Providing a variety of services to individuals and families in need

In 1998, Project Interdependence was founded as part of the national welfare reform to move families from dependency on welfare to self-sufficiency through employment.  Since the inception of this program, services have evolved to meet the multiple needs and concerns identified as barriers in low-income households.

Project Interdependence provides holistic, wrap-around services that meet the needs of individuals and families seeking services.  Project Interdependence serves welfare recipients and other low-income persons, most of whom are single mothers with children, who are facing a variety of barriers to successful employment, individuals with permanent disability, the working poor, and recently unemployed. 

Each service available through Project Interdependence has specific goals designed to meet the needs of the target population:

Mentoring: Project Interdependence staff recruit, train, and support volunteers from the community to provide assistance to families transitioning from welfare to work. Volunteer teams of two to five people offer mentoring and friendship, along with such practical assistance as employment coaching, budgeting, household management, and transportation. Each team commits to making weekly contact with their assigned family for one year. In most cases, the teams continue to work with their assigned family far beyond the one-year commitment.

Protective Payee Services:  In order to ensure that children continue to have their basic needs met, we provide financial management services and counseling to parents and others who have difficulty managing their own finances and are in danger of losing their welfare benefits.  As part of this program, we help participants develop monthly budgets, working with them to help stretch their limited resources to cover basic necessities.  We also provide payee services for disabled who may be vulnerable, and mentally impaired individuals receiving Social Security benefits.  If you receive Social Security benefits, and would link to have a payee provider, please contact Bria Zimmerman at (253) 383-3056, ext. 109 or email briaz@associatedministries.org.

Intensive Case Management Services: Project Interdependence staff provides intensive case management services to help low-income clients with their home environment, the well-being of their children, and employment-related skills such as problem-solving and self-esteem. We help clients identify their barriers to employment then develop steps to overcome those barriers.  We work closely with other service providers, volunteers, and each family to develop a service plan that identifies activities and goals toward obtaining and retaining employment.

Resource referrals for low-income families

Project Interdependence improves access to needed services:

• Community Resource Guide: To increase awareness of available resource in the community, Project Interdependence uses an array of communication avenues to help circulate information to those in need.  In this guide, resource such as food banks, emergency and transitional housing program, and health care services all across Pierce County are easily located.  For a copy of this guide, click here.
  
  
• Monthly Newsletters: Project Interdependence publishes a monthly newsletter that goes out to our clients, local clergy and volunteers.  The monthly newsletters provided ongoing information about available resources in the community, special events and more.  To receive a copy of Project Interdependence newsletter, contact valoriec@associatedministries.org.

Community Connections Resource Center: In collaboration with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Project Interdependence connects eligible individuals to Washington State benefits.  These benefits include: the Basic Food Program, Working Connections Child Care, Medical Assistance Programs, ADATSA for drug or alcohol treatment, cash benefits, TANF-WorkFirst program which provides an array of programs and/or services to help families with children; and Disability Lifeline (formally called GAU) program that helps individuals who are not able to work due to a disability.   Other resources available through the center include: High school completion/GED programs, job training, soft skills, resume building, interview skills, dress for success, computer training, telephone assistance programs, parenting support.  For further information about this resource center, or to schedule an appointment, email Melinda at melindac@associatedministries.org.

Mail service for homeless individuals:  In partnership with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Project Interdependence provides a mail service for individuals who are homeless and who also receive benefits through the Department of Social and Health Services.  For more information about this service, please contact Chandra at chandras@associatedministries.org.

Associated Ministries’ Family Emergency Fund: There are resources available throughout the community for families in need but often we see families with needs for which there is no general help.  These can be situations that, for most of us, would be minor but for families struggling to make ends meet they can be catastrophic, even putting families at risk of joblessness or homelessness. Thus, Project Interdependence manages the Family Emergency Fund, which is used to assist individuals and families with unusual and extreme needs that other agencies and outreach programs are not designed to meet.  The requests for this fund are normally minor expenses such as proper identification, screening fees to secure housing, clothing and tools for work, and help with transportation to work.  For further information about this project, or to apply for funding, please contact Valorie at valoriec@associatedministries.org.

For further information about the services provided through Project Interdependence, or to become involved, please contact Valorie Crout at 253-383-3056 ext. 108, or email valoriec@associatedministries.org.