Feb 8, 2016
Duncanville Outreach Ministry
Website: duncanvilleoutreachministry.com
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the hungry in North Texas?
One of our greatest challenges is being able to get the food we need to keep our food pantry stocked in order to provide the families coming in with a variety of food to prepare meals with.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the hungry?
We provide food on a monthly basis to families in need in Duncanville.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
We have several families going through cancer treatments, and they have told us that being able to receive food on a monthly basis is a tremendous help. We have also been able to help one family with car repairs to get them back and forth to their medical treatments. Others we have been able to help with rent as the medical bills continue to increase.
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
In 2016, we want to make sure we are reaching as many seniors in our community as possible that are living on minimal social security. There are special programs that can help them with their electric bills and we want to make sure as many as possible get set up for the assistance.
Feb 3, 2016
NETWORK of Community Ministries
Website: thenetwork.org
Twitter: @NETWORKimpacts
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the hungry in North Texas?
NETWORK distributes 10,000 pounds of food each week, and our food warehouse must maintain a minimum of 40,000 pounds of food on hand to meet the demand of the hungry in our community. Currently, the biggest challenge facing NETWORK is getting food donations into the building. We have seen a decrease in food drive participation within the community, as well as a decrease in the amount of food coming in from food drives. Simply stated, NETWORK cannot run out of food if we are to keep addressing hunger in the lives of our neighbors.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the hungry?
NETWORK often encounters clients whose entire sense of stability rests on a few hundred dollars of rent or utility assistance — not a lot of money to most but, to someone who is facing having their electricity or water turned off or homelessness with their children, it’s everything.
NETWORK remains on the frontlines of basic needs survival for impoverished families, individuals and seniors. Hundreds come to NETWORK each week for help, and 90 percent will request and receive food assistance, and for numerous disabled elderly, we’re making home food deliveries each week. Food is a basic human need, and is the centerpiece of NETWORK’S services.
Second, yet equally paramount, is having a place to live. The fear of becoming homeless is a constant worry among the poor. Our homeless prevention services give temporary lodging to families facing displacement due to abandonment or eviction. NETWORK also will pay utilities to help stabilize a crisis. Clothing is another basic need we address for family members from 0 to 85+ in age. Four times a year, families can select garments from our clothing center.
Our mission is every family’s mission; to care, coach and empower our neighbors in need as they seek an improved quality of life.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
Recently, an extremely intelligent, devoted, and hardworking 36-year-old mother of two came in for rent assistance. She lost her job in November as an insurance claims adjuster, and with Christmas just around the corner, she was barely getting by on unemployment.
She went from having a dependable salary of $46,000 a year to the constant struggle of caring for her two children on a meager subsistence of less than $23,000 per year. Because searching for a job was proving futile, she was terrified that she and her children might become homeless. This single mother did not need much, a mere $200 would solve her problem, but she was at a loss as to where to find the help she needed.
This NETWORK client had suffered such a streak of harsh luck that when NETWORK interviewers met with her, she was positive that she would not receive the help she so desperately needed—she was ready to hear “no.”
When she was told NETWORK was going to help her, she wept tears of relief. The dedicated volunteers at NETWORK went the extra mile that day, and took this mother to our Toyland Express Store to see to it that this family got holiday presents. Eventually our client got a job with United HealthCare, where she will be able to work from home, ensuring that she can provide adequate care for her children while also earning a living.
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
We have several exciting additions coming up that will make NETWORK the go-to resource for the job seeking community. One of our big upcoming projects is the renovation of our Job Resource Center.
We’ve discovered the most effective way to fight poverty is to support our clients in securing jobs which will allow them to earn a good living. Many of our clients desire a stable career, but they need help in developing the skills required to get a good job. Our job Resource Center will provide the three missing pieces to the employability puzzle; GED, language proficiency, and entry level job skills.
- What else should North Texas residents know about your work?
An unexpected crisis could change any of our lives. Each of us at any moment could find ourselves in a situation requiring the care and compassion of an organization like NETWORK. The Richardson community has stepped up consistently through NETWORK to help neighbors in need. It takes everyone pulling together as a community to make the work we do possible. We at NETWORK continue to be amazed and humbled by the support of generous donors, and the work of committed volunteers, they make NETWORK what it is, a beacon of hope in the community.
