Ironmen Support Network

The Ironmen Support Network (ISN) is a program administered by Mancelona Public Schools that provides free supportive, education-related services and non-academic support to help overcome obstacles that may create barriers to learning for all students ages 3-20.

What Services Are Available?

Clothing and shoes for school purposes
School supplies and/or backpacks
Personal hygiene products
General funds for extracurricular activities or interests
Referrals to community agencies for housing/transitional living, food, medical, dental, optical care, and mental health

Iron Vault and Iron Vault Jr.

The Iron Vault provides new and gently used clothing, shoes, boots, winter gear, school supplies, hygiene items, and more. All items are free and shopping is open to students grades 9-12 (Iron Vault) and 5-8 (Iron Vault Jr.) during the school day. Students may visit the Iron Vault during recess and lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment. For more information, email Pami Sprague (Iron Vault Jr.) or Michelle Dingman (Iron Vault).

Who is Eligible for Services?

Any student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate overnight residence (at any time during the school year) may be eligible to receive services. Students may be found living in the following situations:

In a shelter, motel, vehicle, camper or campground
Temporarily sharing the housing of friends or family ("doubled-up") due to economic hardship
Unaccompanied youth living on their own, without a parent or guardian
Inadequate accommodations (lack of electricity, heath, plumbing, or overcrowding)
Abandoned buildings or on the street
Students who are couch surfing, staying with friends
Displaced due to natural disaster or fire

Services Available

Assistance in maintaining school stability
Assistance with enrollment in school and transfer of student records
Assistance with full participation in school (extracurricular activities and sports)
Assistance with school transportation
College admissions support (registration, FAFSA, scholarships, etc.)
Clothing for school purposes
Free school breakfast and lunch
Liaison between family and school personnel
Personal hygiene products
Referrals to community agencies
School supplies and backpacks

If you live in any of the following situations, you may be eligible for rights and services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

In a shelter or on the street
In a motel or campground
In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station
Couch surfing/doubled up with others due to loss of housing, foreclosure, eviction, or economic hardship
Inadequate living accommodations (i.e. overcrowding, lack of plumbing, heating, or electricity)
Youth living on their own, without a parent or legal guardian

You also have the right to:

Enroll in and attend school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there
Continue attending the same school after experiencing loss of housing or transfer to a new school
Receive transportation assistance, if possible
Receive school meal programs
Receive Title I services

Staff Contact Information by Building

Mancelona Public School District and Mancelona Middle School
Pami Sprague
McKinney-Vento District Liaison
Foster Care Liaison
psprague@mancelonaschools.org
231.587.9869 ext 224

Mancelona High School
Michelle Dingman
Guidance Counselor/Liaison
mdingman@mancelonaschools.org
231.587.8551 ext 409

Mancelona Elementary School
Counselor/Liaison
Melanie Griffore
mgriffore@mancelonaschools.org
231.587.8661 ext 314