Volunteer Rich Norton
loads Meals on Wheels lunches into his truck at the
Irving YMCA in April. The organization serves the elderly
and shut-ins.
Ron Baselice/DMN
Looking for a way to become
involved in a meaningful cause? Or do you need a helping
hand yourself? Either way, these listings provide
a starting point for checking out some of the many
organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area devoted
to assisting others. Look for additional listings
in The Dallas Morning News' zoned neighborhood sections
and at www.dallasnews.com/community.
Alzheimer's Association: Provides information and
support to families dealing with Alzheimer's. Greater Dallas
office is at 7610 N. Stemmons, Suite 600. 214-827-0062.
Fort Worth office is at 101 Summit Avenue, Suite 300. 817-336-4949
www.alz.org or www.alzdallas.org
American Red Cross: Several area chapters,
including ones in Dallas (214-678-4800) and Fort Worth (817-335-9137).
www.redcross.org.
A Wish With Wings: Since 1982, this organization
has been granting wishes for Texas children with life-threatening
diseases. 917 W. Sanford St., Arlington. 817-469-9474. www.awishwithwings.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Provides quality
volunteer and professional services, focusing on mentoring
relationships, to young people and assists them in achieving
their highest potential as they grow to become responsible
men and women. 1-888-887-2447 www.bbbsa.org
or
www.bbbsmentors.org.
Catholic Charities: A family of human service
agencies working together to strengthen families. Programs
include maternity and adoption services, day care, clinical
counseling, adult education, adolescent drug and alcohol
treatment, emergency assistance, senior citizen health and
nutrition services, refugee resettlement and immigration
services. Most of the people served are not Catholic. Numerous
locations in the D-FW area. In Dallas, call 214-520-6590
or visit www.catholiccharitiesdal.org.
In Fort Worth, call 817-534-0814, ext. 2242, or see www.ccdofw.org.
Central Dallas Ministries: Provides food,
health care, legal services, computer training and youth
programs at five program sites in East and South Dallas.
409 N. Haskell, Dallas. 214-823-8710, ext. 12. http://cdm-hope.org.
Court Appointed Special Advocates: Trained
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for
the best interests of abused or neglected children. This
national organization has several area chapters. 1-800-628-3233.
www.nationalcasa.org.
DFW International: Network of more than
1,600 ethnic, civic, educational and religious organizations
whose objective is to promote and coordinate North Texas'
ethnic and immigrant groups, empowering them as respected
members of the community and giving them a forum to share
and celebrate their cultural heritages. 214-340-9707. www.dfwinternational.org;
e-mail: aweiss@airmail.net.
Dallas Life Foundation: 500-bed shelter
in downtown Dallas serving men, women and children. Provides
food, clothing, shelter, drug and alcohol recovery program,
job readiness program and several on-the-job training opportunities.
214-421-1380, ext. 13. www.dallaslife.org.
Dallas Reads: Offers one-to-one basic literacy,
English as a second language and computer classes for Spanish-speaking
adults. 2902 Floyd St., Dallas. 214-821-7323. www.dallasreads.org.
Easter Seals Rehabilitation Services of Greater
Dallas: Outpatient rehabilitation center's mission
is to help children and adults with disabilities and special
needs achieve their highest level of self-esteem and independence,
regardless of ability to pay. Multiple locations. 972-394-8900.
www.easterseals.com.
Habitat for Humanity: Provides affordable
housing for people in need. Numerous area affiliates, including
ones in Dallas (214-827-4037) and Fort Worth (817-920-5850).
www.habitat.org.
Humane Society: Promotes the protection
of animals. Multiple shelters in the D-FW area, including
the Humane Society of Dallas County (214-350-7387) and Humane
Society of North Texas (817-332-4768). The Humane Society
of the United States operates a spay/neuter clinic at 4830
Village Fair Drive, Dallas. 214-372-9999.
www.hsus.org.
Make-A-Wish Foundation: Grants wishes to
children with life-threatening illnesses. 5005 LBJ Freeway,
Suite 410, Dallas. 972-450-9474. www.northtexaswish.org.
Meals on Wheels: Provides meals to the
elderly, people with disabilities and the homebound. Numerous
locations. 703-548-5558 (national office), 214-689-0639
(Dallas), 817-336-0912 (Fort Worth) or 972-562-6996, ext.
25 (Collin County). www.mowaa.org.
Operation Kindness: Describes itself as
the oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter in North Texas.
Cares for more than 3,000 animals each year until they are
adopted into responsible, loving homes. Has policy against
adopters' keeping animals unsupervised outside. 3201 Earhart
Drive, Carrollton. 972-418-7297, ext. 243. www.operationkindness.org.
Ronald McDonald House: A home-away-from-home
for families who have children being treated in area hospitals.
In Dallas, call 214-631-7354 or visit www.rmhdallas.com.
In Fort Worth, call 817-870-4942 or visit www.ftworthrmh.org.
The Arc: Serves people of all ages with
developmental disabilities. Several offices, including ones
in Dallas (2114 Anson Road) and Fort Worth (259 Bailey Ave.).
214-634-9810 or 817-877-1474. www.thearc.org.
The Dallas Morning News Charities: Raises
money for agencies that serve the hungry and homeless in
the community. The newspaper pays all administrative costs,
so 100 percent of the donations collected goes directly
to the agencies supported by The Charities. Mailing address:
P.O. Box 910845, Dallas, TX 75391-0845. http://charities.dallasnews.com.
The Senior Source: Nonprofit organization
has nine programs that help the very active to the most
frail older adults.1215 Skiles St., Dallas. 214-823-5700.
www.theseniorsource.org.
The Stewpot: Provides a variety of services
to the homeless, including free weekday lunches; medical,
dental and alcohol/drug treatment; casework assistance;
and educational and recreational programs for children and
adults. 1822 Young St., Dallas. 214-746-2785, ext. 240.
www.presbyterians.org/community.html.
The Warm Place: Grief support for children
and young adults. 809 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth. 817-870-2272.
Volunteer Center of North Texas: For 30 years, this agency
has supplied volunteers and goods to the nonprofit agencies
of the D-FW area. Locations in Collin, Dallas and Tarrant
counties. 214-826-6767. www.volunteernorthtexas.org.
