How Irving Cares Helps Residents in Need

Irving Cares Offers a Holistic Web of Services

My wife and I want to thank Irving Cares for the assistance you provided during a great time of need.  I was laid off from my job in January, and with one income, we were struggling to make ends meet.  You helped pay my light bill and gave me groceries through the Food Pantry.  Your employment specialist helped me get another job.

Residents of Irving are very fortunate to have an agency such as yours that is there to help those in need.  You never think it will be yourself in a situation and in need of help.  We were just so grateful that we contacted your agency, and we appreciate the staff’s immediate assistance in addressing our needs. 

Patient Transportation Provides Access to Medical Care

Through friends from school Raj heard about Irving Cares and contacted us for help in the Patient Transportation Program.  He needed transportation from home to UT Southwestern for his radiation and chemotherapy.

Raj is only 21 years old. He came from Nepal to America on a full scholarship to UT Arlington.  He has no family here.  Last fall Raj had an automobile accident. He had a convulsion while driving and rolled his car several times. The car caught fire but a passer-by pulled him free and called 911.

At the hospital Raj discovered he had a malignant brain tumor.  He has no insurance and needed help with all aspects of his illness.

The tumor is being treated with chemo and radiation. Raj has been riding in the Irving Cares van for the past 6 weeks to his appointments. He is grateful for the no-cost, door-to-door transportation that assures he receives his medical treatment.

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Money Management Classes Offered in Spanish & Online

Clients receiving financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments are required to attend a Money Management Class with curriculum from Consumer Credit Counseling Services.  Now clients receiving utility assistance for their electricity bills with Direct Energy and TXU are also required to attend. 

A grant from Allstate Insurance Foundation covers the expenses for the training, workbook costs, and calculators distributed to each client.  Volunteers or staff members teach the class.  Clients learn how to better manage their income and expenses.  The class gives them tools to create a family budget. 

A classroom setting meets most clients needs; but Spanish speakers and those struggling to find childcare need another alternative.

Irving Cares Bilingual Case Manager Mary Cortés is certified to teach the class in Spanish, and Spanish-speaking clients can attend in the classroom setting. 

Irving Cares has further expanded the availability of Money Management Classes by adding computers that access the Consumer Credit Counseling Services website, allowing clients to take the class online, in English or Spanish. 

This is a good example of how Irving Cares provides emergency assistance and training to promote our clients’ self-sufficiency.  Come for a tour to see how it works. 

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Employment Services Helps Eliminate Barriers

Charles attended the Job Search Seminar in May. He had been out of work since October because of a car accident that left him seriously injured. Charles had no form of transportation and was in jeopardy of losing his apartment since he lacked a way to look for a job.

Charles had the attitude that no one would hire him, and he was tired of trying. Irving Cares Employment Services assisted Charles with bus passes so he could put in job applications.

He attended a job fair in June hosted by Trinity Employment Solutions, a partner of the Employment Services program. Trinity Solutions hired Charles to work for the Dallas Cowboys Warehouse as a forklift driver. 

His new job has given Charles a new outlook on life. He’s contacted the Employment Services Manager several times to say thank you and to let her know how much he enjoys his job.

Charles has caught up on his bills and now buys his own bus passes in order to get to work.  The agency rep who hired Charles says he is a great worker. Today when you talk to this client, he has a positive outlook and a brighter future.

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