Community Service is one of the five lifelong practices that guide us on our path to creating a more just and peaceful world.
The Community Service Committee identifies, promotes, and coordinates community-service activities that stimulate personal and spiritual growth through shared efforts to enrich our community.
Volunteers are a critical component of how our community organizations deliver their services. Many of these organizations are listed below with information about opportunities for:
Individuals – Individuals volunteer for a few hours a week or a month
Groups – Groups of volunteers for a specific task or event
Seniors – Volunteer work does not require heavy lifting or standing for long periods
Teenagers – Teenagers 14 and younger must be supervised by an adult
For assistance in signing up or to recommend participation with a new organization, contact: communityservice@dallasuu.org
Ongoing Opportunities
Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center
DARCC provides a compassionate space for healing and growth for survivors of sexual assault. DARCC has multiple ways to volunteer. If you want to work directly with survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones, opportunities include assisting with DARCC’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline, providing hospital accompaniment, and by accompanying survivors to legal proceedings. Extensive training is required. DARCC has a variety of other options to get involved.
Learn more about volunteering HERE.
Friends of Dallas Animal Services
FDAS is the official fundraising organization for the City of Dallas Animal Services, one of the largest dog & cat intake shelters in the country. Volunteer opportunities at the shelter include dog running, animal enrichment and animal socialization. They also have opportunities to foster a dog or cat.
To sign up for animal foster care go HERE.
To sign up for volunteering at their shelter, go HERE.
Individuals, groups, seniors, teenagers are welcome.
March to the Polls
March to the Polls’ mission is to substantially increase electoral participation in underrepresented communities, primarily youth and people of color. Volunteer opportunities include in-classroom voter education, student voter empowerment club mentors and voter registration at events all around North Texas (requires Volunteer Deputy Registrar certification).
To sign up to volunteer, go HERE.
Individuals, groups, seniors, teenagers are welcome.
North Dallas Shared Ministries
North Dallas Shared Ministries (NDSM) provides low-income families and individuals with a variety of services. Food, rent and utility assistance, clothing, counseling, medical and dental care are the primary services offered. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday during the day to help in all these areas with a special need for Spanish speakers. This is an excellent opportunity for retirees and adults with flexible hours.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer HERE.
Reading Partners
Reading Partners is dedicated to improving reading skills of students who are reading 6 months to 2.5 years below grade level. Volunteers work 1 on 1 with DISD students for 45 minutes once or twice a week. Tutoring is both in person and online.
Sign up to volunteer and receive training HERE.
Individuals, including Seniors, welcome.
Texas Equal Access
Texas Equal Access was founded to make abortion more accessible for people in their communities and has grown to become an organization that serves 110 counties in north, east, and west Texas. Volunteers are crucial to helping them reach more folks in the community through tabling, crowd canvassing or returning text messages from people who request TEA Fund’s help finding resources.
Sign up to volunteer and receive training HERE.
Individuals, including Seniors, welcome.
The Wilkinson Center
The Wilkinson Center works to end hunger and generational poverty by providing clients with the tools and opportunities they need to become financially self-sufficient and on a pathway to success. Volunteer opportunities include food and support services, adult education, and events. distributions.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer HERE.
Individuals, groups, seniors and teenagers are welcome.
Vickery Meadow Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Vickery Meadow is part of the Vickery Meadow Alliance – seven faith-based organizations that joined forces in 2009 to help neighbors address their biggest problem, food insecurity. Their mission is to feed, clothe and aid the diverse immigrant and refugee population in the Vickery Meadow Neighborhood. They have volunteer opportunities for food stocking, food distribution, neighbor check-in and administrative tasks.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer HERE.
Individuals, groups, seniors, and teenagers are welcome.
White Rock Center of Hope
The White Rock Center of Hope cultivates hope by meeting basic needs and cultivating personalized empowerment. Opportunities abound: Thrift Store, Neighbor Services (Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Financial Assistance, Empowerment Programs), and Administration. Bilingual a plus but not required.
Sign up to volunteer HERE or go to Service: White Rock Center of Hope in Realm to sign up for future group volunteer projects.
Individuals, groups, seniors and teenagers are welcome.
Wholly Informed Sex Ed (WISE)
WISE is a community outreach program originated by our church. They bring comprehensive, inclusive, affirming and anti-racist sexuality education to community settings in Dallas. They have opportunities for individuals to help with health fairs and back-office work.
Learn more about volunteering HERE.
Occasional Opportunities
Carter Bloodcare
We sponsor blood drives throughout the year to benefit Carter BloodCare. The BloodMobile sets up at the church on Sunday morning and blood donors give the gift of life before, during, and after the morning church services. All individuals are welcome to donate blood.
If you would like to participate, go to Service: Blood Drive on Realm to add your name and be notified of the next BloodMobile visit, or look for information about the next drive in the weekly newsletter.
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Every few years our church members have an opportunity to help build a home for a Dallas family. As a sponsor organization, we provide funding and volunteers to construct decent, affordable housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the home owners. Our current project is this year.
If you are interested in participating in this project, go to Service: Habitat for Humanity on Realm to add your name, or visit the Community Service Table on Connection Sunday.
Seasonal Opportunities
Thanksgiving Basket Drive
In support of The Wilkinson Center’s mission, we hold a Thanksgiving Basket Drive ensuring more families will have a Thanksgiving dinner. Individuals fill a container with the usual (nonperishable) foods needed to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner and purchase a turkey voucher. A suggested list of basket contents is provided. This tradition has become a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. Watch for our table in Channing Hall. Everyone welcome to participate.
Christmas Gift Drive
To brighten the Winter holiday season, we sponsor the Adult Department of Aging & Disabled Services Gift Drive benefiting adults in the custody of the state. We have the opportunity in early December to select and fulfill their specific gift requests. Watch for our table in Channing Hall. Everyone welcome to participate.
