At the age of five, East Dallas resident Andrew Guerra went with his parents to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to senior citizens and families served by the Brady Center. Now, as a 16-year-old, volunteering is a part of his life and the Brady Center is his favorite place to volunteer.
The Brady Center is a Catholic Charities agency that serves low-income families and the older adult community in East Dallas.
Senior citizens visit the center daily for meals, recreational activities and educational services. The center also offers programs for children and families, and classes in nutrition, sewing and citizenship.
During the summer, Andrew participates in the Brady Center’s summer reading program for neighborhood children. He also unloads food and clothing donations, stocks the food pantry and helps with the end-of-summer carnival. Christmas break, spring break – whenever Andrew is not in school — he can be found at the Brady Center, lending a hand.
“You can always count on Andrew to show up and roll up his sleeves,” says Mary Brown, administrator for the Brady Center. “He is willing to do whatever is asked of him – even walking around the building to pick up trash.”
Brown says the Brady Center needs volunteers year-round to work in the food pantry, teach classes and assist with the preschool program.
To find out how you can volunteer for the Brady Center or one of 1100 other nonprofit agencies, call the Volunteer Center of Dallas County at 214-826-6767 or visit our web site at www.non-profits.org.
