Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

The Refugee Services program assists in the resettlement of refugees fleeing their homeland in fear of political, social, or religious persecution. Services provided include food, housing, transportation, and medical assistance; donated furniture, home furnishings and clothing; cultural orientation and case management; vocational training and employment assistance; translation and educational assistance; immigration/legal assistance; and other services designed to help refugees become self-sufficient within six months of arrival in Houston. Refugee Services partners with local congregations and civic groups to welcome refugees, and the program staff speaks two dozen languages, making refugees feel more at home in Houston. IMGH resettled over 1,600 refugees, over 90% of whom were self-sufficient within twelve months. IMGH also assisted another 6,100 new clients from thirty-seven countries with case management, employment, cash assistance and other supplemental services, for a total of over 7,700 individuals served. The Refugee Services program received $106,000 in donated services during this fiscal period.

Senior Services includes the Meals on Wheels program and the AniMeals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious weekday meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities across four counties, as well as breakfast and weekend meals to the most frail and isolated seniors. IMGH delivered almost 2.1 million meals, with an average of almost 5,000 seniors served each weekday. Over 1,400 individuals received additional breakfast meals and almost 2,000 seniors received additional weekend meals to supplement their daily lunch delivery. Approximately 8,000 seniors were assessed by IMGH's social services staff for nutritional and non-nutritional needs, and many were provided with case management services and referrals to partner agencies for additional services. IMGH's special Thanksgiving meal brightened the holiday of over 5,000 seniors. Meals on Wheels participants also received almost 46,000 shelf-stable meals in the summer and winter in case of weather emergencies. IMGH delivered over 5,000 donated items to seniors, including medical supplies, birthday treats and holiday gifts. The AniMeals on Wheels program delivers pet food to seniors with pets, so they do not have to share their limited food resources with their animal companions. This volunteer-driven service delivered almost 140,000 pounds of pet food to almost 740 pets. In addition, 30 pets received preventive veterinary care, such as vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and spay/neuter procedures, at no cost to our seniors. The Senior Services program received $56,000 in donated services during this fiscal period.