According to Dallas Hope Charities CEO Evie Scrivner,
The mission of Dallas Hope Charities is to provide food, shelter and services that instill dignity, stability and Hope for All. Our mission is being lived out through programs of: Meals of Hope, Worthy Bags, Thriving Hope, Dallas Hope Center and Collective Hope Coalition.
Hunger and homelessness are two dire problems in Dallas. Some of us have the privilege of not wondering where our next meals are coming from, how we are going to feed our family or where we are going to lay our head. There are many who have these thoughts repeatedly, with the numbers increasing, and food-insecure homes of which often cut back on groceries to pay for lodging, utilities or medicine. Serving over 41,000 meals in 2019, we also reassure them that they are seen, loved, and cared about.
Our Worthy Bags contain snacks, toiletries, socks, water and other items which are given out to any person who is experiencing homelessness. We also have a pantry in which we are able to consistently provide sustainable meals through bags of food to individuals and families, who otherwise might go hungry.
At Dallas Hope Center, our LGBTQ+ focused homeless youth center, the youth that reach out are looking for a safe place. They have typically been rejected by family or have aged out of foster care and lack the basic life skills needed to live independently. Dallas Hope Charities provides those learning opportunities while instilling dignity and purpose, living in a safe and welcoming space. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times as likely to experience physical and/or sexual violence in typical shelters and have a 120% higher risk for homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth who are homeless also experience high rates of conduct disorder, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal behavior.
A recent initiative of Dallas Hope Charities is Collective Hope Coalition. We are addressing LGBTQ+ suicide in Dallas. The alarming statistics in the Dallas area shows the issue at epidemic proportions. We initiated the Collective Hope Coalition in order to reduce the factors and eliminate the hopelessness that leads to suicide in the LGBTQ+ community. With the partnerships and collaboration of community businesses, legislature, organizations and more, we will be able to make a change, and save lives.
Dallas Hope Charities strives to provide hope for a better today and a brighter tomorrow. Please visit our website dallashopecharities.org or email [email protected] for more information on volunteering, donating, and more.
* Graphic and photo provided by Dallas Hope Charities
Stephen says
Evie Scrivner is one of the kindest and driven people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Her servants heart transcends with her efforts to help others. I back any projects she does.