Community
City Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from area kill shelters, needs foster homes for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. To give a pet a second chance, call 214-515-9934, e-mail info@citypetrescue.com, or visit citypetrescue.com.
Boys & Girls Club Dallas is looking for alumni to join the BGCDallas Chapter. Alumni meet monthly to brainstorm new and creative ways to contribute to their clubs. For information call Carolyn Jordan at 214-821-2950.
People
Ana Barbosa, a bilingual teacher assistant at J.L. Long Middle School, has been named DISD Teacher Assistant of the Year. Superintendent Michael Hinojosa presented her with the award and a check for $1,000. Barbosa has been with Long for three years.
White Rock Lake resident Eileen Albert is among five current and former outstanding students named to Richland College’s Student Wall of Honor recently. The honor is bestowed twice a year to those selected for academic achievements, professional accomplishments and contributions to the community.
The Real Estate Council (TREC) recently honored five people who made significant contributions to the North Texas community at its “Dreamers, Doers and Unsung Heroes” annual Fall Gala at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Each honoree received a $5,000 honorarium for their organization. Honored for Dallas County was neighborhood resident Vikki J. Martin for forming the Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI). A teacher at Episcopal School of Dallas and professional artist, she made the FRI a reality by building consensus and developing a master plan to increase economic development while combating crime. FRI is now one of five “Officially Recognized and Funded Weed & Seed Communities” in Dallas that works with law enforcement agencies. FRI has seen a 26.5 percent reduction in overall crime and a 61.1 percent decrease in violent crime in the last six years.
Schools
The Texas Business and Education Coalition’s Just for Kids Honor Roll program recently recognized 10 Dallas ISD schools. Among them are James B. Bonham and Stonewall Jackson Elementary Schools. The schools were recognized for meeting comprehensive performance standards for three consecutive years. A total of 271 schools in Texas were named as honor roll schools this year.
Volunteers
AARP is seeking volunteers for its tax-aide program, which provides free counseling and preparation services for all middle and low income tax payers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. This program provides a trained volunteer tax preparer Feb. 1-April 15. Program requires all volunteers to attend a short school in January. Volunteers are furnished a self-study manual and are required to pass an IRS-approved test. Commitment normally requires work for one afternoon each week, meeting at Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth, or Skillman Southwestern Library, 5707 Skillman. Volunteers with their own personal laptops are especially needed. 214-821-1529.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the Senior Source is looking for volunteers age 55+ to volunteer with more than 230 non-profit agencies in Dallas and Collin counties. RSVP matches your skills, needs and desires with a volunteer job. Volunteers are generally needed for three hours, one to two days a week. 214-823-5700 or rsvpd@TheSeniorSource.org.
Young Life needs volunteers to help provide food, daycare and arts and crafts for its monthly meetings. The group also seeks mentors for pregnant or parenting teen moms in the community. For information call Kristin Klungvedt, 214-773-4348.
The Child Abuse Prevention Center needs volunteers to work with children of divorcing parents one Saturday morning a month during its Families First seminars. The CAP Center also has openings for volunteers in the Parent Aide Program. Volunteers work in the home with parents and families at risk for child abuse and neglect. Training is provided. 2902 Swiss. Contact Ashly, 214-370-9810.
Women’s Chorus of Dallas has many volunteer opportunities, including ushering at concerts, helping with mailings, answering the phone and helping with office work and committee participation. 214-520-7828 or twcd.org.
East Dallas Community Garden needs volunteers to help plant, tend and harvest crops and take produce to area food banks. Individual garden plots are also available. 972-231-3565 or gardendallas.org.
Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization promoting cultural awareness and sustainability by conducting humanitarian assistance programs in Latin America and Asia, is in need of volunteers who can translate Spanish and conduct Internet research to prepare various projects that will be implemented abroad. 214-823-0083 or info@globeaware.org.
Meals on Wheels, a program run by The Visiting Nurse Association, seeks volunteer drivers in our neighborhood. Drivers make weekday deliveries a few mornings a week or month, picking up meals at the Lakeview Christian Church, 9100 Diceman. 214-689-0639.
Heart House Dallas, a free after-school program for low-income children, has a variety of volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals. Work as an after-school mentor, homework tutor, coach, office helper or in other available capacities. For information contact Jayna Wallach at 214-750-7637 or jwallach@hearthouse.org, or visit hearthouse.org.
