Interfaith Community Services (ICS)
is a nonprofit organization that helps people in need achieve stable, healthy and independent lives.
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Where Help Brings Hope
ICS provides a wide range of services to help people in financial crisis stabilize their housing, employment and healthcare; and programs that assist seniors and disabled individuals in remaining safe and healthy at home. ICS programs link together to offer more than short-term help; we work with clients to build long-range solutions that promote sustainability. In 2020, ICS helped more than 47,000 children and adults in our community to meet their basic needs and improve the quality of their life.Programs Overview:
Financial Assistance
ICS helps individuals and families in severe financial difficulties with a variety of services:- Emergency Financial Aid provides assistance with rent, mortgages, utilities, medications and other basic necessities such as identifications, bus passes and back-to-work needs. ICS clients receive one-on-one case management—a critical step in helping them to lift themselves out of financial crisis.
- Gifts of Love matches donor groups with families in need to provide holiday food and gifts.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance provides free tax preparation to low to moderate income households to connect these taxpayers to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits for which they may qualify.
Workforce Development Centers
ICS has two Workforce Development Centers--located in northwest Tucson and east Tucson - that provide free one-on-one services to give clients tools to be more competitive in the job market as well as skills to build financial independence. Services include help in:- Preparing résumés and applications
- Job searching tips and techniques
- Self-esteem mentoring and interview coaching
- Basic computer training
- Education on money management
Food Banks
The ICS Food Banks provide nutritious food for low income-seniors, individuals and families struggling with financial hardship. This includes monthly food and holiday boxes, as well as supplemental food items, diapers and personal hygiene items. Northwest location, 2820 W. Ina Rd is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday – Saturday. The Eastside location, 8710 E. Old Spanish Trail, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The ICS Food Banks serves households throughout Pima County. The majority of clients are families with children ages 18 and under.Mobile Meals
Volunteers deliver nutritious, two-meal trays of food each weekday to seniors, physically challenged or convalescent adults. Our service area is east to Swan, south to Ft. Lowell and Miracle Mile, West to I-10, and north to Rancho Vistoso.Caregiving Services
ICS Caregiving Services help over 600 frail and elderly citizens each year in Pima County stay independent in their homes. Services are provided in over 26 zip code areas of Pima County, based on availability of volunteers, and include:- Transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other errands
- TeleCARE reassurance calls
- Afternoon TeleCHAT and other friendly calling and visiting programs
- Personal business assistance
- Home repairs/yardwork
- Companion sitting and other services for seniors and disabled persons.
Health Advocacy
The ICS Health Advocacy team is a resource for helping sort out health care questions. This service provides in-home assessments for all Caregiving and Mobile Meals clients coming onto ICS services. It also provides educational resources and health care advocacy to recipients and faith communities, as well as links to other required care. Health advocacy services are available to all ICS clients. ICS staff also serve as a resource for Health Outreach to local congregations.Community Health Outreach
As an extension of our Congregations and Health Outreach and Whole Health Program, ICS serves as a resource to connect faith communities and the community-at-large to current information on mental illness as well as local care resources. Mental Health First Aid, an 8-hour course addressing stigma and providing training to give initial help to adults experiencing mental health problems. Honoring our Lives programming prepares people of all life stages and cultures transitioning through life stages and their departure from this life with Advance Care Planning workshops.ICS gives our community’s most vulnerable residents a hand-up to changing and/or improving the quality of their lives.