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Share In
Irving's
Success
Clients who come to
Irving Cares for assistance are usually people who have limited income.
Any unexpected financial crisis can dramatically impact them, as they
have no savings to rely on. Read on to learn how Irving Cares has helped.
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Max came into Irving
Cares for assistance with rent. His niece had been living with him
and helping pay the rent. She moved out unexpectedly and left them
short for the previous month’s rent. Max had to pay late fees
– something he never had to do before. With help from Irving
Cares for the current month’s rent, Max was able to catch up and
plan for the loss of the extra rent money. He was able to pay
the next month’s rent on time and without late fees.
An elderly couple
came to Irving Cares seeking assistance with transportation to Parkland Hospital. They live on very
limited Social Security income. During the interview with a case
manager, they learned that Irving Cares could assist them with rent. They
have lived at the same address for 12 years, and had gotten into
financial trouble when she was not able to work for several months due to
surgery. Even though she is 69 years old, she has been working at a
part-time job for many years. She is looking forward to be released
from the doctor and returning to work in December.
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EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES PROGRAM
Sarah arrived at
Irving Cares seeking employment assistance. She was in her early 50's,
recently divorced, hadn't worked in ten years and was living in a local
motel. She attended weekly Job Search Seminars and began building a
relationship with the Case Manager. Sarah used the bus passes and
referrals given to her, and through personal dedication and persistence
she was hired as a Labor and Delivery Technician at a local hospital.
Today, she is enjoying her new job and living in her own apartment.
Tanya moved to Irving from another
state to start a new life. Initially, she and her three small children
temporarily moved in with her aunt. Tanya's aunt was familiar with Irving
Cares and suggested Tanya take advantage of the many programs available
to Irving
residents in need. One thing Tanya had going for her was a job at Delta
Airlines at DFW Airport, but she had to wait for the airlines to transfer
paperwork from out of state, which would take a few weeks. During that
wait Tanya contacted Irving Cares for support. She needed food for her
family immediately, and she knew that she would need childcare support
until her first paycheck arrived. Tanya met the Employment Services
Program requirements for childcare assistance and stayed in communication
with her Case Manager. Today, Tanya is thriving at her job. She and her
three children have their own home and Tanya pays for their childcare and
groceries. She remains grateful for the hand-up that Irving Cares
programs provided.
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PSYCHOTHERAPY
COUNSELING PROGRAM
Jill is a young
mother of six children. She and her husband recently moved in with
his parents due to financial issues. The family dynamics quickly
changed. The children began acting out and fighting with one
another. The in-laws were interfering with Jill’s discipline
of the children, and her husband was either going to the bedroom to
escape the chaos in the household, or else taking sides with the children
trying to be the “good” parent.
Their young daughter
became angry and rebellious. She ran away from home after the
parents were in bed one night in an effort to escape the confusion in the
household. When the daughter was brought back by the police, the
mother recognized the child’s behavior as a cry for help as well as
a wake-up call for her to get help for herself. She began coming to
counseling sessions at Irving Cares learning to deal with the stress in
the household and with parenting issues.
Through counseling Jill learned stress management skills and new parenting
techniques. She has began to set and
reinforce boundaries. The children are not fighting as much and are
listening to their mother. Jill asked for and got her
husband’s cooperation in co-parenting. He now backs her up in
disciplining the children. She used her newly learned assertiveness
skills to ask for her in-law’s cooperation and they are now
stepping aside and leaving the disciplining of the children to the
parents. There is less stress in the household for everyone.
The daughter also began counseling through Irving Cares play therapy
program working on anger and self-esteem. She is now happier and
has changed some of her rebellious behavior.
Jill reports she is
now enjoying parenting. She looks forward to picking up the
children from school and spending time with them. This is a change
from earlier when she dreaded the time they were out of school in the
afternoon and vacation times. She surprised herself recently when
she found herself singing as she worked in the kitchen. When the children
joined in the song, she realized what a difference there was in the
household. They were actually having fun together.
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FOOD PANTRY
Both husband and
wife were unemployed in December. Irving Cares was able to provide a
week's worth of emergency groceries and ingredients for the client's holiday
meal. The client mailed a thank you card that read:
Dear Irving Cares,
Thank you very much for the gift of food you gave us a few months ago. It
was very helpful to us during a difficult time. I appreciated being
treated with respect during what was a humbling time.
A senior citizen
came to Irving Cares for food assistance because she was declined for
food stamps. Her income from Social Security and her pension was too
high, though it was only $1,200 per month. Her monthly expenses were
$1,000, and she had some recent dental expenses. Irving Cares provided
emergency groceries and referred her to a community group that provides
free groceries to senior citizens.
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