Arts and Culture
DMA Public Art Tour
The DMA Public Art Tour is a PDF map of 13 iconic Dallas outdoor artworks. Download the map and take it with you for a tour of public artworks in Big D that you can view from a distance. These include Pegasus, the large red sculpture in front of the Omni Hotel, Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive which features 3 large bronze cowboys on horseback and 50 longhorn steers, the Dream mural on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and many more.
- To access the PDF map click here.
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Back to School Fairs
Mayor’s Back to School Fair
Mayor Eric Johnson is excited to host the 24th annual Mayor’s Back to School Fair. The popular annual event provides Dallas students and families with essential back-to-school supplies. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has challenged families across our city, and many children will soon begin classes again either virtually or in person. As with many events over the past several months, this year’s Back to School Fair will look much different and will be much more condensed than in the past.
- In order to learn more about how the fair will be ran this year click here, and to register to receive supplies for your students click here.
- Participants must register by Monday August 17th.
Oak Cliff YMCA Back to School Bash
Schools are gearing up to start. While it may be different, one thing we know is students will need school supplies. Families in need of school supplies, come by the drive thru Back to School Bash at the Oak Cliff Family YMCA. Free School Supplies for kindergarten thru 12th grade. Limited to 300 backpacks. First Come, First Served.
- ONE Backpack per child. Child MUST be present in car. No Exceptions.
- To learn more about the event click here.
For Oak Cliff Back to School Festival
The 6th Annual Back to School Festival is Saturday August 15 at 10AM. They will have four backpack pick-up locations. Individuals will have to pre-register for backpacks and pick up on August 15th.
- To stay up to date on the upcoming event click here.
City of Dallas Announcements
City of Dallas Budget Town Halls
As the City Council prepares to hear briefings for the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-2021, please consider joining your respective City Council member for Budget Town Halls.
- To learn more about the Virtual Town Halls click here.
City of Dallas Text Alert Option for Dallas Residents
In an effort to make City information more accessible to the public, the Office of Communications Outreach and Marketing (COM) team has launched a new “Text to Subscribe” option for updates via mobile devices. This new function will now make City news available via text to subscribers’ phones.
- Never miss an update from the City of Dallas! Text DALLAS NEWSENG to 468311 to receive important news and information on your mobile phone.
Community Building
Texas Women’s Foundation Leadership Forum
Texas Women's Foundation will celebrate the 2020 Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader Award Recipients with a series of six virtual events highlighting each of their remarkable leadership journeys, and how they continue to advance leadership opportunities for women and girls.
- To learn more about the upcoming virtual events and to register click here.
WCIA Community Resources Hub
Dallas' Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs have launched an online resource hub with free and low-cost resources for all residents impacted by COVID-19.
- Click here to search for available resources using your zip code.
Dallas County Face Covering Mandate
Anyone over the age of 10 years old must wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when in a public place where it is difficult to keep six feet away from others. It is strongly recommended that you not use medical masks or N95 respirators as they are needed for healthcare workers and first responders.
Education
Project Transformation
Project Transformation will be offering a variety of options for families and children to participate in summer camp.
There are the 2 ways you can do PT this summer, you can pick 1 option or 2 options, or both options.
- To learn more about the programming Project Transformation will be offering, click here.
Once Upon a Month
Ferst Readers, in partnership with the Boone Family Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, announces our Once Upon a Month literacy initiative, providing wonderful books to children, birth to five, and useful literacy resources to their parents, mailed to the home every month! The program is currently available to children, under the age of five, that live in Dallas County.
- To register for Ferst Readers click here.
Common Threads
Common Threads is launching an on-demand Summer Camp that can be streamed anytime, anywhere, by anyone. The camp is a FREE ten day camp that is fully digital and self-paced for incoming 4th-6th grade students! Using pre-recorded video sessions, Common Threads and our content partners will provide our healthy education programs to kids right in the comfort of their own home. All that’s needed to participate is a computer with internet access and a positive attitude ready to learn about healthy cooking, physical activity and more! Camp content will begin arriving via email on 7/20, but participants can sign up at anytime!
- To register for the camp click here.
Wilkinson Center
The Wilkinson Center offers an Adult Education Program where those enrolled can obtain a GED, learn English, computer skills, financial management, or participate in career development and job readiness classes offered at multiple satellite sites and the Family Education Center (FEC). They are enrolling new students and orientations are online. New participants will need to have a laptop or tablet and have access to Internet.
- To register for classes and learn more about their program click here.
Dallas ISD Technology Distribution
The Dallas ISD Technology Department will host drive-up technology deployment events at each elementary school campus in the weeks leading up to the start of school. Parents will receive a backpack of supplies for each student. Inside that backpack will be the assigned computing device, charger, earbuds, a mobile Internet hotspot if the student doesn’t have access to the Internet at home, and basic instructions in both English and Spanish for logging in and how to obtain technical support.
- The technology department answers some of the most frequently asked questions on their efforts to provide iPads, Chromebooks and Internet access to all of our students.
- To see the elementary deployment schedule click here.
- Have a technology-related question? Call 972-925-5630
Head Start Enrollment
Early childhood education and family services at no cost for income eligible families. Services for children 0-5. COVID has hampered in-person recruiting. Educational activities, nutrition, referrals, health services. No zipcode restrictions.
- Virtual Learning Begins: Monday August 17th. In-Person Learning Begins Monday, September 14th.
- Head Start Lakewest, 3737 Goldman, Bldg B, 75212 (West Dallas).
- To enroll and learn more about the program click here.
