Our Services

SOCIAL SERVICES

NICA social workers, caseworkers, social work interns and volunteers provide:

• Assessment, advocacy and case management

• Coordination of community services to help clients with complex needs

• Money management training to help clients learn to budget money

• Application assistance for benefits – WIC, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), etc.

• Elderly and disabled services:  home visits, delivery of food, home repairs, maintenance

• Information and referral to link clients to additional community resources

DIRECT AID

NICA provides direct aid to people with pressing needs. These items are typically donated or funds are donated to purchase them. Direct aid items include:

• Food

• Clothing

• Health and Hygiene Items

• Baby Items and Diapers

• Household Goods

• Furniture

• Limited Financial Aid (utilities, prescriptions, bus passes, gas vouchers)

• New School Uniforms

• Thanksgiving Baskets

• Christmas Clothes and Gifts for Children

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

NICA provides educational classes that teach people skills that they can use to improve their quality of life.  Hispanic clients especially face overwhelming barriers to getting and keeping good-paying jobs.  Inability to speak English, illiteracy, and lack of computer skills are some of the more common problems that they cite. 

NICA employs Promotoras, Hispanic lay educators, to teach classes to benefit their neighbors. Promotoras are active citizens and influential members of the Hispanic community.  They are mothers and grandmothers who have been trained by the University of North Texas Health Science Center and the Tarrant County Public Health Department to conduct outreach programs. Educational and health-related programs they offer include:

• English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Life skills

• Computer training

• Literacy and GED tutoring

• Nutrition and cooking classes

• Health education and wellness programs

• Fitness activities

• Gardening programs

YOUTH MENTORING

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Community Services provide volunteer opportunities for people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to help their neighbors.  Volunteer service opportunities are available for groups, families, and individuals of nearly every age. Times offered are weekdays Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday mornings.  Other times can be arranged if preferred.  In 2011, more than 900 volunteers provided 31,281 hours of service.  

SEASONAL PROGRAMS

Annual programs include:  Back to School Clothing for 400 elementary-aged children, Thanksgiving Baskets for 450 families, and Christmas gifts and clothes to more than 800 children each year.