Dallas Doing Good Editorial Board
Dallas Doing Good is proud to continue our partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas for North Texas Giving Day! This year, we’re shining a spotlight on exceptional organizations that are making significant strides in our community. Aligning with CFT’s focus areas—Health, Wealth, Living, and Learning—we’ve worked together to select organizations that exemplify innovation and impact in these critical areas.
Our mission at Dallas Doing Good is to create and share stories that support good news and good work in North Texas. Through our storytelling efforts, we hope you feel inspired to give back and get involved with local causes. Our editorial team, which consists of young aspiring journalists in our DDG Fellowship Program, is dedicated to reporting on helpers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and solutions across the region, always with a focus on collaboration and long-term impact.
Last year, $63.9 million was raised for North Texas Giving Day through 97,132 donors, benefiting over 3,000 local nonprofits. This brings the fifteen-year total to over $566 million for our community, a powerful testament to the generosity of North Texans. With more than 3,000 organizations registered on the North Texas Giving Day website, here are our 10 picks for 2024.
Ability Connection is a nonprofit that has been supporting over 1,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Texas for 71 years. They are guided by core values of compassion, respect, and a results-driven approach, focusing on each individual’s unique abilities and potential. By prioritizing the needs and goals of their members and families, they offer personalized services, including therapy, adult day habilitation, assistive technology, transportation, residential care, case management, and in-home support.
At Aspire, they believe learning turns obstacles into opportunities. Every day, they walk alongside their students as they make the brave decision to change their lives. With a supportive and motivating learning environment, Aspire offers targeted educational programs that help students meet specific career and learning goals, from learning English or earning a GED to balancing a family bank account or preparing for careers. Their students face challenges with confidence, knowing that with the right skills and resources, there’s no obstacle they can’t overcome.
Bachman Lake Together is a nonprofit initiative that unites families, community partners, and supporters to ensure every child in the neighborhood has a strong foundation during the critical developmental years of ages 0-5. They believe this goal is best achieved through collaboration and inclusive participation. A key aspect of their work is parent leadership, where they equip parents to become community leaders in schools and neighborhoods. Through their Community Action Network (CAN), they support immigrants new to Dallas in learning about early education and advocacy, ultimately helping them become volunteer leaders.
Community Does It takes a new approach to public health by focusing on community-driven solutions. Located within Buckner Bazaar, they bridge the gap in mental health care access through a combination of traditional public health methods, Community-Based Participatory Action Research, and grassroots organizing. Their services include quality mental health counseling for children, adolescents, and their families, along with family educational and emotional support. They ensure parents are well-informed about mental health and offer support groups for families with similar experiences.
Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) aims to build a radically inclusive Dallas and Fort Worth by tackling race and racism through narrative change, relationship building, and equitable policies. Their Racial Equity NOW program educates the community on the importance of racial equity training and policy implementation. Their framework includes understanding our racial histories (Truth), challenging racial hierarchies and building respectful relationships (Racial Healing), and implementing equitable policies to address barriers in areas like law, education, and housing (Transformation).
Dogs Matter, a Department of Dallas Pets Alive, offers temporary fostering and support services for people seeking treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders. They provide a safe, loving environment for clients’ dogs while they undergo inpatient treatment, easing the stress of separation. Their mission includes ensuring the welfare of both the dog and owner, reuniting them after treatment, and supporting their continued recovery. Through their 12-month Aftercare Program, Dogs Matter helps clients maintain a clean and sober lifestyle, offering support from a certified peer recovery coach and additional resources to ensure a smooth transition back to a healthy life with their pets.
Journey Forward Mentoring is dedicated to supporting Dallas high school and postsecondary students to excel academically, professionally, and in their communities. Their vision is thriving communities where every student can reach their full potential. Their mission is to inspire and guide students through mentoring, helping them excel in school, advance in their careers, and contribute to their communities. They offer programs that provide guidance, education, career advice, and life skills to open up more opportunities for students. Their mentors, with diverse backgrounds and a strong community commitment, aim to make a positive impact on students’ lives.
Joppy Momma’s Farm is a community farm and garden in Joppa, a historic Freedman town near downtown Dallas. Founded by Henry Hines, Joppa has a rich history but faces extreme marginalization and was declared a food desert. Joppy Momma’s Farm is dedicated to changing this by providing healthy, affordable food and fostering self-sufficiency through sustainable agriculture. Their mission is to educate, provide resources and job training, and create safe spaces for women, children, and families, empowering individual development and offering affordable, healthy food options to underserved communities.
Metrocrest Services, established in 1971, supports individuals, families, and seniors through crises, offering comprehensive help to stabilize their lives and end poverty. They provide a range of services, including employment assistance, income support, and financial coaching, all designed to foster self-sufficiency and independence. Embracing core values such as kindness, respect, and adaptability, Metrocrest Services uses the evidence-based Working Families Success model to help clients achieve significant economic improvements and build a brighter future.
Viola’s House provides temporary housing and support for expectant mothers aged 16-24 in Dallas who are homeless or at-risk. Their mission is to help these young women achieve self-sufficiency and transition into adulthood with essential skills in parenting, budgeting, health, and nutrition. Using a trauma-informed approach, Viola’s House offers a safe and supportive environment through programs like ‘Earn While You Learn,’ where participants earn “Baby Bucks” for attending parenting classes, and provides case management, public benefits enrollment, and job readiness programs.
Sign up with your email address to receive good stories, events, and volunteer opportunities in your inbox.
