Recent Activities - September 2019

Hearts for Homes Joins UWDC Family!

Hearts for Homes, a volunteer-driven ministry providing hope and dignity through home rehabilitation affording low-income seniors a safe, comfortable and well-functioning home, was recently accepted as a Partner Agency by United Way of Denton County. 
 
Hearts for Homes currently serves 89 households on a daily basis with the mission to improve living conditions for these low-income Denton County senior homeowners, age 60 and older. Since its inception in 2006, Hearts for Homes has assisted 458 Denton County seniors at over 2,246 projects with the help of 70,414 volunteer service hours. 
 
“Hearts for Homes provides a much-needed service for a vulnerable segment of the Denton County population,” said United Way of Denton County President & CEO Gary Henderson. “With the support of our donors, we look forward to assisting them to improve and transform more lives of seniors across Denton County.” 
 
“The United Way of Denton County Community Investment committee thoroughly vets nonprofit organizations before accepting them as a Partner Agency,” said Debbie Smatrask, Community Investment Chair. “Our volunteers and board were really impressed with Hearts for Homes and the unique service they provide to our community.” 
 
For over 65 years, United Way of Denton County’s Partner Agency grants have supported and amplified the efforts of highly efficient local charities, investing resources where they will have the most impact on the needs of our community. 
 
“Becoming a Partner Agency with United Way is a true blessing for Hearts for Homes and the seniors we serve,” shares Susan Frank, founder and executive director of Hearts for Homes. “This partnership is very exciting in that it will open the door for much-needed funding, but also offer guidance, support and programs to help our small nonprofit grow and expand programs and services to fulfill our ongoing mission and make a lasting impact on this often silently suffering segment of our community.”
 
 

 

A Month to Live UNITED

We celebrated a historical Live United month this September with events, proclamations, billboards, and a day dedicated to wearing blue. County-wide challenges were discussed at two Community Conversation breakfasts held north & south of the lake to kickoff our United Way campaign season. A record 25 municipalities across Denton County read “Live United month” proclamations encouraging all residents to Live United. Billboards made possible by DATCU Credit Union reminded commuters on I-35E that “Change Doesn’t Happen Alone.” We declared the first-ever “Live United Day” in Denton County on the last Friday of the month resulting in folks wearing blue popping up all over social media with the hashtag #UNITED4DentonCounty.

 
 

 

North Texas Giving Day Celebrates Nonprofits

The Denton County community came together September 19 for North Texas Giving Day, an 18-hour giving extravaganza that promotes the nonprofit community and encourages the public to give back. And did they ever! To the tune of $50 million, North Texans came out in force to support our broader community! Many of these donors chose to LIVE UNITED contributing over $10,000 this year! In addition, we united with other Denton County nonprofits with celebrations at Parkers Square in Flower Mound and the Denton Square in Denton.

 
 
 
 

Dancers Revealed! 

The Best Western Premiere buzzed with anticipation for the introduction and pairing of Denton County volunteers as ballroom partners for the annual Dancing with Our Stars competition. The centerpiece of the UNITED Tribute gala, the thirteen couples will hit the dance floor January 18, 2020 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center.

From October to January, these brave pairs will learn themed dances under the direction of Professor Emeritus of Dance at Texas Woman’s University Gladys Keaton and her assistants on their quest for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Meet these dancing duos, get tickets, and view sponsorship information for UNITED Tribute.

 

Equipping an Army of Mental Health Responders

Mental health struggles impact 1 in 5 Denton County residents. That's why we are thrilled to have 14 community members graduate from the Mental Health First Aid course in September.  These graduates join others to comprise an elite army of 83 trained volunteers and service providers equipped to identify and appropriately respond to a mental health crisis in our community.