How we identify our goals:
Irving Cares commits to:
- identifying and addressing the needs of the Irving community
- providing clients with services in a respectful and dignified manner without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion or national origin
- partnering with clients in developing mutual solutions that lead to self-sufficiency
- working with other agencies and organizations for greater impact and effectiveness
- assuring donors and supporters of exemplary management and fiduciary practices
The current state of the economy has amplified the challenges of the working poor, even people who never expected to need help are coming to Irving Cares.
Our strategy for achieving goals:
In families without adequate resources, people typically go without basic human needs, like food. The consequences are lasting and jeopardize children’s long-term health, employment and earnings potential, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Holding off hunger and homelessness while providing a web of support systems and training opportunities, Irving Cares offers a hand up, not a handout, to strengthen people’s ability to care for themselves and families.
The caring environment and professional nature of dedicated staff and volunteers helps families maintain dignity throughout their crisis situation and offers them hope for the future.
The Emergency Assistance Program includes financial assistance, food pantry and information & referral. Case Managers interview, then partner with clients, to determine the best course of action to overcome the client’s crisis situation and promote self-sufficiency.
If employment is a root cause for accessing food or financial assistance, clients are referred to the Employment Services program for help. The Employment Services Program prepares clients for employment, provides them with skills for seeking and keeping a job, helps them stay focused and encouraged during the search process.
Residents who say transportation is a barrier are encouraged to enroll in the Patient Transportation Program which provides rides to healthcare appointments.
Our capacity for achieving goals:
In 2009, Irving cares added over 4,700 square feet of space: double the food pantry warehouse, four case worker offices, a training classroom, and client computer lab for job seekers.
In the past fiscal year volunteers donated 14,021 hours working in all areas of the agency. Receptionists, Case Managers and food pantry workers donated hours to the Emergency Assistance Program. Volunteers assist with Job Search Seminars and resume writing for job seeking clients. The databases that track Irving Cares client data, employment assistance, volunteer hours and donations were created by a volunteer.
Irving Cares could not have served more than 42,000 people – 20% of Irving’s population – without a strong volunteer base.
Information about our effectiveness and results:
Clients receiving rent, mortgage or utility assistance must participate in a Money Management course (available in English and Spanish) to learn budgeting skills. If a client in need of financial assistance has already received cash assistance, or does not meet our guidelines, the family could still get emergency groceries, freeing up funds to pay bills. Information and referrals to other service providers or programs, or internal programs like Employment Services, give access to additional resources. Other assistance includes prescription subsidies and transportation assistance in the form of vouchers or bus passes.
Job search seminars address how to complete job applications, prepare resumes, dress for and participate in interviews, and search for employment opportunities with a variety of resources. Case Management appointments identify and eliminate barriers to employment, provide counseling and coaching, and enable the Case Manager to provide personalized job leads. We also help the newly employed until the first paycheck arrives. This support could be transportation assistance, childcare tuition, GED testing fees or educational stipends, and referrals to other Irving Cares programs for groceries, limited rent/mortgage or utility assistance.
How we measure progress:
These measurements monitor the effectiveness of our programs.
An average of 697 families each month receive nutritious groceries from the food pantry. We survey annually. 100% of clients said they were treated with dignity and respect by the staff and volunteers. One commented, “Everyone was great. I was embarrassed, but they made me feel comfortable.”
- 94% stated they received all useful or many useful items. Milk, eggs and meat were the most useful items named.
- 95% of clients surveyed said they’ve worried about having enough food for their family, and 68% said they’ve been hungry but didn’t eat because there wasn’t enough money for food, “It was so helpful because that day we had nothing in the house. We had just paid our bills and ran out of money.”
279 families received rent or mortgage assistance.
- Our goal is that 85% of those assisted will not be evicted within 90 days of receiving assistance.
- Results: 94% were not evicted within 90 days of receiving assistance.
381 families received water, gas or electric utility assistance.
- Our goal is that 85% of those assisted will not be disconnected within 90 days of receiving assistance.
- Results: 97% were not disconnected within 90 days of receiving assistance.
Clients receiving rent/mortgage or utility assistance are required to attend a money management class online or in a classroom setting, in English or in Spanish. 631 clients took a money management class.
- Our goal is that 90% of these clients will identify three pieces of budgeting information after completing the money management program.
- Results: 95% of clients identified three pieces of budgeting information.
706 unduplicated clients were seen in Employment Services. When case managed clients become employed, they have greater success at keeping employment over time.
- Our goal is that 75% of those who gain employment will remain employed for 90 days or longer.
- Results: 90% remained employed 90 days or longer.
158 unduplicated clients enrolled in the Patient Transportation Program received 1,499 door-to-door rides to medical appointments. Clients were surveyed to determine the impact of the program on maintaining their health and independence.
- Goal: 90% of clients will agree that participation in the Patient Transportation Program helps them maintain their independence. Results: 100% agreed the program helps maintain independence.
- Goal: 90% of clients will agree participation in the Patient Transportation Program makes it easier to live with a chronic condition such as diabetes, cancer or high blood pressure. Results: 100% agreed that the program makes it easier to live with a chronic condition.
- Goal: 90% of clients will agree they could not get to medical appointments or have easy access to prescriptions. Results: 100% agreed they could not get to medical appointments/ wouldn’t have easy access to prescriptions without the program.
Ensuring that basic human needs are met is an important measure of a community’s quality of life.
Irving Cares offers a hand up, not a handout and promotes self-sufficiency for Irving residents in need.