Homeless Shelters / Women's Shelters: Volunteer Opps and Experiences? (Dallas, Plano: home, train)

[lunaling]

I want to volunteer at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or women's shelter in the Dallas or Plano area and am in the process of trying to find the best fit for me...ideally, I want to find a place suitable for a long-term volunteering opportunity. Any suggestions or experiences you can share? Thanks so much!

[TurtleCreek80]

There is a homeless shelter in Collin County- think it's in McKinney- called the Samaritan Inn that gets regular volunteers from my company.

There is a wonderful "transitional housing" place for kids who are fleeing bad home situations in Collin County (Plano) called My Friend's Place.

If you want to get a good list of agencies, I highly recommend checking the Junior League of Plano and the Junior League of Dallas websites for the agencies they volunteer/ support. Junior League has pretty stingent requirements - agencies must have a clear need for volunteers and specific work for the volunteers to do (no wasted time which is frustrating for volunteers when agencies are unorganized), agencies must serve the Dallas area to promote health, education, economic welfare, family, and the arts, agencies must be well-run (ie, no crooked leaders squandering money or embezzling, etc).

[MurphyPl1]

Hope's Door is the only domestic violence agency serving Collin County. They are always looking for volunteers. They are located in Plano near Collin Creek mall.

[Squirl]

Have you tried googling for the volunteer resource and referral service of your county?

[txplanomom]

Check into Genesis Women's Shelter in Dallas area near Love Field area and Hope's Door in Plano.

[TurtleCreek80]

Guys- please remember with domestic shelters NOT to give addresses or locations. You could put the ladies fleeing bad situation in harm's way.

[MurphyPl1]

Actually all of the domestic violence agencies in this area have offices separate from their emergency shelters and those addresses are public. And where donations and volunteers are processed.

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Guys- please remember with domestic shelters NOT to give addresses or locations. You could put the ladies fleeing bad situation in harm's way.

I facilitated a 12-step (out of codependency towards self esteem) program at a women's shelter for a couple of years. Every volunteer is thoroughly coached on maintaining victims' whereabouts private and every volunteer group will train volunteers on their policies to keep everyone safe. So, you will learn all that when you volunteer and until you are fully screened you won't have access to info that can harm women or children at the shelter.

[CherokeeStar]

Looks like no one has yet mentioned The Stewpot in downtown Dallas. You can learn about volunteer opportunities here: http://www.thestewpot.org/volunteer.asp.

There's also a great need at The Bridge in Dallas. More info here: : Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance :: Volunteer Opportunities : (http://www.mdhadallas.org/volunteer_opportunities.aspx - broken link)

The Volunteer Center can help you find the best match for you in terms of location, skills you want to use, etc. More info about them here: Volunteer Center of North Texas

[lunaling]

Thank you all so much. This info has been very helpful and I've found the right place for me.