Basic Needs Resources

Bluegrass Community Action Partnership:  Offers a variety of programs that benefit the residents of Jessamine County including Goodwill Voucher Program, low-income heating assistance and medication assistance. 
Located at 302 Southview Drive in Nicholasville.  859-885-3512.  
Link: Blue Grass Community Action 

Housing Authority of Nicholasville:  Manages 54 units where rent is based on income. Currently there is a waiting list of up to a year. They do not have emergency housing.  Call 859-885-4324 for more information.
Link: Jessamine Housing Authority

 Jessamine County Salvation Army:   Helps residents of Jessamine County with basic needs including food, rent, utility bill, water bill, and the cost of non-narcotic medication.  Free clothing also available.  Tuesday through Thursday, 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday and Friday are by appointment only. Best to apply in person.  Located at 212 Edgewood Drive in Nicholasville.  859-881-4241.

Link: Jessamine County Service Center

Jessamine County Food Pantry:  Wilmore residents need to use Wilmore/High Bridge Food Pantry for food.  The Jessamine County Food Pantry helps provide supplemental food to income challenged families.  In order to receive food from the pantry you must live in Jessamine County, only participate in the program once a month, and have a monthly income that does not exceed the limits for your household size.  The food pantry is open every Tuesday from noon to 4 PM and every Thursday from 2 PM to 6 PM..  Weekly fresh produce/baked goods available Monday, 10 AM to 11:30 AM.  Have a picture ID and proof of residence (water bill, gas bill, lease, etc.). They will try to assist in emergencies if people cannot make those times, but cannot guarantee availability
Link: Home (jcfoodpantry.org) 

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8):  The Kentucky Housing Corporation website gives current information on the status of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and possible website scams being run on the internet.  For more information click on the link below.

Link: KY Housing 

Kynect Benefits: (online portal for Public Assistance) Allows Kentucky’s families to easily access public assistance benefits and information 24/7 through an online application and account located at kynect.ky.gov/benefits. Including SNAP, KTAP, and Medicaid assistance programs.

Link: Kynect Benefits 

K-TAP:  Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program.  For assistance with K-TAP call 502-564-3440, go online at  kynect.ky.gov/benefits or go to the local office of Community Based Services in Nicholasville located at 111 Edgewood Plaza. 

Link:  Kynect Benefits 

SNAP Benefits: (Formerly Food Stamps) For benefit information call 855-306-8959, go online at kynect.ky.gov/benefits, or go to the local office of Community Based Services in Nicholasville located at 111 Edgewood Plaza.

Link: Kynect Benefits 

Wilmore/High Bridge Community Service Center:  A “needs assistance” program for residents of Wilmore and High Bridge struggling with basic needs.  It also houses “The Thrift Shop” which has clothes, household items, and toys.  Located in the basement of the Wilmore United Methodist Church.  209 East Main Street.  Open Monday 9 AM to 3 PM,  Wednesday and Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM,  and Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM.  Food Distribution Ministry is on Friday 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM.  Need picture ID and proof of income.  For more information, call 858-2819.  

Link: Community Service Center 

Jessamine County Homeless Shelter: Located at 218 East Maple Street in Nicholasville.   Call 859-813-0233 for more information. 

Jessamine County Homeless Liaison: Contact Shainey Marcus @ 859-490-0817 for more information.

Jessamine County Food Service:  Jessamine County Food Service provides food resources all year long for families.  During the summer, meals are available at different county locations, free to all children 18 years and younger.  During the school year, JC Food Service provides breakfast and lunch free to all students who attend school in the district and keeps families informed about free meals during school breaks.  Jessamine County Food Service has a Facebook page and a web page to help keep families informed of all their services.   
Link: Food Service

Educational Resources

Adult Education:  Offering free GED preparation with instruction in areas of needed improvement such as math and reading.  Jessamine County Adult Education also offers English as a Second Language and career counseling with connections to job training and employment opportunities.  Call 859-887-9052 for more information.
Link: Jessamine County Adult Education

Early Childhood Resources

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):  Provide access to quality child care that allows parents to work, attend education and training programs and /or participate in the Kentucky Temporary Assistance Program. Call 1-855-306-8959 for more information or click on link below.

Link: Kynect Benefits 

Child Care Resources and Referral: Provides a child care search program to parents looking for a child care facility in their community.
Call  1-855-306-8959 for more information.

First Steps:  An early intervention that serves children from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or a particular medical condition.  If you have concerns about your baby. Call 859-271-9448 for more information.

Health Access Nurturing Development Services (Hands):  Home visitation program to assist parents at critical development points during their child’s first years of life.  Program through the Jessamine County Health Department, located at 210 East Walnut in Nicholasville. Call 859-885-4149, ext. 1031 for more information.
Link: Jessamine Health

Women Infants and Children (WIC):  Provides nutrition education and food vouchers to women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have given birth in the last six months and to children ages’ birth to 5.  Program through the Jessamine County Health Department, located at 210 East Walnut in Nicholasville.  Call 859-885-4149 for more information.
Link: Jessamine Health

Before and After School Care

JELV After School Program:  Offers after school care for kindergarten students at the JELV.  Also provides child care during school breaks and on snow days.   

