Guardian Angel Center prepares to open
Guardian Angel Center, Inc. is preparing to open for “Back to School”. The schedule is as is has been – we open the LAST Tuesday in July – which will be Tuesday, July 26, 2022! We open at 10 a.m. and clients must register by 3:30 p.m. After that Guardian Angel Center (GAC) will be open EACH Tuesday in August until school opens in St. Marys. That means that we will be open on August 2nd, 9th,16th, and 23rd. Hours are the same each week: Open at 10 a.m. and clients must register by 3:30 p.m. Guardian Angel Center is located at 364 Main Street in Kersey, PA. If you have questions you may leave a message at (814) 885-6192!
What are the qualifications to be a client at Guardian Angel?
• GAC serves “financially eligible” infants, toddlers, children and young people from birth through high school.
How do I find out if my child (children) is/ are financially eligible?
• The most common financial qualifier is “food stamps” - sometimes referred to as EBT card. If your family receives “food stamps” you need to provide the following information: Your EBT card and photo identification and a grocery store receipt from a purchase when you used the card.
What else do I need to bring?: The names (first & last) of each child living in your household, birthdate of each child, address of your residence and two (2) working phone numbers and lastly, financial eligibility – as described above.
Do I need to bring my children?
• We would encourage you not to bring pre-school youngsters when you come for “Back to School” in July and/or August. It would be much more pleasant for you to bring them in September when your older children are in school. The opening days are to make certain that school age children have their clothing needs for “Back to School”. You will be able to get clothing without having your children present. However, there will not be any “exchanges” if the items do not fit. We do have fitting rooms.
Is it possible for me to get clothing for other children/families who cannot come in person?
• The first time (in a school year) the parent (responsible adult) must come to register at the Guardian Angel Center. After that has been accomplished, a parent (or responsible adult) may provide a signed note with a request that some other relative/person will be permitted to select clothing items for other children. The note should include the documentation (food stamp) and a grocery store receipt. Additional information about the children is always helpful – such as sizes – color preferences, etc.
What if I have a question about some aspect of Guardian Angel Center?
• You should call the Guardian Angel phone number: (814) 885-6192 and leave a message. A volunteer will call you back. This would include questions about financial eligibility. There are a number of ways to qualify which can be explained in a phone call. Guardian Angel Center is always anxious to assist in EMERGENCY situations!
What about shoes? How do you fit for shoes?
• The GAC has been providing “vouchers” forshoes. These vouchers are redeemable at Shoe Sensations. The maximum value of the shoe voucher is $30. The family is responsible for any cost above the $30. The vouchers must be redeemed in person and the child, and the parent MUST be present. Vouchers will NOT be replaced if they should be lost and/or misplaced. These vouchers also have an expiration date.
How often can I come to Guardian Angel Center?
• Guardian Angel is open the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of most months. We open the last Tuesday in July and are open every Tuesday in August until school begins in the St. Marys Area School District. After that, Guardian Angel is open the 1st and 3rd Tuesday in each month for the remainder of the calendar year – that is September, October, November and December.
• We are NOT open in January and February but reopen for the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in March, April and May. We are closed in June. (Guardian Angel Center opens on July 26, 2022.) A client may come ONCE per month but only a total of FIVE times per school year.
What are the hours when Guardian Angel Center is open?
• Guardian Angel opens at 10 a.m. You must be signed in by 3:30 p.m. at the latest!
What do you have for young clients – babies and toddlers?
• We have a large inventory of “gentlyused” items for those too young to attend school. We provide a diaper bag with everything a new mother would need to bring her baby home from the hospital. We have “gently-used” strollers and some cribs in a variety of sizes. We also have a limited supply of disposable diapers. These are available to clients who qualify for Food Stamps and for the WIC program.
What if I really need assistance and Guardian Angel is closed?
• We do meet Emergency needs – such as a fire or a sudden change in “child responsibility”. It is very helpful in these situations if you reach out to your social service agency and ask them to make the Guardian Angel contact. You can ALWAYS leave a message on the GAC phone line at (814) 885-6192. A volunteer will call you back – usually in less than 24 hours!