Jan 29, 2016
Promise House
Website: promisehouse.org
Twitter: @PromiseHouse
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the homeless and the hungry in North Texas?
Meeting the immense needs of the local homeless youth population using limited resources can be a great challenge. According to the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, more than 1,264 Dallas County youth experience homelessness on any given night. Only 30 emergency shelter beds in Dallas County are available to community youth who are not under the state’s care, and they are all located in the Emergency Youth Shelter at Promise House.
Promise House currently works with six area high schools to combat the issues of hunger and homelessness by staffing drop-in centers where homeless children enrolled in the high school can receive crisis intervention, food and hygiene supplies.
This service is key to supporting youth. Expansion to more high schools would be helpful in our community, however accruing the necessary resources for success can be challenging. The Dallas Morning News Charities campaign is instrumental in helping agencies like Promise House provide the homeless and the hungry with food, clothing and other basic essentials.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the homeless and the hungry?
Promise House moves abused, abandoned and neglected youth toward safety and success. The organization offers no-cost emergency shelter, transitional housing, pregnant and parenting teen support, outreach services, counseling, life skills training and education assistance to homeless and runaway youth ages 0 to 24. Our comprehensive programs connect at-risk youth with the resources and support they need to become healthy, self-sufficient adults.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
Justin* could never picture himself earning a high school diploma. At age 17, his parents found out about his sexual orientation and kicked him out of the house. Forced to drop out of school, Justin moved from couch to couch before enrolling in the Transitional Living Program at Promise House.
This summer, Justin finished his coursework and graduated with his GED. He plans to begin college next year, where he will study interactive simulation design.
“The people at Promise House are so supportive,” Justin said. “I have always had trouble staying focused on achieving what I want, but the great people at Promise House taught me that I can do things if I push myself hard enough. Everyone just needs support, and that’s what Promise House did for me. They make me happy every time I see them.”
*Note: Name has been changed to protect the privacy of our client.
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
Because our residential programs face increased demand from both community youth and minors in state custody, Promise House has expanded the Emergency Youth Shelter’s capacity to provide temporary housing to more children and teens with nowhere else to turn.
We recently re-repurposed existing rooms on our campus to house 10 new Emergency Youth Shelter beds and began serving 30 shelter clients at a time in November 2015. In 2016, we will focus on providing all of our youth with basic necessities, educational opportunities, mental and physical health care, and placement in safe, loving homes.
This year will mark a an exciting opportunity to renew our strategic plan. Assessing the community demand and creating residential expansion and service enhancements will continue to place Promise House in a responsive mode ensuring that community needs are addressed as the client landscape is continually changing.
- What else should North Texas residents know about your work?
We would like North Texas residents to know about the many ways to support Promise House youth through volunteering. Our agency could not function without the support of our more than 1,200 annual volunteers.
Individually, they act as much-needed positive role models and mentors, and they help with everything from coordinating recreational activities to leading life skills training for our youth. Group volunteers host special events – from holiday parties to community field trips – and also provide invaluable assistance during our fundraising events. For more information, please visit http://promisehouse.org/how-to-help/volunteer/.
Jan 27, 2016
Arlington Life Shelter
Website: arlingtonlifeshelter.org
Twitter: @ArlLifeShelter
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the homeless and the hungry in North Texas?
One of the biggest challenges is serving singles, as many people have a heart for families and especially children, but it takes special people to understand that everyone was once somebody’s baby. Also, in Arlington, a big challenge is the lack of public transportation.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the homeless and the hungry?
The mission of Arlington Life Shelter is to provide short-term shelter and support services that help our neighbors who are homeless integrate into society and become contributors to a thriving community. We offer food, shelter and hope to those in need, with the goal of helping people no longer need assistance from shelters like ours in the future.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
“I got the interview!” He beamed with pride as he gushed to share the good news with his Case Manager.
When he graduated last May, he had a degree in his pocket and debt on his back. Competing in the job market was tough, as youth and inexperience were not on his side. He flipped burgers through high school and college, but that wasn’t paying the bills now.
That’s how he found himself picking out second-hand clothing and strutting for the Resident Assistants that morning as he headed out the door to catch a ride. That night he busted the doors down with excitement as he exclaimed, “I got the job!”
Soon reality hit, though. With no car, poor credit and limited public transportation options, it was going to be tough to get back and forth to the new job in Irving. His buddy gave him a ride to the interview, but how likely was that to continue in the long run?
