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Programs in-Season
November/December Holiday Programs
Metrocrest Social Services strives to improve the quality of clients’ lives through special holiday programs which offer food and gifts that clients might not otherwise be able to afford.
Our holiday program allows parents the opportunity to choose food and gifts for each family member without having to pay; in this way, children don’t know that they’ve received donated gifts, and parents maintain their dignity by being able to provide for their families during the holidays.
If you have questions or for more information about how we can help you, contact Cathy Quaid at 972.446.2100 ext. 19 for more information.
Emergency Assistance & Comprehensive Programs
The mission of Metrocrest Social Services is to provide emergency assistance and comprehensive programs to move families toward self-sufficiency.
Metrocrest Social Services Provides:
MSS provides services to families who are in crisis due to insufficient income and resources to adequately meet their needs. Caseworkers develop a program plan with families to stabilize the crisis and move the family toward self-sufficiency. In order to achieve this goal, the agency makes referrals as needed for employment, budgeting, food stamps, child support, education and legal aid. Caseworkers follow-up on the referral process to determine the client’s progress. This plan and the financial assistance provided by the agency fundamentally change the family’s economic situation and move them towards self-sufficency. Provided resources include:
- Rent
- Utilities Assistance
- Food
- Clothing/Furniture/Household items
- Bus passes/Gas vouchers for transportation
- Limited Medical needs
- Information and referral
- Seasonal programs: School supplies and school shoes, holiday food and gifts
The Metrocrest Social Services employment program assists individuals with one or more of the following:
- Individual job counseling:
- Assess employment history and identify barriers to employment
- Identify employment goals and clarify realistic expectations
- Give job referrals and/or opportunities for education and training
- Employment Skills Training
- Use of Internet/phone/fax and resume building software
- Provide gas/bus vouchers, clothing, and haircuts\
- Provide limited skill training/education (i.e., Internet job search)
- Information for other needs and referral to other agencies
Every client meets with an employment counselor who determines their current needs and develops a program plan to meet those immediate needs. Clients are also assisted in determining current barriers and how to lower these barriers in order to find or upgrade employment. Once solutions have been identified for current needs, counselors discuss future goals. Counselors then work with clients to develop a self-sufficiency plan that addresses how the client can achieve these future goals. Clients are encouraged by counselors to continue their efforts in finding employment by providing them employment leads. Counselors also provide follow-up and encourage clients to increase their job search efforts when necessary. MSS offers skills training to help with resumes, interviewing, and completing applications. We also offer many referrals to improve education, language skills, or to deal with citizenship issues which may be causing barriers to meaningful and measurable income. MSS provides clients the opportunity to use computers, printers, fax machines, phones, and copier equipment to assist them in obtaining and preparing for employment success.
Back-to School Program
Back-to-school time can be stressful for families who don’t make enough money to purchase groceries and pay the rent and can’t afford school shoes and supplies. These programs allow children to feel proud to walk into school that first day, filled with hope for a great school year!
School supplies: Each year Metrocrest Social Services collects new school supplies for area children who cannot afford a new backpack or the supplies needed to start the school year off right. Donations of new school supplies are collected July through August. A generous annual financial donation from STMicroelectronics helps kick off the supply drive. Specific supplies needed include wide-rule notebook paper, thick & thin washable markers, colored map pencils, "marble" composition books, 5" sharp-point scissors, pencil bags, small (elementary/ages 5–8) backpacks, black "Sharpie" markers, and black dry-erase markers.
School shoes: In addition to new school supplies, Metrocrest Social Services along with sponsoring churches and corporations provide a brand new pair of shoes and socks to local school-age children. For six Saturdays, Payless Shoe Source in Carrollton opens its doors early just for Metrocrest clients. Volunteers from the sponsoring churches and corporations make sure that each child is fitted with a new pair of shoes.
If you have questions or for more information about how we can help you, contact Camilla Zimbal, Director of Social Services at 972.446.2112 for more information.