Local Heroes
For these we give thanks ... This month, we celebrate five local non-profits that make a powerful difference in people’s lives
Mission Arlington 210 W. South St. 817-277-6620
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or more than three decades Mission Arlington, led by Executive Director Tillie Burgin, has been “taking church to the people.” Last Thanksgiving, that manifested in meals being provided to a record-setting 26,095 area residents. Upwards of 600 people come to the Mission daily, and the need to provide for them increases as the holidays approach, Burgin says. “On Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day, beginning at 8 a.m., volunteers are needed at our offices downtown to deliver Thanksgiving food to people in need. We finish by noon,” Burgin says. “We appreciate all our volunteers. Their help is needed throughout the year, but especially before Thanksgiving to donate Thanksgiving turkeys and Thanksgiving food.” Food needed to create Thanksgiving baskets includes turkeys, hams, stuffing mix, vegetables, canned fruit, canned sweet potatoes, canned pie filling, cranberry sauce, boxes of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, beans/rice, tuna, peanut butter, rolls and pie crust. Burgin says volunteers are also needed to prepare and pack Thanksgiving baskets, and to deliver food on Nov. 22. For more: missionarlington.org
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ocated northeast of the University of Texas at Arlington campus, The Salvation Army’s Family Life Center and Youth Education Town in Arlington meet the needs of a broad cross-section of the community. The center provides opportunities for worship, education, recreation, music and community activities. The Family Life Center provides a shelter designed to take families from being homeless to being stable and productive members of society. It is one of the few shelters in the area where families are 712 W. Abram St. • 817-860-1836 able to live together as they strive to get back on their feet. Activities within the Family Life Center include the job skills, parenting classes, finance classes and more. The North Texas Youth Education Town meets the needs of youth and families by dealing with educational, spiritual and health issues. The program consists of an after school program, summer day camp, homework assistance, music, dance, arts and more. For more: salvationarmydfw.org
The Salvation Army
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ARLINGTON TODAY • November 2018 • arlingtontoday.com
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rlington Life Shelter was created in 1987 to promote self-sufficiency by providing shelter, employment programs and transitional services for North Texans impacted by homelessness. It is one of the few shelters in the DFW area with a work requirement. The agency’s philosophy is that in order to regain self-sufficiency, one must have the ability to secure and maintain employment to produce a steady income. Services include basic food and shelter, comprehensive case management, employment 325 W. Division St. services and education for adults and children. One of the shelter’s primary programs, Project Santa, is largely funded through donations, which 817- 548-9885 can be made in the from of gift cards, gift donations and financial donations. Arlington Life Shelter also welcomes volunteers to help with Project Santa by serving food and participating in activities with the children there. For more: arlingtonlifeshelter.org
Arlington Life Shelter
Lifeline Shelter
2341 S. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie 972-642-7744
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ifeLine Shelter’s mission is to reduce homelessness among families of school children in crisis who are enrolled in the Grand Prairie Independent School District, by providing emergency assistance, temporary shelter and life skills training for their parents. This past fall, its 14th annual Gospel Concert raised some $13,000 to help financially stabilize homeless children in GPISD by assisting with rent for their families. In February, Lifeline Shelter will host the 10th annual Soup’s On for Lunch fund-raiser event, during which GPISD staff and Partners in Education members provide an array of homemade soups. Profits from the event will go to help students in need in the district. If you can’t attend, donations are accepted to further the Lifeline Shelter cause. Lifeline Shelter also is the beneficiary of the annual Freedom Luncheon, held in June, which features a meal, a live auction and a silent auction. During the most recent Freedom Luncheon, Lifeline Shelter was presented a check for $100,000 to go toward its mission of helping children and families of children in GPISD. For more: lifelineshelter.org
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ansfield Cares is the No. 1 supporter of Mansfield charities seeking to meet the health, wellness and educational needs of the Mansfield community. Partner programs include The Caring Place Clinic, the Harvesting International Ministries Caring Center Food Bank, the Mansfield ISD Scholarship Program, the Common Ground Network Back to School Program, the Helping Hands - Wesley Mission Center Family Assistance Program, the Payless Shoe Source - MISD Shoe Program and the Common 990 Hwy. 287, Suite 106-185 Ground - Angel Tree Program. Mansfield Cares has received more than $2.5 million in donations since it started in 1999. There are 817-269-1915 many ways to donate, whether by contributing funds, getting involved, or spreading the word within the Mansfield community. Mansfield Cares uses donations to support and coordinate with partner programs to provide food, wellness programs and education programs for those in need in Mansfield. For more: mansfieldcares.org
Mansfield Cares
arlingtontoday.com • November 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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