Mr. Patrick Smith, Executive Director of Serve Denton, talks to Robson residents about how local nonprofits are helping Denton residents.
Marie Milleage
On September 2, Living Well at Robson Ranch held its second volunteer fair attended by seven community agencies. Patrick Smith, Executive Director of Serve Denton, enlightened the audience with reference to how local nonprofits are addressing the 19 areas of need among Denton residents.
Mr. Smith stated, “It can be overwhelming to find and receive help when a family falls on hard times.” Often people are disheartened when required to go from agency to agency to receive needed assistance, and agencies feel less effective and limited in their success when individuals in need feel hopeless while striving for self-sufficiency.
Serve Denton recently opened in the Wheeler House that serves as an interim housing and clinic facility for families in transition out of homelessness. Giving Hope, Inc. currently manages the Wheeler House where temporary housing facilities are available for three to four chosen families. Health Services of North Texas operates the clinic and provides medical care and nutrition and wellness services for family well-being.
The Mobile Food Pantry, a program offered through the combined efforts of the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Denton Hunger Coalition, formed a partnership to send once monthly a mobile food pantry to Serve Denton’s parking lot with free fresh food for families in need.
Opened in 2014, the Assistance and Events Center is Serve Denton’s largest project. The building, under renovation, will house several nonprofit agencies in one convenient, downtown location and provide event and classroom space for community affairs. Currently occupied by Boys and Girls Club offices, other groups will move in later.
While many opportunities exist to assist in fulfilling the missions of Serve Denton and Giving Hope, other organizations offer volunteer openings. Texas Health Presbyterian needs volunteers for the new program in their pediatric area. RSVP seeks County residents to read to K-1 classes or educate parents about immunizations. Both RSVP and Roanoke Metroport Meals on Wheels request volunteers to deliver meals or serve in food pantries. The American Cancer Society Resource Desks at Texas Oncology and Denton Regional Medical Center look to fill part-time volunteer positions for interaction with patients. Good Samaritan offers a variety of fun volunteer opportunities at their Lake Forest site.
LWRR co-sponsor, DATCU credit union, provided refreshments and Texas Health Presbyterian, RSVP, Metroport Meals on Wheels, and DATCU furnished door prizes.
For information about Living Well at Robson Ranch or the presentations, contact Susan Hebert at [email protected] or Marie Milleage at [email protected].