Center of Hope Has Advice For How You Can Help Homeless Shelters This Season

“There’s nothing more pleasurable than giving.”

That’s what Chef D, aka Chef Daren Mitchell, Assistant Chef at Union Gospel Mission, said to me during the calm before the lunch service for the 62 women and 46 children currently housed at Center of Hope. That’s where I’ll start because while he was talking about his job, he really summed up an incredible day I got to experience with a group of real estate industry friends giving back to their community.

So for this week’s Upon Closer Inspection, I thought it would be fitting to take a closer look at what the staff at Center of Hope are doing in the community, the people they serve, and what their needs are, especially this time of year.

To celebrate his birthday, Clayton Bailey, Owner of Green Scene Home Inspections, did what he does best and organized a bunch of real estate folks to cook up a mess of Texas BBQ to feed some hungry bellies.

Folks like RedBranch Realty Owner, Ashley Gentry, who is a born leader and has a smile that says, “Welcome Home,” not to mention a recipe for bacon mac and cheese. Or The Design Quad’s Nikki Giovanni Watson with a heart as huge as her talent on deck with her world-famous potato salad. Arlene Antis, Owner of ONYX Real Estate Group, has a servant’s heart and always has time to lend a helping hand. And then there’s Compass Real Estate’s Eric Holmes, who never met a project he couldn’t above and beyond (and if you haven’t tried his award-winning Texas chili, honestly, I feel sorry for you).

Did I mention the 50 pounds or so of brisket Bailey smoked? With this crew along with family and friends, the residents and staff of Center of Hope were served hot meals, with love from the Dallas Fort Worth real estate community.

“There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.”

That saying, along with many other uplifting and spiritual quotes, is painted on the walls around the building. Our serving team got to take a tour of the facility with Director Patrice Denning and I thought about that a lot as we walked around the different areas of the deceptively large (40,000 square feet!) building.

In addition to surprisingly cozy, charming residential quarters separated for women with children and those without, there are common areas for working, relaxing, and recreation. Then there are other resources to help women on their journeys such as a Career Development Center, equipped with a computer lab that provides tools like a virtual resume workshop, staff to help with navigating collecting Social Security or disability, and all the online systems involved with whatever circumstances they may be facing — spiritual and emotional guidance and counseling — and much more.

Center of Hope provides transportation to job fairs, transportation to and from school for children, and daycare while women seek jobs, or for those who already have work. They have a boutique for women’s and children’s clothing and shoes and are currently renovating a space for a salon where they’ll be partnering with local beauty schools to provide not only services to residents, but training for those who might be interested in careers. Same with the onsite clinic — residents have access to both medical care and training.

“What impresses me so much about this place is that it’s really an ecosystem for homeless women and children. They nurture women through this program with tools like budgeting and job skills; it’s a whole process that’s setting them up for success.”

Clayton Bailey

What Can You Do?

CEO of Union Gospel Mission, Bruce Butler answered with, “Everything you can!”

The organization runs two shelters — the Center of Hope for women and children, and Calvert Place Men’s Shelter, which houses more than 300 per day. They also own two apartment complexes, where they provide transitional housing.

These facilities require upkeep and maintenance just like any other home, so that’s a big need. Volunteers are needed for all types of skill sets, but those of us in the real estate and housing industry can provide some special help through needs Butler mentioned like putting in double-paned windows to help make the 100-plus-year-old building at Cass Street more energy efficient, a new roof on Cass Street, help updating the apartments in Carrollton and East Dallas, and much more.

We talked about his dream of making both shelters green buildings, from energy-saving appliances and insulation to putting in solar panels and other green upgrades. Sounds like some great opportunities for future service projects, and — considering the new tax benefits for green energy purchases provided to businesses and individuals under the Inflation Reduction Act, it seems like a great time for someone to be helping out a homeless shelter with these types of upgrades. Just saying!

“Something we take for granted can be a blessing for someone else.”

Chef D said that to me when I asked him what he most wanted people to know about what they do at Center of Hope. You may have things around the house that would mean the world to someone in need.

A big ask this time of year are for gently used or new winter weather items, new undergarments, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. You can see the list of urgent needs and requests here, and find the Center of Hope’s Amazon Wish List for a super convenient way to give.

Give a meaningful holiday gift in a loved one’s name: $100 helps one person with mental health counseling, or $54 gives a day of shelter, meals and care for 1 person.

“We don’t just serve them physically, but mentally and emotionally. I wouldn’t call it a “job.” The Lord has blessed me to be able to serve so many who need it. To be able to serve them 365 days a year? Every day is a day of Thanksgiving.”

Executive Chef, Union Gospel Mission, Duane Ragas

This time of year puts many people in mind of giving back in some way to those less fortunate. I think in some ways these acts of service give as much or more to the ones doing them as they do to those receiving them. I know those of us who were there felt inspired and moved by the people we met. The staff works hard every day giving food, shelter, love, dignity, and choices to people who have found themselves without any, including the women and children we were blessed to meet and share some time with. 

So this week here at Upon Closer Inspection, our advice to homeowners and potential home buyers is to think about what you might have to offer to those without homes this holiday season and give the good folks at Union Gospel Mission Center of Hope a click or a call.