agency helped 59 veterans secure or maintain housing, providing more than $60,000 in assistance.
Early childhood programs remain a cornerstone of the mission. Through Head Start and Early Head Start, EightCAP supports children from birth to age 5 while also working with parents.
Across Montcalm County and several Ionia County communities, those programs serve 426 children and 384 families through 22 classrooms and nine home visitors. Agency officials say access to reliable child care helps parents maintain employment while children gain skills in literacy, math and social-emotional development.
“Our early childhood programs open doors not only for children, but for entire families,” said Amy O’Brien. “When parents know their children are safe and learning, they are better able to work, pursue education and plan for the future.”
In Gratiot County, residents benefit from many of the same services, including Head Start classrooms in Alma, Ithaca and St. Louis, as well as housing programs, diaper distribution and utility assistance.
A recent housing participant illustrates how quickly support can change a trajectory. A 27-year-old mother who relocated to Michigan after fleeing domestic violence secured an apartment within her first week in EightCAP’s housing program.
She is now receiving rental assistance, pursuing her high school diploma and has obtained part-time work along with a job offer at Soaring Eagle Waterpark. She and her daughter also participate in Early Head Start home visiting.
EightCAP’s weatherization work is also producing measurable outcomes for local residents living on fixed incomes.
Karen Flickinger of Gratiot County saw major upgrades to her home, including insulation, air sealing and replacement of aging mechanical systems. The improvements are expected to save her an estimated $50.69 per month.
“I cannot stress enough how EightCAP changed my life,” Flickinger said. “I should be able to stay in my home comfortably for the remainder of my life.”
As the organization enters its seventh decade, leaders say the goal remains the same as it was in 1966: listen to community needs, remove barriers and help families build lasting self-sufficiency.
“This anniversary is about the trust communities have placed in us,” Johnson said. “We’re proud of where we’ve been, but we’re equally focused on the work still ahead.”