Last month, as the storms were closing in, we published a guide to helping Dallasites without shelter survive the freezing temperatures. Once the freezing temperatures arrived and snow started falling, dozens of nonprofits in North Texas began working around the clock to provide food, shelter, and warmth to these vulnerable individuals.
It didn’t take long for some of these organizations to exhaust their resources, and several have reached–and surpassed–a state of crisis. Domestic violence shelters are rebuilding their facilities after suffering from flooding, burst pipes, and irreparable damage. Nonprofits that house abused and neglected children depleted their food supplies and are just starting to restock. Many organizations need help to pay for the hundreds of hotel and motel rooms they booked to house unsheltered Dallasites. This guide will point you to immediate actions you can take to help.
Do you know of an organization in dire need of assistance to get through the next few weeks? Email [email protected] to add them to this guide. We will update regularly.
Genesis Women’s Shelter
Genesis Women’s Shelter provides a safe haven for women and children who are leaving abusive homes and relationships. When the storm hit, the organization had to evacuate residents for the first time in 35 years. The pipes burst in transitional housing unit Annie’s House, flooding apartments, offices, and the on-site school.
The news about the destruction at Genesis Women’s Shelter went international. Harry and Meghan’s foundation even made a financial commitment to help repair the Annie’s House roof. Still, there is more to be done, and every donation helps as the rebuilding process begins.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Donate money here or shop the organization’s Amazon Wish List here. You can also stop by The Rustic, which has partnered with Alto. Through March 8, for every Hot Chicken & Cheese Sandwich purchased for a family in need, The Rustic will match with another. Learn more here.
Grand Prairie Homeless Outreach Organization
Grand Prairie Homeless Outreach Organization paid for 70 motel rooms to house 83 individuals without shelter in Grand Prairie during the storm. From there, the organization distributed extra blankets, food packs, and other supplies to keep them warm in their motel rooms amid power outages. The organization needs financial donations to cover the cost of 70 motel rooms rented for 10 days and to replenish its funds for future services.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Click here to donate money.
Jonathan’s Place
Jonathan’s Place is a local nonprofit that provides a safe, loving environment to abused and neglected children, teens, and young adults. The inclement weather and power outages forced the organization to move the children in their care to another site. Additionally, a pipe burst in the Girls Residential Therapeutic Program cottage, rendering the facility uninhabitable. Jonathan’s Place needs financial donations for repairs and to purchase food and supplies for its residents.
Urgent Needs: Cash donations, non-perishable food, towels, blankets, battery-powered flashlights, and batteries.
Where to Donate: Donate goods at the Garland campus, 6065 Duck Creek Drive, starting Monday, February 22. Donate money here.
Mosaic Services
Mosaic Services is a safe haven for refugees and survivors of human rights abuses like domestic violence and sex trafficking. The nonprofit offers shelter, legal services, mental health services, client advocacy, and education programs. In anticipation of the storm, all shelter residents were moved to secure hotels. The first floor of the Mosaic Services facility has flooded, so its residents will have to remain in hotels until repairs can be made. Monetary donations will help offset the cost of repairs and accommodations.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Click here to donate.
OurCalling
OurCalling’s staff and volunteers worked around the clock to ensure Dallasites without homes were safe and warm. Most were stationed at the emergency weather shelter at the Convention Center. Some responded to reports of individuals who were out on the snowy streets and conducted search-and-rescues to bring them to safe locations. Several of these individuals suffered frostbite and were transported to hospitals for treatment. Without OurCalling’s intervention, they may have died. The organization needs donations to make repairs to its daytime outreach center, which had a sprinkler burst during the storm, and to continue to serve vulnerable Dallasites in a safe environment.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Click here to donate.
Our Friends Place
Our Friends Place empowers homeless and at-risk young women with the tools and skills they need to thrive. Its living center suffered a burst pipe, and all residents had to be moved. “We realize many of you have also been impacted, but we need your help to cover the emergency costs of repairing our young women’s home ASAP and giving everyone a temporary place to stay,” said the organization in a Facebook post.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Donate here.
The Salvation Army of North Texas
The Salvation Army of North Texas stepped up to convert several of its locations into temporary shelters and warming centers last week. Financial gifts will offset the costs of the food, supplies, and electricity used at these facilities.
Urgent Needs: Money. Cold-weather gear will also be accepted indefinitely to prepare individuals without homes for future storms and freezing temperatures. You can drop off new or gently used blankets, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and hand warmers.
Where to Donate: Donate money here. Click here for more information about dropping off cold-weather gear.
The Family Place
When a pipe burst at The Family Place, the shelter was housing 52 women and 71 children, all of whom were relocated. The Family Place, Texas’ largest family violence agency, has secured semi-permanent accommodations for them, but donations are needed to continue offering services to these survivors.
Urgent Needs: Money. $30 can provide three meals, while $100 can provide a night of safe housing for a family.
Where to Donate: Click here to donate.
Trusted World
Trusted World is a supply chain for nonprofits, social workers, churches, and first responders. The organization handled North Texas donation collection and distribution for Hurricane Harvey, then the PPP distribution for United Way. Now, it’s seeking food donations for those affected by the storm.
Urgent Needs: Nonperishables like peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, and rice.
Where to Donate: Contact Courtney Weaver at 972-781-8597 or [email protected] to set up a time to drop off at 613 Easy Street in Garland. You can also organize a food drive–find more information here.
Voice of Hope Ministries
This faith-based organization helps inner-city families find the resources and develop the skills needed to overcome and break the cycle of poverty. In the storm’s aftermath, Voice of Hope is supporting these families by distributing essential items like groceries, baby supplies, and warm clothing.
Urgent Needs: The organization just established an Emergency Needs Grant Fund, which will support Dallasites who are repairing their homes and replacing essential items. Voice of Hope is also collecting donations of food and beverages like warm milk, nonperishable milk, and water; baby supplies like blankets and diapers; winter clothing like gloves, hats, and earmuffs; and survival items like batteries, firewood, and space heaters. See the full list of needs here.
Where to Donate: Donate to the emergency fund here. Supplies can be dropped off at Voice of Hope, 4120 Gentry Drive. To arrange a pick-up, email [email protected].
Wesley-Rankin Community Center
At Wesley-Rankin, a faith-based 501(c)3 in West Dallas, all members of the community are welcome: children, youth, adults, and seniors. The center’s educational programming promotes a sense of community and helps guests develop financial and computer literacy, nutrition knowledge, leadership skills, and more. During the storm, the Wesley-Rankin Senior Center suffered a broken water pipe. When inspectors arrived to assess the damage, they also discovered asbestos. Wesley-Rankin is seeking donations to help offset the costs of remediation and repairs.
Urgent Needs: Money.
Where to Donate: Click here to donate.
