Office of the Mayor

Mayor's Commission for
Person's with Disabilities

(706) 653-4492           TTY phone: (706) 225-3629


GVRA - G.R.O.W. Getting Ready for Opportunities in Work

This is a GVRA 1-week summer program for high school students that have an IEP or 504 plan at school and have not graduated yet. For more information, parents can call the Georgia Vocational Rehab office in Columbus and ask for Tokeyah Jones (404)308-3476. You can also contact the Goodwill Training Center at (762) 208-4381 and ask for Andres Velez.

More information »

Sessions

  • Session: June 2023

All sessions are Monday to Friday from 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM, Lunch is from 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

Taxes Flyer 2022

Goodwill Free Tax Service

Taxes start on January 31st, to make an appointment call 1-833-755-2179

Certified Guest Service Professional Program (CGSP)

For more information call the Goodwill Training Center (762) 208-4381 or contact Andres Velez: avelez@gwisr.org

Read about the program »


Columbus Community Resources COVID-19

 

General Information

United Way supports 211, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Locally, if you are in need of assistance during this time, you can call 211, or text your zip code to 898-211 or visit www.211uwcv.org.

Coronavirus Information

The state of Georgia has a main hotline for any concerns about the virus 1-844-442-2681.
The Health Department has an information line. You can leave a message and the health department will respond within 24 hours 1-855-962-0955, or you may view information on the website www.dph.georgia.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/

 

Coronavirus Testing

Columbus

Because our area is limited in test kits, not everyone will be tested. The Health Dept has a screening hotline 706-321-6300 or 1-855-962-0955. They will determine if you meet the criteria to be tested and will refer you for testing at either the Health Department drive thru testing or Mercy Med. People cannot go to Mercy Med or Piedmont Hospital to get tested; they must be screened first.

Cascade Hills/Mercy Med

The testing site, located at Cascade Hills Church will operate Friday April 3 & Saturday April 4 from 9-6, Sunday April 5 from 1-6, and Monday April 6 from 9 – 6 or until supplies are depleted.

Phenix City

Alabama Health Dept hotline is 1-888-264-2256. They are requesting that people call the hotline first and then they will be referred to a testing site if symptomatic. You can also go online for information at adph.org.

Veterans/Active Duty/Dependents

Call the nurse advice line for screening at Ft Benning Covid19 Hotline 762-408-2819.
Mon-Fri, 0900-1630

Food


Enrichment Services Drive - thru food pick-up, Saturday, April 18th at Cascade Hills.

ST. Anne’s Community Outreach - Next food distribution will be April 11 from 9am to 11am.

SNAP is not opened to offer services face-to-face - For Georgia, individuals should apply online at https://gateway.ga.gov/access/ as in person options are closed for now. They can also call directly at Customer Contact Center Toll-Free: (877) 423-4746.

Grocery Delivery/Pick-up Options (require phone/app/internet) *order delivery may take a few days and has a fee

Instacart https://www.instacart.com/ Will deliver, with a fee, from the following stores: Publix, Aldi, CVS, Sam’s Club, Petco, The Fresh Market, Target

Wal-Mart Grocery Pick-up is free/Delivery with charge

Sam’s Club for those seniors and at-risk will take your list and shop for you during special hours Tuesday and Thursday 7:00-9:00

Feeding Program for School Children

Muscogee County School District will extend free “grab and go” meal services for students, 0 to 18 years old, during the system-wide closure for the remainder of the school year. Here are the sites and times:
Student meals will be provided each of those days, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the following schools:

      • Baker Middle School
      • Carver High School
      • J.D. Davis Elementary School
      • Dawson Elementary School
      • Double Churches Middle School
      • Fox Elementary School
      • Key Elementary School
      • Spencer High School
      • Jordan High,
      • Midland Academy
      • Hannan School


Buses also will deliver meals during that time period at the following sites:

      • Elizabeth Canty Apartments
      • Chase Homes
      • Eagle Trace Apartments
      • Jordan Vocational High School
      • Kendrick High School (front of school area)
      • Midland Academy
      • Warren Williams Apartments
      • Whisperwood Apartments
      • Wilson Apartments
         

Transportation


Metra Buses and Dial-a-Ride
Metra is still running the same routes and times for their buses. They are sanitizing the buses and asking people to practice social distancing on the bus.

Rent/Utilities

GA Power
GA Power will not do any residential disconnections for the next 30 days. Ages 65 and older can receive up to $24 a month off their bill. Be aware of any fraudulent calls where someone is demanding payment over the phone; this is not GA Power.

Columbus Water Works
Service disconnections will be suspended until April 13th.

St. Anne Community Outreach
The March waiting list for help is full, but the rental assistance line will re-open at 11 a.m. April 21 (706-568-1592).

Hope Harbour
This program provides resources and housing for those experiencing domestic violence. They expect an increase in domestic violence during this time. Their hotline is 706-324-3850.

Safe House SafeHouse Ministries at 2101 Hamilton Road has opened an emergency shelter.
The emergency shelter will operate daily from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is accepting anyone in need of shelter regardless of their situation. No questions will be asked and no one refused.
Contact Neil Richardson, executive director of SafeHouse Ministries, at 706-575-1483 for more information.

New Horizons is still assisting the disabled homeless population (706) 596-5500 *ask for Virginia

Enrichment Services – Priority for this month’s utility assistance is given to the elderly population.

Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry
The ministry is closed to the public until further notice, but will continue to offer Direct Service assistance through telephone interviews, focusing on rent and mortgage assistance. Leave your name and contact information at 706-327-2836 to schedule an appointment.

Salvation Army
The Columbus Salvation Army offers rent and utility payment assistance. Call 706-327-0275 for more information.
 

SafeHouse
SafeHouse Ministries at 2101 Hamilton Road has opened an emergency shelter.
The emergency shelter will operate daily from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is accepting anyone in need of shelter regardless of their situation. No questions will be asked and no one refused.
Contact Neil Richardson, executive director of SafeHouse Ministries, at 706-575-1483 for more information.

Prescriptions

CVS is now offering delivery.

Nugent Pharmacy Woodruff Farm Shopping Center is offering delivery.

Veterans/Active Duty may opt to have prescriptions temporarily routed to Walgreens (currently accepting Tricare) by calling your nearest Walgreens and asking the pharmacy to obtain your prescriptions from Martin Army Community Hospital. Please note: some medicines will have co-pays.

Note: You may call your primary care physician and request refills to stock up

Internet/Wi-Fi Options

Charter/Spectrum is offering 60 days free wifi for all K-12 students (844) 488-8395

Comcast--Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: As announced yesterday, it’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they apply by April 30, 2020. After promotion, regular rates apply. https://www.internetessentials.com/apply

Find Georgia public wi-fi at the link below:
https://broadband.georgia.gov/georgia-internet-access-covid-19-update


Other

Goodwill Career Center:
Phone: 706-256-1837
Remotely processing taxes at https://www.goodwillsr.org/vita
 

Access 2 Independence—by phone at (706) 405-2393 or email info@access2independence.com
 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection Hotline
Offers resources for seniors and those who have disabilities.
1-800-615-4379
(706) 256-2900
 

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is not open to the public but they may be able to assist clients that are currently receiving employment services (706) 649-7400
 

Small Business Owners:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
 

Unemployment:
https://dol.georgia.gov/regular-unemployment-insurance-ui
 

Georgia Health Department:
Website: www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestCentralHealthDistrictGA


Mission

The Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities (MCPD) is a liaison between the Columbus Consolidated Government and the estimated 30,000 plus people with disabilities in our community. The mission of the MCPD is to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities with in Muscogee County.

The MCPD advocates in general for the right to self-determination and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The general purpose of the MCPD is:

  • To identify employment barriers for persons with disabilities.
  • Promote employment opportunities by raising awareness of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities
  • Educate the public, government agencies, and businesses about issues, needs, and rights of individuals with disabilities
  • Assist in identifying and reducing barriers to services and resources and encouraging ADA compliance
  • Collaborate with state and national agencies to facilitate services to individuals with disabilities

This commission's success has made it a model for organizations throughout Georgia and Alabama. Our goals are to conceive and conduct programs and projects that will meet the needs of people with disabilities and promote enhancement of their quality of life.

The commission seeks to serve all persons with disabilities, including those with:

  • AIDS
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Cardiopulmonary Disease
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Diabetes
  • Head Injury
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Kidney/Liver Disease
  • Mental/Emotional Illness
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Severe Burns
  • Speech Impairment
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment

* Please note the above list is not an exhaustive list.

Executive Committee Schedule for 2022

The Executive Committee meets once a month. These meetings are open meetings. Everyone is welcome.

Currently, the committee is using teleconferencing software to conduct meetings. To participate, please send an email to MCPD@columbusga.org prior to the meeting date and the teleconference link and login information will be provided.

  • February 15th
  • March 15th
  • April 19st
  • May 17th
  • June 21th
  • July 19th
  • August 16th
  • September 20th
  • October 18th
  • November 15th

* Meeting dates are subject to change.

All MCPD Meetings will be held the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Unless otherwise notified, all meetings are held from 12:00 PM (noon) to 1:00 PM at the Goodwill Education and Training Center (address and room location are below).

Goodwill Education and Training Center
2601 Cross Country Dr
Building B
Room 124

Here's How You Can Help

VOLUNTEER - Volunteers are needed to help plan, promote and participate in projects and programs designed to meet the ever changing needs of people with disabilities.

GIVE - Funds are needed for projects and events the committee sponsors for persons with disabilities, their families and supporters.

JOIN - The Mayor's Commission needs people who will dedicate time and energy to this important cause. If you wish to become an active member, call the office at (706) 653-4492.

COMMUNICATE - Your input--ideas and suggestions--can help the commission be more effective. If you have a disability, or if you are a family member or friend of a person with a disability, the Mayor's Commission needs to hear from you. It's a way you can help us to help you.

METRA

  According to the Columbus METRA Transit System (METRA), nearly 30% of the customers riding METRA have some form of disability. METRA also transported more than 1.1 million customers in FY2015 on its fixed Route and Para-transit buses combined. Call William (Bill) Jenkins at Metra to get an update on this information

Fire and Emergency Medical Services 

    The Columbus Fire Department is interested in supplying ADA (blinking) smoke alarms for anyone who is hard of hearing or deaf. The smoke alarms will be free of charge. Recipients will have to show proof of residency to receive an alarm. This could be a water bill, cable bill, or an I.D. Card that reflects the address. If you would like to be added to the receiving list, please call the MCPD @ (706) 653-4492, or email MCPD@columbusga.org.