Resources from Tracy Interfaith Ministries.
The goal of Tracy Interfaith Ministries is to strengthen families and help them gain self-sufficiency. During this process, some of the clients of the churches as well as non-profits from Tracy may be able to receive short term help for everything from housing to food or eviction prevention. Case managers will assess the individual's needs and try to provide assistance accordingly.
Families facing a crisis or that are struggling to feed their family can turn to the food banks run by the faith based group. The resources available at these centers rely on donations from the community as well as the time commitment of volunteers. Additional capacity of the food banks comes from the use of a local non-profit's network, such as that from Feeding America.
Over the years the site has provided support to countless families. The assistance has been for those who need food, and due to these services from Tracy Interfaith Ministries or its partners, they have been given access to it. There is fresh produce, milk, formula, and more. There are even community gardens in the county as well that grow fruits and vegetables for the pantry. The current focus is on delivering services to cities and towns across San Joaquin County.
The Homeless Intervention Program as well as Eviction Prevention Services offer very limited financial assistance. Depending on many factors, Tracy Interfaith Ministries (T.I.M.) will try to arrange either grants or no-interest loans to tenants. This is for a family with an eviction notice, and the money can help them pay their rent. Applicants in permanent housing must be in danger of losing their home.
Individuals moving out of transitional housing, and that were formerly homeless, may benefit from financial aid for security deposits or paying first months rent. This will be for those that were faced with unavoidable crisis situations that lead to that event, and it is not for people in chronic poverty. Any support from Tracy Interfaith Ministries is only for applicants in temporary housing who are in need of a security deposit to secure a low income apartment.
Any type or rent and/or security deposit assistance will be offered at the same time as housing counseling. The reason that someone is applying needs to be because they were faced with some form of unavoidable circumstances, including illness, job layoff or reduction in hours, accident, termination, loss of daycare or transportation necessary for employment, or a delay in receiving public benefits. The counseling will address these conditions.
The applicant needs to also have have been self-sufficient prior to the event as well. Also, they need to have exhausted all other resources available to them in Stockton and across San Joaquin.
Another resource is Emergency Housing or shelters. These are for homeless men, women, domestic violence survivors, and children. All across San Joaquin County are distinct programs offering shelter, and it can range from one night's refuge to get off the streets of Stockton to long-term support providing paths to self-sufficiency.
All too many seniors live on limited or fixed incomes, and as a result a large percentage struggle to buy groceries on a monthly basis. So there are food assistance programs as well as USDA commodities available for them as well.
Frozen Meals on Wheels is a service in San Joaquin for the homebound. Most of the clients are over the age of 60 or disabled. There will be help given to them in the form of low cost or sometimes free nutritious meals. Individuals who use this Meals on Wheels service must have a means to reheat the food because they are delivered frozen. While a donation is appreciated, no one is denied access to this because of an inability to pay.
Tracy Interfaith Ministries Dining Centers are for more mobile residents of the area. The non-profit will service nutritious meals at the sites, most of which are at churches. Every single meal served, whether a lunch or dinner, consists of an entrée and sides such as fruits, breads, milk, vegetables, and more. It will provide at least one-third of the recommended USDA daily nutrients for older adults.
Those who stop by will also have access to community resources, such as workshops and social activities. People from the community may also drop in and help enroll clients in programs such as Medicare or other government benefits. The objective of the Congregate Dining Centers is to meet the needs of the elderly.
There are various employment and educational resources available as part of case management from Tracy Interfaith Ministries. Staff will work with clients to help them gain stability. This will include support in increasing their annual income, reducing debts, managing financial assets, and finding community support.
Career Readiness from Tracy Interfaith Ministries is available as a easy-to-use curriculum to help individuals master the skills they need to be successful in the competitive workplace. There are partners in the region that offer career awareness and exploration, job search, vocational skills, financial awareness, career preparation and the try to give people from the community the foundational work skills needed to be successful.
The ministry is located at 311 West Grant Line Road in Tracy, CA 95378. Call 209-836-5424 for details
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