Interfaith Community Services in Pima County assistance programs.
A number of financial assistance programs are offered by Interfaith Community Services to low income residents of Pima County. In an emergency, the organization may have funds for paying for housing expenses such as rent or utility bills. Other basic needs, such as free food, prescription medications, and clothing are just some examples of their resources. Many of the financial assistance programs are offered in partnership with other organizations, such as local food banks, churches and resource centers.
The charity, known as ICS, also provide extensive case management across Pima County and Tucson. This includes everything from job placement assistance to computer training and credit repair. Volunteers and staff from Interfaith Community Services want people to gain long term stability. Time is provided to clients to gain self-sufficiency.
Any type of financial assistance is offered in a crisis, as a last resort. For residents that are facing eviction, then some funds for paying rent or their utility bill may be offered. Medications can be provided for life sustaining conditions. Other Interfaith Community Services partner groups may offer funds for paying a security deposit on a new apartment for a formerly homeless person or offer a job seeking vouchers for clothing.
Christmas and school supplies are a part of Gifts of Love. This is the organizations adopt a family program. Many generous churches, companies, and families offer much-needed items for the holidays or back to school season. Gifts of Love requires clients to register and be pre-screened.
Some of what may be passed out to the needy in Pima County includes free holiday gifts and clothes, sports, summer school supplies and supplies for music programs. Children may get toys, books, or games, or maybe an organization will even pay for summer camp enrollment. Phone number is 297-6049.
Interfaith Community Services VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, will coordinate free state of Arizona and federal government income tax preparation for families and individuals with low to moderate incomes. It is run in partnership with the United Way of Southern Arizona. Also, clients that are very low income can ensure they benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit and the refund from it. Your tax returns will be electronically filed for free by ICS.
Job Centers provide the unemployed and other clients with the tools and assistance they need to break down employment barriers, help them find a job, and gain a sustaining income. Pima County One-Stop Offices and ICS partner on this endeavor. Assistance is offered from retired professionals and specialists.
Computer classes and literacy cover the basics, whether you are seeking a job or just touching up on skills. Sessions are for Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and more.
Build long-term financial independence from Money Management Classes. Some of the tools to do this include the Hands on Banking from Wells Fargo and ICS. There are programs on repairing, building and managing credit, tips on buying a home, refinancing a car loan, paying down debt, and budgeting.
A food bank from Interfaith Community Services (ICS) serves any needy or hungry households in the Tucson Arizona community. Thousands of families use the pantry every month. The center may have fresh or frozen items, including fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and dairy items.
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is a key ICS partner. They work to provide free food boxes to low-income seniors, the disabled, and individuals and families in need. Qualified households can receive up to one box of food per month, filled with basic groceries and staples. There may even also be free personal hygiene items, diapers, formula for infants and emergency food bags for homeless individuals or households who are in an emergency.
Special free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals may be served by ICS in Pima County. Other support is for children out of school during the summer, the elderly in homes, or homeless or indigent persons. Many of the clients are referred from other charities, churches or local faith communities. Assistance is also offered in applying for the federal government funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – food stamps).
Mobile Meals are another Pima County Arizona food program. Volunteers from Interfaith Community Services deliver fresh nutritious meals each weekday to physically challenged, elderly or sick adults who are unable to care for or cook for themselves. It will accommodate special diets and also allow clients to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes. The program may even serve more than one low cost meal per day to those that qualify. Phone 297-2738.
Help for seniors including caregiving and elder services, is for the frail, ill or physically-challenged. The programs are offered to help them live independently in their own homes, without the need for hospital care. Interfaith Community Services works to enhance the independence is of seniors and disabled adults who want to live in the comfort of home.
Transportation is available for shopping or medical appointments from the CARE-A-VAN. Volunteers that partner with ICS use their own vehicles to drive recipients to destinations such as the post office, medical appointments, pharmacy, the bank, or maybe the local grocery store.
There are telephone Reassurance Calls or afternoon phone calls to check on the status of the elderly and provide companionship. Friendly Visiting is done by volunteers with good listening skills engage in friendly, in-person conversations with recipients who have limited contact with friends, family and social networks. Companion sitting is also for the elderly or disabled in Pima County.
Some homeowners may qualify for free Home Repair / Yardwork from ICS volunteers. They will provide free labor to do minor repairs or work for recipients who are unable to this on their own or pay for it. This can be difficult to afford for people that live on a fixed income.
Contact and application information
Many of the programs from ICS are available based on referrals from local charities such as the Salvation Army or faith communities, clinics, social service agencies, and family members. Individuals in need of help, no matter what it is, can also contact ICS directly to register for services.
- Marana Resource Center, 13644 N. Sandario Road, Marana, Arizona 85653, call (520) 744-2485
- Main Office is at Christ the King Episcopal Church. The address is 2820 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741, 520-297-6049
- ICS Food Bank is at 2820 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741
- Eastside Office is at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85710, call (520) 731-3076
|
