Dallas nonprofit Interfaith Family Services is working to alleviate poverty in Dallas.
Interfaith Family Services, originally named the Interfaith Housing Coalition, was founded with the purpose of raising Dallas families out of poverty. The organization provides services such as career coaching, housing, childcare, help with rent, wellness, and more.
The organization’s 2022 annual report details that 97% of the families it served left its program employed with an average hourly wage of $17.59. In addition, 94% of families left with permanent housing and 89% in the 2021 program retained their employment after a full year.
Moreover, 99% of those who left its program did so with a long-term career plan, according to NBC 5 DFW. Sylvia Arenas, family services director for Interfaith Family Services, told NBC 5 that the organization accomplishes its goals by exploring ways to “increase wages” within a family experiencing financial troubles.
“We explore those opportunities with families trying to figure out where their five-year plans are, what their goals would be when it comes to careers, and trying to walk with them on that journey,” said Arenas, according to NBC 5.
Interfaith Family Services reported that many of those whom it serves work in the food service industry.
The accommodation and food service industry has been particularly struggling since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The business organization reported that the industry currently has a low employee retention rate and the highest quit rate out of other industries, consistently “above 4.9 percent.”
The Texas Restaurant Association announced on September 1 that a number of new or amended laws are now in effect as of the 88th Texas Legislature. These most recent changes to the industry in the state include “workforce development,” relief on property taxes, and more.
Interfaith Family Services’ Arenas said that some of the workers in this industry have struggled financially due to issues such as pay not rising with the cost of living and loss of extra hours.
In one particular instance, the nonprofit reported that it aided a single mother in moving from a fast food job paying $13 an hour up to the position of a certified nursing assistant, for which the average annual pay in Texas is $34,768, according to Salary.com.
“That allowed her to not only cover her expenses but to be able to put some money aside for those unexpected costs,” said Arenas, according to NBC 5. “And Interfaith was also able to match the first $150 that she was able to put into savings. So that small investment that Interfaith was able to give changed her employment outlook.”
The nonprofit plans to continue its mission of facilitating upward mobility for families in need.
Those in need of assistance can find more information on the organization’s website.
