Church assistance programs Forth Worth and Tarrant County.
Churches and faith based groups across Tarrant County provide assistance to the working poor. If a family needs money for paying their rent, a voucher for gasoline or to pay for medications, free food or maybe electric bill assistance, a local church in Fort Worth Texas as well as surrounding communities may help.
No matter the applicants religion, one of these faith based groups may assist. They also support people of all languages and backgrounds, whether they are Spanish speaking immigrants, single moms, minorities, or elderly. The locations, including Christian and other faith based churches, not only give monetary support for paying bills, but they also give guidance, both spiritual and other kinds.
The main types of assistance available are below. As noted, a religious group will not discriminate based on religion. But the individual needs to live in Tarrant County, they need to meet the income or other requirements in place, and realize that resources are very limited.
Rental, mortgage, security deposit, or utility assistance
These all fall under homeless prevention/housing/shelter. St John the Apostle Catholic Church reaches out to the poor from their location at 4101 Frawley Dr., North Richland Hills TX 76180, call 817-284-5912. This is one of the many parishes that may be be to assist financially.Based on need, and whether the need for a grant or loan is one time or long term, the church may have a few dollars to pay some of the rent due. Or some funds will help a very low income family keep their lights on. When seeking help from a church in Tarrant County, they will generally only support people in the immediate zip code or community.
Food, clothing, and household supplies
In an effort to ensure families, including children and the elderly are fed, locations provide food. First H.A.N.D. Ministries of First Presbyterian Church (address - 1516 Hemphill St, Fort Worth Texas 76110, Main Phone: 817-921-3955) has both a free food pantry and clothing closet. There may be fresh goods or non-perishable groceries passed out to the poor. They also have special meal services for immigrants and refugees, as they try to meet their customs.
These programs also focus on the youth in the community. When a family is struggling, their children should not be impacted. As of right now about 25% of kids are food insecure. Also, when a new baby is born in Fort Worth Texas, the ministries want to ensure they are clothed, fed, have housing or medications, and are taken care of. Therefore new parents, including single moms, may be given the following from a church.
- Free infant formula or diapers.
- Car seats to ensure transportation in an auto is safe, and the Tarrant County clothes closets have other goods too.
- Medical care is arranged.
- Housing is available for new moms, and this may be shelter or financial help for housing costs such as rent.
Assistance for children from churches in Tarrant County
There are several faith based groups that focus on this. They are the following. There is no religious test, and churches help immigrants, those from Mexico or central America, and children that have a language other than English. This assistance is also often combined with the food programs above.
- Rising Star Baptist Church at 4216 Avenue M, Fort Worth Texas 76105, dial 817-536-5461 operates day camps for kids under the age of 12.
- Tarrant County Catholic Charities is a partnership that combines combines free food, Christmas toys, and more.
Volunteers often support children. They can help them with homework after school and mentor them. Keeping children fed and safe is always a priority.
Educational support
The parishes want to break the cycle of poverty. Increasing income and personal responsibility is the only true way to help a family. Fort Worth Hope Center DBA The Hope Center is a church program that combines free food with employment resources. There is also a pre-vocational training program called the School of HOPE at 3625 E Loop 820 South, Fort Worth TX 76119, dial 817-451-6288. They can help immigrants gain work skills. Or the underemployed can also often benefit from new skills in today's high tech economy.
Many people in Fort Work speak Spanish or another language. This is why North Richland Hills Baptist Church (location 6955 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills Texas 76180, telephone 817-284-9206) runs an English as a second language ESL class. They are offered at free for who who can't afford to take on this additional bill. This type of support is combined with referrals to financial aid for employment. Clients can be linked to local programs that can give them a gasoline voucher for these classes and/or work, or be given a new suit or dress for their job.
Another location to try this is at Wesley United Methodist Church (2201 E Park Row Dr., Arlington TX 76010, Main Phone: 817-366-8049). They also try to improve work skills of adults as well as improve real life skills from free ESL classes. If a ride is needed to the test site, a volunteer may arrange this. Many churches also have computers that the community can use to access the internet for job search (or training) purposes.
Ensuring people have the proper skills and experience will help increase income. A church will help put the client on this path. Then, more money in the weekly paycheck will lead to improved ability to pay bills such as rent or energy costs. So there are many benefits. While this process is ongoing, try a location such as Martin United Methodist Church (address 2621 Bedford Rd., Bedford TX 76021, 817-734-7057) for that emergency financial help. When there is money, it can help enrolled clients keep up with the needs for electricity, rent, as well as transportation.
Medical needs and clinics
There are a couple local Tarrant County churches that focus on this. The support is generally for the very low income that lack insurance. If money is needed to pay for prescription medications, then St. Mary of the Assumption Church (location is 509 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth TX 76104, dial 817-923-1911) may have as much as $20 or so dollars for this. Or the client can learn about patient assistance programs that are run directly by pharmaceutical companies.
Oftentimes the sick need equipment for their condition. This is definitely more important for the disabled or someone recovering from a surgery. The St. Paul Presbyterian Church at 4517 Rufe Snow Dr., North Richland Hills Texas 76180, dial 682-227-9477 is one such place to try. Using items donated from the community (including hospital or doctors in Tarrant County) the parish may loan out walking boots, crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, shower/stools, canes, or other goods.
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