- One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is families with children; in fact, families with children comprise 40% of the homeless population (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2004)]
- Substance abusers account for about 30 percent of the homeless population in the United States (Report: U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2004)
- More than 600,000 men, women and children go homeless each night in the United States, according to figures provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ministries
Body and Soul Ministry
Body & Soul provides hot meals on weekends that are cooked on site by volunteers, filling a gap when meals for the homeless are scarce. Meals are served along with inspirational messages, praise, and song. Body & Soul emphasizes the arts in the belief that music, visual arts, and creative writing are pathways to celebrating, praising and healing. The HPPC team, which serves on the third Saturday morning of each month, is seeking a volunteer or team of volunteers who will help develop a music ministry. “Turn on the music” is the first request we hear as we prepare breakfast and visit with our breakfast guests. Prayerfully consider if this is an opportunity the Lord is calling you to explore, and call Mary Armstrong at 214-321-6648 for more information.
Union Gospel Mission
The Union Gospel Mission men’s shelter Calvert Place provides over-night lodging and meals for up to 230 men per night. Bible studies and gospel services are held nightly to enable guests to hear the gospel and receive Jesus Christ and enter an environment where they can be nurtured in the Christian faith. A discipleship program is offered for individuals to transition back into productive lives. The new women and children’s shelter, Center of Hope, opened in February 2002. The Center food, lodging and clothing on an emergency basis and also has a discipleship program with transitional housing and life skill classes center on the Gospel.
Contact Paul Galahity at 214-637-6117 or paulg@ugmdallas.org for more information about volunteering at Calvert Place or the Center of Hope.
Interfaith Housing Coalition
To provide three-month transitional housing, combined with programming in employment, budgeting, parenting, and living skills, for Dallas area homeless families. Interfaith’s most fundamental mission is to be the “hands of Christ” to families in need. Utilizing a holistic approach to attack the root causes of homelessness, Interfaith Housing Coalition empowers its residents to obtain full-time permanent employment, rebuild their lives and families and sustain long term self sufficiency.
For more information on how you can support this worthwhile ministry, contact them at: 214-827-7220 Offices 214-827-1347 Executive & Development Fax 214-451-3198. You may visit their website at: www. interfaithhousingcoalition.org
Austin Street Center
This mission to the homeless has both a residential and pastoral care program offering help and hope to 350+ men, women and children each day. Persons staying at the Centre are provided with their basic needs such as food, showers, clothing, personal items and over the counter medications. In addition to the basics, Austin St. provides medical and psychiatric clinics in relationship with Southwestern Medical School that provides four psychiatric residents and two psychological interns for the ministries programs.
For more information on how you can support this faith based ministry, you may contact them at Austin Street Centre P.O. Box 710729 Dallas, Texas 75371-0729. Phone: 214-428-4242 or you may wish to email them at shelterspk@austinst.org. Website: www.austinst.org
The Stewpot
First Presbyterian Church Stewpot The Stewpot attacks the problems of poverty and homelessness, not just with a hand-out, but with a hand-up to those who can and do return to a productive life. The noon meal provides a framework for delivering a variety of needed social services to the homeless and at-risk of our city, including free dental and medical services, inner city youth programs, drug and alcohol counseling, identification documentation, employment assistance, mail service, and a representative payee program.
Contact Paul Galahity at 214-637-6117 or paulg@ugmdallas.org for more information about volunteering at Calvert Place or the Center of Hope.
