FIND HELP

Irving Cares programs offer bundled services for Irving residents in need.

Families and individuals find help and learn to avoid future crises. Irving Cares commits to providing services in a respectful and dignified manner without regard to race, color, gender, age, handicap, religion, or national origin.
Ensuring the most basic human needs are met is an important measure of a community’s quality of life.

It’s a hand up, not a handout.

Invest in Yourself

Invest in Yourself promotes self-sufficiency by helping Irving residents find and maintain stable employment.

Invest in Yourself Orientation Every Wednesday

Job-seekers are invited to orientation each Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., where they can learn job search techniques, interview skills and resume preparation, plus gain referral sources for a successful job search.  This program also offers budgeting and finance coaching, self-care, benefits screening and much more!

One-on-One Coaching

Coaches are available for assistance in English and Spanish, Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for one-on-one meetings to help overcome barriers to employment like transportation, childcare expenses, education level, job skills, uniforms, and work wardrobe.

Computer Lab

A computer lab is available during office hours and can be used for job searches and online applications.

Invest in Yourself Partners

Irving Cares partners with the Texas Workforce Center, North Lake College, the Irving Public Library, and others to provide resources for job referrals, education and training to job-seekers.

I would like to personally thank Irving Cares for their financial support toward my education. Without Irving Cares assistance I would have had to take a minimum wage job. Because Irving Cares does care about others, I now have the opportunity to provide a great life for my family. I am a certified phlebotomist and will be starting a new career at Carter Blood Care. Thanks Irving Cares, you made a difference in my life, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Your organization has the proper tools in place to change lives, because you changed mine.
Monique Mays

Food Pantry

The food pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. To get help, residents should bring a photo ID, proof of Irving residence, and proof of identity for the people in the household. Social security cards are not required.

The goal of the food pantry is to prevent hunger and help overcome a crisis. We provide nutritious groceries in an amount that should feed the family for a week.

At Irving Cares:  Residents sign in, fill out an information sheet and meet privately with a case manager.  Everyone needing food is seen on a first-come, first-served basis.  Most visits are completed in about an hour.

NTFB Social Services Coordinator

The North Texas Food Bank Social Services Coordinator is at Irving Cares to assist enrollment in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits. It’s completely free with no cost to applicants. The coordinator can:

  • Answer questions about the application process, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Supply the proper forms and application assistance to properly complete the required forms.
  • Complete the application and interview process in one visit.
  • Issue an EBT benefits card, if applicable.
  • Provide status updates on your case, once you have applied through their department.

Call for North Texas Food Bank for service information and current schedule: 214-269-0906.

Equal Access

All residents of Irving, Texas have equal access to the Food Pantry.  In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Irving Cares is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 260-1026, (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or (202) 401-0216 (TDD).

Financial Assistance

Irving Cares helps residents experiencing a temporary financial crisis.

We have limited assistance for eligible residents who need help with:

  • rent or mortgage
  • utilities  (TXU Energy and Atmos Energy)
  • prescriptions

For help with rent or utilities, applicants must qualify by phone by calling (972) 721-9181, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Those receiving assistance are required to attend a money management training class.

Irving Cares is a partnering agency. Residents work with a case manager to determine how much they are able to pay depending on their financial situation.

   

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program

Dallas County Health & Human Services offers CEAP assistance at Irving Cares. The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program. The program is designed to assist low income households in meeting their immediate energy needs.  Dallas County HHS can assist with all utility vendors.

Irving residents must call 214-819-1848 to schedule an appointment for CEAP assistance.

Information & Referral

Irving Cares strives to match those in need with the right resources. Coaches are aware of current information and programs to provide targeted referrals. When we cannot provide a service, we offer referrals to other agencies and suggest contacting Texas211.org, or dialing 2-1-1 from any phone. Texas211 is a public-private partnership of the Community Council of Greater Dallas, Texas Health and Human Services Commission and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offering a central source for community information.