Still, he had to make it work. The buddy worked nearby, and they split gas money for a while. When that wasn’t working anymore, he talked co-workers into carpooling, meeting offsite so they wouldn’t know where he stayed each night. He was exhausted, but still worked the burger job some nights and every weekend. It was tricky but by using the shelter as the stopgap it is, he was able to save up his money. When he left Arlington Life Shelter, he drove his own car to his own apartment, able to make his own way in the world.
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
Usually we see the shelters empty out a bit after the cold weather, but this year we have been full almost every night. We’ve noticed an increase in residents entering the program with jobs, and they still can’t make ends meet. This year, we’ve started working even more with people to manage their money and make good long-term decisions so they can make the most of their resources. We know that solving poverty is more than just handing out food and telling people to get jobs. We are really working to help break through the mindset of poverty and we see successes as former clients come back to help as volunteers and donors.
- What else should North Texas residents know about your work?
Eighty-nine men, women and children left the shelter this morning — sack lunch in hand — headed off to school, work and job hunting.
Six went searching for an apartment, the newest clients referred for housing programs.
Thirty-three went off to jobs in our community — one caught a ride over to his job at the General Motors plant, others on their way to restaurant, day labor and office jobs. Ten slung their backpacks on and headed to AISD classrooms.
Eighteen hit the pavement to resume their job search. Another 12 gathered their meager belongings and hit the streets, not yet willing to believe they can change their lives and back to homelessness until the next cold night or hot day drives them to seek shelter. One exited this morning, spending tonight in his own apartment after saving up and getting clean. Last lunch sack in hand, he walked out the door and into his new life.
Jan 22, 2016
Austin Street Center
Website: austinstreet.org
Twitter: @AustinStreetCtr
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the homeless and the hungry in North Texas?
- Women make up 42 percent of homeless population but only 30 percent of shelter capacity is reserved for them. We need to expand women’s shelter resources in Dallas.
- More people are staying homeless longer, and they are getting older. Largest demographic of homeless adults are quickly approaching their 60s and often have medical conditions of someone approaching their 70s. This means that we need housing and funding models that address the medical and mental health needs of chronically homeless individuals of this age. These individuals are less likely to transition to typical employment opportunities and need expensive programing to support their daily living.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the homeless and the hungry?
- Austin Street Center is tasked with providing safe shelter and meeting the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless in Dallas. This means that our role in the homeless system is to provide accessible shelter and food for over 400 individuals which makes up over one-third of the emergency shelter capacity in Dallas, and over 12 percent of all homeless individuals in Dallas.
- Our services are more than just a meal and a bed. It is after homeless individuals feel safe and secure that they can begin imagining something different for their lives. Our services are providing hope and an environment of supported growth.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
When Susan first arrived at Austin Street Center she said, “I was destitute. I felt alone and helpless. There’s a death of a body coming from lack of food and I had that.” Her eyesight was deteriorating. “I couldn’t see to do anything. I couldn’t even see to go get my food” when it was served.
Others at Austin Street helped her, and the Case Managers “did everything, making sure I got food and got showers and whatever I needed.” A victim of identity theft, she was not able to recover her identity on her own. Susan praises the Case Managers at Austin Street Center who worked diligently to get her Social Security number again. “They had to work and work on it to get things straight. I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
She adds that, “I think I would have died if it weren’t for Austin Street.” Not only did she have physical issues, but had lost hope. “It’s far worse to have a death of the spirit than a death of the body.”
Observing that Susan’s eyesight was deteriorating, her Case Managers arranged to have her vision tested and she was diagnosed with advanced cataracts. Surgery on her right eye “changed everything! I can see!”
She will soon be scheduled for surgery on her other eye and is feeling positive about it. In fact, she now feels hope about other aspects of her life as well and looks forward to the future. Now that she has recovered her identity, she will soon be able to apply for Social Security. She’s excited about the income and hopes to supplement it with part-time work as a cake decorator. After her surgery, her Case Managers will continue to work with her and will assist Susan in selecting the appropriate housing for her when she is ready to leave Austin Street Center.
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
Austin Street Center is excited to announce the opening of increased services for our most vulnerable women. Our women’s program will include increased shelter capacity for 15 women in a newly refurbished dorm room, and most importantly daytime programming which will include music and art classes, mental health support groups, and an array of services to address their unique needs.
