Week 23: Community Partners of Dallas

June 8, 2018

This week, I volunteered with Community Partners of Dallas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring safety, restoring dignity, and inspiring hope for the abused and neglected children served by Dallas County Child Protective Services.

I have volunteered with Community Partners of Dallas numerous times over the past 10 years: collecting items at Lakehill Preparatory School for one of their four major drives (Easter basket, Toy, Coat, and Back-to-school) and bringing groups to work in the warehouse. Some of our Lakehill teachers have recorded stories for their Storyline program. Community Partners is the type of organization that makes volunteering easy. There is always plenty to do, and it is always well organized and well managed.

Friday was the first time I have ever volunteered at Community Partners on my own. As always, it was easy to sign up and I was welcomed with open arms when I arrived. My task during my two-hour shift was similar to those I have completed when I attended with a large group: to sort, count, box, and label supplies (pencil pouches this time), in preparation to fill the thousands of backpacks they will need for back-to-school.

I enjoyed volunteering on my own, but am looking forward to being back next week with my Lakehill Community Connections campers. I love the energy when we volunteer as a large group! I’ll be back with them next week and again in July.

Community Partners of Dallas serves more than 20,000 children a year through four unique programs. The Rainbow Room is an emergency resource center providing critically-needed items for children in the care of CPS. The cheerful room is filled with new toys, clothing, and supplies which are available for caseworkers to help children who come into protective care. Founded in 1993, it has served more than 168,000 children. I love that Community Partners only accepts new items for the Rainbow Room, operating on the credo that “abused and neglected children don’t need abused and neglected clothes.”

Other initiatives include Kids in Crisis (provides funds for children’s clothing, transportation, therapy, enrichment activities, housing, and medical expenses); Caseworker Appreciation (events that are held to show appreciation and gratitude to caseworkers); and Storyline (a dedicated phone line, 214-446-2222, that children can call 24 hours a day to hear a story).

With a staff of only 12, Community Partners of Dallas relies on the support of dedicated volunteers. There are several ways to get involved in helping the abused and neglected children they serve. There are opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to volunteer, from one-time events to regularly-scheduled volunteer hours. Be aware that Community Partners of Dallas does not work directly with the children in care of Child Protective Services due to confidentiality and safety requirements.

Teens can join THANKs (Teens Helping Abused and Neglected Kids), a volunteer program that gives them the opportunity to learn more about nonprofit operations and issues facing the community and participate in meaningful community service.

After 10 years in the Wilson Historic District, Community Partners of Dallas is moving to a new location in January 2019. With three times the space available, the organization will be able to continue to grow to meets the needs of abused and neglected children in Dallas Country.

2 thoughts on “Week 23: Community Partners of Dallas

  1. Rita Mathis June 19, 2018 / 6:17 pm

    Your spirit (and many, many hours) dedicated to serve is so inspiring Gigi!! Thank you for sharing this great opportunity! I look forward to your posts and learning more about all of these wonderful organizations. Thank you for making with world a better place!

    • lakehillprep June 19, 2018 / 6:20 pm

      Thank you so much Rita for your kind words! It is an honor to shed light on the amazing work these organizations are doing in our community. I appreciate your support.

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