Caritas of Waco has received a $200,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission to be able to continue its case management program.
The program offers financial assistance and guidance to veterans in moving out of poverty by becoming more self-sufficient and less reliant on emergence assistance programs.
Veterans from any era and service branch that live within McLennan, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, and Limestone counties and have an annual income no greater than 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible.
Caritas is expecting to help 300 veterans for the year through this program. This is the first year that surviving spouses of veterans are eligible for the program.
The Veterans' Case Management program offers assistance in utilities, housing, childcare, transportation, and food.
The program also helps with pre-vocational training testing, costs for certifications and licensing materials for vocational training, and clothing for employment or training.
But the program is not just about providing financial assistance. "We were able to provide that service to that veteran and also hook him up with a possible job lead to where he can sustain his living situation. Not just coming here to get one-time assistance but we gave him the empowerment to provide for himself in the future," said Charles Ray Harris Jr, a Veterans Case Manager at Caritas of Waco.
While in-office visits are not being done due to COVID-19, the staff at Caritas is still available to help. You can find out more about the Veterans' Case Management program by calling Caritas 254-753-4593.