- What else should North Texas residents know about your work?
Austin Street Center serves individuals experiencing homelessness, but the causes of homelessness are as varied as the individuals who find shelter here. We assist our clients in overcoming issues related to substance abuse, mental health, sexual exploitation, developmental disabilities, medical challenges, and domestic violence, to name a few.
Thanks to the expertise of our case management staff and our amazing community partners, we are able to help our clients to overcome the challenges which brought them here. We would welcome anyone who has a passion for the work that we do to come down to Austin Street and get involved. It is only because of the support of our generous Dallas community that we are ready and able to serve anyone who comes to our door.
Jan 19, 2016
City House
Website: cityhouse.org
Twitter: @TexasCityHouse
- What do you see as one or two of the greatest challenges to helping the homeless and the hungry in North Texas?
The greatest challenges of helping homeless youth is raising awareness of the reality of its existence in an affluent area like Collin County, and the much-needed donations it takes to operate our emergency shelter and Transitional Living Program (TLP).
Homelessness has risen 112 percent in Dallas suburbs over the last 10 years and with more and more people moving into the area, the problem unfortunately is not going away. People in North Texas do care and are very giving, and the more that get educated on the issue, the more resources can be secured in making a difference in these young peoples’ lives. The second part of the challenge is getting past the stereotypes; most are good kids who left an unstable home life and simply need some direction and help.
- How would you describe your mission, and how are you specifically helping the homeless and the hungry?
City House’s mission is to Protect Youth, Empower Change, and Transform Lives, working with at-risk youth due to abuse, neglect or homelessness. Our emergency shelter works closely with Child Protective Services and kids who have been removed from their homes, as well as runaways, with the goal of getting them back home or in foster care as soon as possible. Our TLP program serves homeless young adults, ages 18-21. We own several homes in both Plano and Frisco, where we give them room and board, as well as help and counsel them toward their goals, teaching them how to stand on their own two feet.
- Can you give us an example of a person (named or unnamed) who has benefited from your services? How have they benefited? If it’s appropriate, tell us a short story.
As Lexii was growing up in Murphy, her parents were in a custody battle and constantly going at it. So she decided to leave home at 17.
“When you’re a kid, you can’t leave,” she said, “but I felt I had to. I completely dropped out of school, I just stopped as I was entering my senior year.”
Lexii quickly realized she needed to finish high school, had heard about City House and figured it was worth a try. She joined the Transitional Living Program and started working toward her GED.
“I got a job and I was working with a City House tutor for math, which has always given me trouble,” she said. “I was in the program for about six or seven months, then decided to return to school and finish all my classes and get the real thing after I left.”
Now Lexii is married and her husband is going to school. She’s got a job and just bought a new car. Her husband is in the Navy and they will be moving to Florida in April, where he will be stationed. She’s doing well, and credits much of that to what she learned at City House.
“I learned to be responsible, for once,” she said. “City House helped me grow up a lot. I embraced the program — it taught me how to adapt to change and deal with situations. It was a good balance in the staff helping us while we had a lot of independence to learn to help ourselves, too. I think it’s a really good to have someone to fall back on, but it teaches us to help ourselves first.”
Lexii thinks City House is a good option for teens who need a place to turn.
“I would recommend City House to any teen that needed help,” she said. “I’d tell them to get in the right mindset and be prepared to help yourself. City House provides so much and the rules of the program are like any other home. It’s different when you get in it; you may have to adjust to following the rules, but you learn from them. I told one of my friends they should come here. It did a lot for me.”
- Is there anything new that you are focused on for the coming year? Any new initiatives?
City House is very focused on increasing efforts with the outreach program, talking more and more with school administrators and counselors in an effort to reach more kids. The goal is to get to the family-conflict problems early before they turn into teen-homeless situations. We’re talking with both students and parents who are dealing with issues at home and working with them to find a solution. Stopping homelessness before it happens is a top priority as we continue to grow.
- What else should North Texas residents know about your work?
North Texas residents need to understand that the reality of youth homelessness exists, even in affluent areas. So many are still surprised at the numbers reported by the school districts and never even had a thought that places like City House are needed to help. The unfortunate part is that it is not going away; as the population continues to rise, so will youth homelessness. Family conflict exists in every household in America, and too often that leads to a teen leaving or getting kicked out. It takes a community to make a difference and the more people know, the more avenues we have to help.
