Irving Cares, Inc.

Irving Cares has established the following organizational goals:

• Provide clients with services in a respectful and dignified manner without regard to race, color, gender, age, disability, religion or national origin
• Identify and address the needs of the Irving community
• Partner with clients to develop solutions that lead to self-sufficiency
• Work with volunteers, agencies, and organizations for greater impact and effectiveness
• Assure donors and supporters of superior management and fiduciary practices
• Implement a sound fund development plan in support of commitments to the community

Irving Cares meets the community's needs through two primary programs: Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) and Invest in Yourself. Households can receive emergency food provisions based on USDA My Plate guidelines for healthy nutrition. Financial assistance with a housing payment, utilities, bus passes, and/or prescriptions is available to families in a verifiable financial crisis. Recipients of housing and utility assistance are asked to participate in the FDIC’s Money Matters training online and are invited to join the Invest in Yourself Program.

The Invest In Yourself Program is a new initiative at Irving Cares that provides a coordinated set of services to help low-income families get jobs, strengthen their finances, and move up the economic ladder. This program is being implemented in partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas, based on the Working Families Success national model. Invest in Yourself pairs in-depth financial education and one-on-one “coaching” with access to existing Irving Cares services such as employment services, emergency assistance with food, housing, and utilities, and information/referrals. The primary purpose of the Invest in Yourself Program is to help families to advance economically and become self-sufficient.

Irving Cares is an established organizations with strong local support. Irving Cares has consistently been recognized for excellence; awards and accomplishments include:

• Annually: Tier 1 Model Agency for the North Texas Food Bank, passing a very thorough inspection of facilities, products and volunteer training; in 2017, named Partner of the Year.
• Annually: Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Best Local Nonprofit Award
• 2018: Winner of the “Mayor and Keep Irving Beautiful Award”
• 2017: Received the La Cima Club Legacy Award
• 2017: Received the City of Irving Texas Parks and Recreation Community Service Award
• 2017: Achieved a Platinum Level Guidestar Profile
• 2017: Received Charity Navigator’s fourth consecutive four-star rating for sound fiscal management
• 2012-2017: GreatNonprofits.org Great Non-profit Award
• 2001-2017: United Way’s Top Rating for Fiduciary Management and Board Oversight
• 2008: TXU Energy recognized Irving Cares as an Original Community Partner, acknowledging 25 years of outstanding partnership in commitment to serving Irving’s working poor
• 2005: The City of Irving’s Housing and Human Services Award for Outstanding Community Partner

Annual Outcomes - Fiscal Year Ending 2020

• Irving Cares provided employment services for 437individuals. 93 people became employed through opportunities sourced through Irving Cares and 92% retained their employment for at least 90 days.
• Irving Cares provided nutritious groceries for an average of 512 families per month. 100% of customers said that the Food Pantry assistance helped to prevent hunger in their household and 96% of customers said the Food Pantry assistance improved their ability to deal with a financial crisis.
• Irving Cares provided rent or mortgage assistance for 157 families. 93% of these maintained their housing for at least 90 days after receiving assistance.
• Irving Cares provided gas and electric utility assistance for 301 households. 94% of these maintained their utility connection for at least 90 days after receiving assistance.
• 507 customers completed Money Management training through Irving Cares. 97% of these identified three pieces of budgeting information on the post-course test.
• Irving Cares provided 9,482 targeted referrals to other resources.