Mission
We Care bridges the gap between emergency and sustainability by providing one-time financial assistance to residents of Benton County.
Each week, We Care helps our neighbors pay for rent, utilities, and other expenses to prevent evictions and homelessness or the shut-off of water or electricity.
We Care was established in 1983 in order to allow the resources of several faith communities to share in providing the structure needed for judicious assistance to those seeking aid. We Care provides one-time financial assistance to residents of Benton County in emergency situations when:
No other help is available from public or private sources.
It appears that recipients will be able to manage successfully after a single assist.
The assistance most commonly needed is for rent and rental deposits, and for payment to electrical and water companies. This assistance often helps the recipient avoid eviction, get into permanent housing, or avoid the shut-off of important utilities. Other urgent needs are also considered for assistance. Checks are made out directly to the service agent and not to the applicant.
The one-time financial assistance provided by We Care helps our neighbors in need move through an immediate crisis towards a more stable and sustainable future. Beyond the financial assistance, We Care helps foster a spirit of understanding, inclusion, and compassion that touches both those served and those who serve.
In 2022, We Care helped 367 Benton County households, providing $170,427 of assistance when help from other sources was unavailable or inadequate.
These households included:
162 families with children, for a total of 356 children.
79 households with a member living with a disability.
93 households going through a major transition, including: 35 getting out of homelessness, 34 recovering from substance abuse, 21 leaving a domestic violence situation, 2 exiting the criminal justice system, and 1 refugee family.
We Care’s efforts are strengthened through the support of 18 faith communities and through the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and granting agencies.