Partners and Volunteers
I hope this Update unveils a deeper understanding of NDSM and the importance of partnerships that bring hands-on services to our clients and patients.
NDSM works best in partnership. It was conceived as a partnership of interfaith congregations who could establish a secular agency together that could better meet the needs of the low-income, vulnerable community than each could do separately.
On a recent Thursday, eight Highland Park UMC members spent the evening filling grocery sacks in the pantry warehouse and unpacking men’s work pants in the Clothes Closet. On a Saturday, 20 Peace Mennonite members spent the morning volunteering in the Pantry and Clothes Closet. In both instances, we also sat together and talked about NDSM; church members were “blown away” to discover the breadth and depth of NDSM’s work.
Most recently, a group of NDSM volunteers and community stakeholders met on a Friday afternoon to discuss NDSM. A leader from Temple Emanu El noted that most people in her congregation think NDSM only provides food for those in need. Another person said NDSM is Dallas’s best-kept secret.
Health and Wellness
Providing eyeglasses has been a part of our mission for over twenty-five years. A volunteer once remarked that it is our happiest program because the result is so immediate when individuals wear their glasses. A few days ago, a woman picked up her glasses, tried them on, and said with glee, “I can see!” Once each month, the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation mobile unit, club members, and an optometrist, who closes her practice for the morning, are at NDSM checking the vision, fitting frames, and treating with care and dignity the 20-30 people who we have prescreened. At a cost to NDSM of $15 per pair of glasses, the Lions Club and NDSM are transforming lives.
The change in our relationship with UTSW meant the loss of no-cost adult flu vaccines. When asked, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services stepped forward to fill the void. County staff were on site nine days between October and February, providing COVID, flu, and M/pox immunizations and STi testing. In total, 1,112 adults and children received vaccinations and tests valued at $75,000.
The Mobile Health Program of Texas Health Resources brings its mobile mammogram unit to NDSM monthly to provide screening mammograms. If follow-up care, including a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and/or biopsy, is needed, THR gives it free. Moncrief Cancer Institute provides the same no-cost services. In addition, on the first Friday of the month, Moncrief staff is on-site to perform colposcopy screenings for cervical cancer.
Dental hygiene (teeth cleaning) is now available every Thursday afternoon when Texas A&M College of Dentistry students and their professors are on site. Providing dentures for seniors over 60 remains a life-changing service. Don’s few teeth are mostly broken, But he has volunteered in the pantry. We just learned of his service as a tunnel rat in Vietnam – experiences he does not discuss. He is touchingly grateful.
To complement our nutrition education services, our Registered Dietician has enrolled NDSM in the Walk-with-a-Doc program, and monthly walks at Bachman Lake are happening and open to all. Periodic evening dance and exercise classes are also part of this program.
Our mental health counselor has scheduled five Saturday grief therapy sessions beginning in March.
Food and Finance
Tuesday and Thursday evenings are particularly animated as 8-12 volunteers and Foundation Communities staff are working with households to complete their federal tax returns - to date, over 2,000 with expected refunds of $2M have been filed. At the same time, five English-as-a-second-language classes are held in the conference, pantry, break, interview, and administration rooms. And the parking lot does not have an available slot. It’s a thrilling experience to leave the building and realize that day and night, NDSM is doing so much for so many.
I could not end without mentioning the increasing number of households needing food. In February, the daily average was 164. On January 17th, 203 households received food, the highest number in our history. With limited availability of items from the North Texas Food Bank, we are grateful for the bread ministries of St. Rita’s, St. Monica’s, University UMC, and the American Legion, as well as for the gleaning programs of Holy Cross, St Luke’s, Peace Mennonite and Christ Lutheran congregations.
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Lastly, with great gratitude, it is an honor to report that the Strategic Financial Campaign is off to a strong start. The Governing Board and Campaign Committee hope for your support now and as you consider your estate plan.
I hope this Update unveils a deeper understanding of NDSM and the importance of partnerships that bring hands-on services to our clients and patients.
NDSM works best in partnership. It was conceived as a partnership of interfaith congregations who could establish a secular agency together that could better meet the needs of the low-income, vulnerable community than each could do separately.
On a recent Thursday, eight Highland Park UMC members spent the evening filling grocery sacks in the pantry warehouse and unpacking men’s work pants in the Clothes Closet. On a Saturday, 20 Peace Mennonite members spent the morning volunteering in the Pantry and Clothes Closet. In both instances, we also sat together and talked about NDSM; church members were “blown away” to discover the breadth and depth of NDSM’s work.
Most recently, a group of NDSM volunteers and community stakeholders met on a Friday afternoon to discuss NDSM. A leader from Temple Emanu El noted that most people in her congregation think NDSM only provides food for those in need. Another person said NDSM is Dallas’s best-kept secret.
Health and Wellness
Providing eyeglasses has been a part of our mission for over twenty-five years. A volunteer once remarked that it is our happiest program because the result is so immediate when individuals wear their glasses. A few days ago, a woman picked up her glasses, tried them on, and said with glee, “I can see!” Once each month, the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation mobile unit, club members, and an optometrist, who closes her practice for the morning, are at NDSM checking the vision, fitting frames, and treating with care and dignity the 20-30 people who we have prescreened. At a cost to NDSM of $15 per pair of glasses, the Lions Club and NDSM are transforming lives.
The change in our relationship with UTSW meant the loss of no-cost adult flu vaccines. When asked, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services stepped forward to fill the void. County staff were on site nine days between October and February, providing COVID, flu, and M/pox immunizations and STi testing. In total, 1,112 adults and children received vaccinations and tests valued at $75,000.
The Mobile Health Program of Texas Health Resources brings its mobile mammogram unit to NDSM monthly to provide screening mammograms. If follow-up care, including a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and/or biopsy, is needed, THR gives it free. Moncrief Cancer Institute provides the same no-cost services. In addition, on the first Friday of the month, Moncrief staff is on-site to perform colposcopy screenings for cervical cancer.
Dental hygiene (teeth cleaning) is now available every Thursday afternoon when Texas A&M College of Dentistry students and their professors are on site. Providing dentures for seniors over 60 remains a life-changing service. Don’s few teeth are mostly broken, But he has volunteered in the pantry. We just learned of his service as a tunnel rat in Vietnam – experiences he does not discuss. He is touchingly grateful.
To complement our nutrition education services, our Registered Dietician has enrolled NDSM in the Walk-with-a-Doc program, and monthly walks at Bachman Lake are happening and open to all. Periodic evening dance and exercise classes are also part of this program.
Our mental health counselor has scheduled five Saturday grief therapy sessions beginning in March.
Food and Finance
Tuesday and Thursday evenings are particularly animated as 8-12 volunteers and Foundation Communities staff are working with households to complete their federal tax returns - to date, over 2,000 with expected refunds of $2M have been filed. At the same time, five English-as-a-second-language classes are held in the conference, pantry, break, interview, and administration rooms. And the parking lot does not have an available slot. It’s a thrilling experience to leave the building and realize that day and night, NDSM is doing so much for so many.
I could not end without mentioning the increasing number of households needing food. In February, the daily average was 164. On January 17th, 203 households received food, the highest number in our history. With limited availability of items from the North Texas Food Bank, we are grateful for the bread ministries of St. Rita’s, St. Monica’s, University UMC, and the American Legion, as well as for the gleaning programs of Holy Cross, St Luke’s, Peace Mennonite and Christ Lutheran congregations.
…
Lastly, with great gratitude, it is an honor to report that the Strategic Financial Campaign is off to a strong start. The Governing Board and Campaign Committee hope for your support now and as you consider your estate plan.
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