Jessamine County also provides a summer program. 
For more information contact by email: heidi.klug@jessamine.kyschools.us.

Link: After School Program

Preschools

Jessamine County Head Start: Head Start is a national program for low- income families that promotes school readiness for preschool children.  A special focus is placed on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. 
Call 859-858-2585 for more information.
Link: BGCAP - Head Start 

Jessamine Early Learning Village State Funded Preschool: Preschool program for children ages 3 and 4.  Eligibility determined by state guidelines.  Call 859-887-5358 for more information.
Link: JELV Preschool  

Health Resources

Bluegrass Community Health Center:  Services include sick visits for adults and children, baby health, school physicals and immunizations, counseling for individuals and families, and more.  They have medical and clerical staff that speak Spanish.  Accept Medicare, Medicaid, and several other private insurances.  Uninsured patients may be eligible to receive a discount based on household income. Located in Lexington at 1306 Versailles Road, Suite 120 and 151 N. Eagle Creek Drive, Suite 220.  Call 859-259-2635 to schedule an appointment.
Link: Better Health. Better Life. 

Jessamine County Health Department: Provides childhood and adult immunizations, prenatal services, physical exams for public schools, well child exams, nutritional services and more. Located at 210 East Walnut in Nicholasville.  Call 859-885-4149 for more information.
Link: Jessamine Health

The Refuge Medical Clinic: A clinic that offers free medical and dental care (not taking new dental patients at this time) to the uninsured and underinsured of Jessamine County.  Clinic patients must be a resident of Jessamine County, uninsured or underinsured, and meet federal poverty guidelines.  Located after hours at the Health Department on 210 East Walnut.
Call 859-225-4325 for an appointment. No walk in patients.
Link: The Refuge Clinic 

Health Point:  School based health clinics.  Uninsured patients billed $23 per a visit.  Located at JELV, RED, NES, BES, EJMS and WJMS.  Call school for days and times clinic is open.  

Link:  School Based Health Clinics 

Summer Activities

Jessamine County Public Library:  The library leads weekly story times and many other activities for the whole family all year long.  Call 885-3523 for more information or click on link below. 

Link:  JCPL

Wilmore Parks and Recreation: Camps offered June and July for ages 5 to 13.  Call 859-338-2208 for more information or email Director Amy Fitch at wilmoreparks@gamil.com

Additional Resources

New Vista:  Offers counseling in the following areas:  general mental health, alcohol and drug, and crisis intervention. 
Call 885-6315 for more information.  Crisis line is also available at 1-800-928-8000.
Link: Mental Health & Substance Use Services - New Vista 

United Way 2-1-1:  Call 2-1-1 and speak to a trained employee regarding available community resources. 
This service is available 24 hours a day.
Link: United Way 

Jessamine County Extension Office:  Provides programs and services in the area of 4H and Youth Development,
Ag and Natural Resources, and Family Consumer Sciences. 
For more information, call 885-4811
Link: jessamine.ca.uky.edu.

Jessamine County Fire Department:  To have a free car seat inspections go to any local fire department
in Jessamine County. Call 885-5505 for more information.

Jessamine County Victims Advocacy Program:  Assists victims of violent crimes including domestic violence,
sexual abuse, physical assault, etc. by making them aware of their legal rights and connecting them with resources.  
Call Taunya Northup-Mendenhall at 859-885-9112 or come to 113 Court Row for assistance.

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass: Low-income legal assistance.  Phone Number: 859-431-8200.
Link:  Legal Aid of the Bluegrass 

Green House 17:  Domestic Violence Program for men and women. 
Confidential Crisis Line available 24 Hours a day at 1-800-544-2022.
Link: GreenHouse17

Jessamine County Attorney’s Office Division of Child Support:  Child support enforcement.  Call 859-881-5584 for more information.

Bluegrass Care Navigators:  (Formerly known as Hospice of the Bluegrass) Support groups, grief education, counseling, bereavement camps for children and more.  Call 855-492-0812 for more information.
Link: Bluegrass Care Navigators 

Kentucky Kinship Support Hotline: The hotline was established to assist relative caregivers in accessing services and problem solving issues and concerns.  Call 877-565-5608.  For resources available click on link below. 

Link:  KY Kindship Care Coalition.

Free Clothing

Blue Grass Community Action
302 Southview Drive, Nicholasville: 859-885-3512.  BGCA collaborates with Goodwill to provide vouchers to families in need. 
Contact BGCA for more information. 
Link: Blue Grass Community Action 

Salvation Army
212 Edgewood Drive, Nicholasville: 881-4241.  Free clothing is available.  Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm.
Link: Jessamine County Service Center - Salvation Army Central Kentucky Area 

Southland Christian Church
Clothing bank is open the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.  Closed on 5th Wednesdays, the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the week between Christmas and New Years. Clothing requests are available on our website Sunday mornings beginning at 6 am.  However, because it is a Google form, Southland does not control the time it opens and it may open as early as 5:30 am.  The application is found on our main web page in the top right hand corner under Next Steps or the bottom right hand corner under Need Help?  They take the first 15 shoppers and spots close after all the spots have been filled.  Each family is allowed to come twice a year.  Please refer to the church for more information.  

Link: Southland Christian Church