Irving Cares, Inc.

Description

Founded in 1957, Irving Cares offers a holistic web of social services including limited financial assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities, or prescriptions; a food pantry; an employment services program; and information and referral. Working poor families experiencing a personal or economic crisis are often in danger of eviction or utility disconnection; and all too often they go to bed hungry. Sometimes they must choose between buying food or gas to get to work and providing a sick child with necessary medications. Any unexpected change can quickly send the working poor into crisis. Our programs are about more than paying the bills; they're about impacting lives. Families and individuals experiencing a crisis are given the temporary assistance they need and referrals or training to promote their self-sufficiency. They are offered hope. We serve approximately 12% of the city's population, over 25,000 people annually, by partnering with clients to find solutions that work. Still, the need continues to grow. By staving off hunger and homelessness while providing a web of support systems and training opportunities, we reinforce the idea of offering a hand up, not a handout, to strengthen people's ability to care for themselves and their families.

Ensuring that the most basic of human needs are met is an important measure of a community's quality of life.