A nonprofit in Dallas is welcoming families this week for a holiday celebration. Interfaith Family Services works with parents to help families become self-sufficient.
"Interfaith has a wonderful track record for self-sufficiency with more than 90 percent of our families remaining employed and housed one year after exiting our program," says Chief Executive Kimberly Williams. "Our goal is the long-term success of each and every family we serve."
Williams says Interfaith Family Services offers rental assistance to families facing evictions and temporary housing. The nonprofit also provides career training and financial coaching.
"We also provide onsite childcare, after school and summer programs that allow children to thrive academically and emotionally while their parents are rebuilding their lives," she says.
This week, volunteers set up a Christmas store at Interfaith Family Services' campus in Old East Dallas.
"This store is such a special thing because it allows parents to come in and shop for their kids," Williams says. "No one knows like Mom what their child really wants, so to be able to go in and pick out those gifts is really special. While mom is shopping, the children get to pick out a gift for Mom, so it's an incredibly special day for both parent and child."
Williams says Santa will take pictures with the families, and the event aims to help families who may be dealing with financial issues build positive memories.
"There's arts and crafts for the kids. It really is a special day both the parent and child won't forget," she says. "It's memorialized with a really cool picture with Santa, so it's one of those fun memories they can look back on with fondness."
Interfaith Family Services say almost half of renters in Dallas spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing. The organization says an average of more than 100 evictions are filed daily in Dallas County.
Interfaith also says the cost of providing holiday excitement has gone up, too. NerdWallet says the average family plans to spend $1,107 on presents this year, $182 more than last year.
The Purdue University College of Agriculture says turkey prices are 25% higher than last year, attributing the increase to a strain of bird flu leading to the smallest flock in 40 years.
At Interfaith Family Services, Williams says the organization's goal is to prevent parents from choosing between housing stability and a Christmas celebration.
"Interfaith Family Services has provided housing help and hope for homeless families or families facing homelessness for more than 40 years," she says.
More information is available at https://interfaithdallas.org/.