{"id":141,"date":"2015-11-14T18:06:10","date_gmt":"2015-11-14T18:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stories.kera.org\/holidays\/?p=141"},"modified":"2016-04-22T13:39:54","modified_gmt":"2016-04-22T13:39:54","slug":"how-nonprofits-help-north-texans-during-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.kera.org\/holidays\/2015\/11\/14\/how-nonprofits-help-north-texans-during-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"How Nonprofits Help North Texans During The Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays can be financially stressful for many families. The season of spending can be especially tough when you\u2019re unemployed or living paycheck to paycheck. Leaders from two North Texas nonprofits,\u00a0Yesika\u00a0Moncada with Catholic Charities of Fort Worth<\/a> and Cathy Packard with Family Gateway<\/a>, talk about the people they serve, and the worries they carry around all winter.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Every year, Catholic Charities Fort Worth pairs children in need with holiday gifts, and parents\u2019 expectations can run the gamut.<\/p>\n

Case manager Yesika Moncada says she sees both extremes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s one where [parents]\u00a0do have this long list of what they would like for their children to have, sometimes, unrealistic,” she says. “And then there\u2019s also the other side of ‘Really, all I want for my children is a roof over their heads.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Cathy Packard, executive director of Family Gateway in Dallas, says she sees the same thing. That\u2019s why they ask people to separate necessities from holiday wishes.<\/p>\n

\"Shoppers

Shoppers walk through Christmas aisles at Walmart in Dallas. Photographed on Monday, November 16, 2015. Photo\/Lara Solt<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWants get confused with needs. And a mom wants to get her son an Xbox, but he really needs a coat,” Packard says. “And, many times, this is the first time an individual has had the luxury of picking something for her family.”<\/p>\n

Small things make a big difference<\/h4>\n

Gift-giving is a big part of what nonprofits do during the holiday season, and presents for kids is what most people think of when it\u2019s time to donate.<\/p>\n

Moncada said smaller gestures, like making sure a single mom has the lipstick and shampoo she\u2019s used to, sometimes make the biggest difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving even that normal routine of doing your hair, your makeup, getting dressed for work, it sets the tone for the rest of the day,” Moncada says. “I think it sets the tone for what they\u2019re going to accomplish from there on.”<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re in crisis, the last thing you\u2019re going to do is plan for the rest of the week and the month. You\u2019re just trying to get through the day.”
Yesika Moncada, case manager for Catholic Charities of Fort Worth<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>\n

‘Trying to get through the day’<\/h4>\n

While gifts and food make the holidays brighter for families on the financial edge, high energy bills, flu season and car repairs lurk all winter. Not to mention finding and keeping a job, which Packard says challenges her clients.<\/p>\n

\"This

A North Texas ice storm, such as this one from 2013, means costly heating bills and childcare snags. Photo\/Latesia Isabel Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThey have someone in the family that\u2019s causing the family not to be able to work,” Packard says. “Someone has a disability — whether it\u2019s a child or the parent. So that\u2019s about 30 percent of our families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Catholic Charities of Fort Worth works to help clients make wise financial choices all\u00a0year long. Moncada said that\u2019s easier said than done.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re in crisis, the last thing you\u2019re going to do is plan for the rest of the week and the month. You\u2019re just trying to get through the day,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

At Family Gateway, Packard said the youngest people they serve are only worried about one thing this time of year:\u00a0\u201cThat Santa is not going to find them, because they\u2019ve moved out of their home and they\u2019re in a new place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Shelves

Shelves stocked Christmas paper and bags at Walmart in Dallas. Photo\/Lara Solt<\/p><\/div>\n

Holidays bring more than financial challenges<\/h4>\n

Moncada\u00a0and Packard named the toughest problems their clients face this time of year. Here are three of them:<\/p>\n

1. Daycares\u00a0and schools close on ice days and there’s nowhere for kids to go.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s also cold and flu season. If parents don’t have a fail-safe caregiver lined up, there’s nothing to do except stay home \u2014\u00a0and often miss pay.<\/p>\n

“We continually coach our families on how to talk to their boss,” \u00a0Packard says.\u00a0“A lot of bad things that could happen won’t happen if you’re just confident enough to call ahead.”<\/p>\n

2. Affordable housing is difficult to find.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When families crowd into small spaces, the psychological impact can extend beyond stress and inconvenience.<\/p>\n

“The space in itself kind of can blur the boundaries in families,” Moncada says.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, this is a very, very tough time for families without means to be living in Dallas. There’s almost literally no available supportive housing in the community right now,” Packard says.<\/p>\n

She advised those who need immediate help to call Family Gateway<\/a> and ask to speak to intake for referrals or recommendations.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas

Christmas trees on display at Walmart in Dallas. Photo\/Lara Solt<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Gifts are just a dream \u2014 the basics are sorely needed.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moncada suggested families apply for aid from<\/a>\u00a0GoodFellow<\/a>, which has a special Christmas program that helps applicants sort out wants and needs. They’re filled up this year, but families can get a jump-start next September when the organization begins taking applications for 2016.<\/p>\n

Packard says that Rainbow Days does a Saturday with Santa event on Dec. 12; it’s a party for homeless kids from shelters and supportive housing in Dallas.\u00a0Find out how to get involved.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, this is a very, very tough time for families without means to be living in Dallas. There’s almost literally no available supportive housing in the community right now.”\u00a0
Cathy Packard, executive director of Family Gateway<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>\n

Lyndsay Knecht contributed to this story.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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