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Employment Resources
Get Shift Done
Get Shift Done is a relief fund and initiative launched in North Texas to address both affected service workers who have lost their paychecks and immediate support for the demand of the non-profits, especially with respect to hunger relief. We are using the Shiftsmart platform to connect the volunteers, supporters and non-profits to deliver these essential functions all while providing basic incomes and food security for affected children and families.
- To learn more about Get Shift Done and sign up for their services click here.
Dallas Public Library
The Dallas Public Library is here to help. If you have questions about your resume, cover letter, job search, or other related resources, please get in touch with them from:
The DPL website also has various job search resources and financial assistance links to help families during this difficult time.
Workforce Solutions
Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas has created a Job Search Engine that allows residents to search for jobs based on industry and keywords. They have compiled various open job positions for individuals to search through and apply online.
- To access their Job Search Engine click here.
United Way Dallas
If you’ve been displaced or furloughed because of the pandemic, United Way Dallas has compiled several resources to help you navigate job opportunities, file for unemployment benefits and find answers to employment questions.
- For additional information regarding current or potential income challenges click here.
Dallas County Poll Workers
If you are 16 and older you can get paid $12/hr to work at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you are in Dallas ISD or Richardson ISD, your school will be closed that day anyway. Download this form, fill it out and get it signed by your parent/guardian AND your school principal.
- Once you finish the form, take a clear picture of the application and submit via email to studentelectionworker@dallascounty.org. Deadline is Sept. 29, 2020.
- If you have questions call 214-819-6009 (Laura Varela)
- There is a huge need for bilingual poll workers.
Funding Opportunities
Dallas County Commissioners Court Food Pantry Assistance Program
The Dallas County Commissioners Court is pleased to announce the opening of their Food Pantry Assistance Program, which has begun accepting applications since Monday, August 10, 2020. Eligibility Requirements:
- Be in operation on or before March 1, 2019;
- Be current in the payment of all Dallas County and local taxes;
- Must be physically located in Dallas County (excluding the City of Dallas) with a physical Dallas County mailing address;
- Demonstrate increased food assistance or cost since March 1, 2020 due to responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
To apply for this program, please click here.
Emma Lazarus Resilience Fund
The City of Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs (WCIA) has partnered with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and Communities Foundation of Texas to establish the Emma Lazarus Resilience Fund, a public-private effort that will distribute $500,000 to nonprofits that provide direct financial assistance to immigrant/refugee individuals and families who are otherwise ineligible for federal COVID-19 relief programs. The Emma Lazarus Resilience Fund application opened on Monday, August 3, and will close on Friday, August 21.
To apply for Emma Lazarus Resilience Fund grant funding, your organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation from the Internal Revenue Service
- at least 75% of the population served must reside in Dallas County
- already manage programs that are providing assistance to immigrants and refugees during the pandemic
To access the application and apply, click here.
Digital Navigators
The City of Dallas Office of Resilience (REO) is seeking non-profit agencies through an open application process to serve as subrecipients for the purpose of administering a Digital Navigators Program within the Dallas city limits to residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 and who are low income, which is defined as at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) under a short-term subrecipient agreement. Organizations should target populations that have been most impacted by COVID-19, including:
- Families with school-age children and adolescents;
- Higher-education students;
- Individuals who have lost employment or are otherwise income insecure;
- Immigrant and refugee communities;
- Residents living in top 10 zip codes with highest percentage of households with no internet access); and
- Residents living in communities of concentrated poverty.
Services should be administered using a lens that will advance racial equity whereby the organization considers specific community needs, historical and current lack of access or resources, and structural or institutional barriers that impact the targeted community. The application will close on August 24, 2020.
To access this opportunity login or register on bonfire at the City’s online solicitation portal linked here.
Food
St. Phillip’s Food Pantry
The St. Phillip’s Food Pantry has migrated to a "low touch" assembly and distribution model where they are providing pre-packaged boxes of staple foods for curbside distribution to our clients. This new temporary model enables them to reduce the number of individuals needed to serve their clients on a daily basis.
- To learn more about their hours of operation click here.
 North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank has launched a food bank locator with fellow partner agencies to help Texans find food banks near them. Visit the locator and enter your zip code for a food bank near you.
- The North Texas Food Bank has a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance program run by the Social Services Assistance Navigators. This program will help residents fill out and complete their SNAP applications. For more information email snap@ntfb.org.
Wilkinson Center
The Wilkinson Center provides Food and Emergency Services that is open from:
- Food Pantry Service hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9:00 a.m. – noon; and Tuesday from – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Wilkinson Center’s food pantry is serving families in vehicles and curb-side for walk-ups. We are asking all individuals to park in front of the pantry and remain in their vehicles to be served.
- For the month of May we are allowing families that live in Dallas County to receive food regardless of their zip code. Starting June 1, 2020 we will return to providing food to residents in our assigned zip codes.
- The head of household will need to bring a picture ID and proof of address such as a utility bill or lease.
- If you need additional information or have questions, please call 972-284-0377.
Food for Families with Students
Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions
The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions have an initiative to provide Healthy Summer Meals for Kids:
- Place: 2555 Esters Rd, Irving, Texas 75062 (Drive thru Grab n Go)
- Parking Lot of the Islamic Center of Irving
- Monday-Friday 5:00-7:00 PM
- For more information call Sakinah A. Kareem 972-217-8875
- Tamana Jiandani 469-438-3869
Hunger Busters
The Hunger Busters ‘Operation Healthy Summer Box’ is providing families with boxes of healthy food throughout the month of August, their requirements are:
- Please arrive early, distribution events are from 10am – 1pm unless noted differently.
- Produce boxes and Milk are given on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis.
- Max of 2 – 3 families per car. (allowing space to receive boxes)
- Please have your trunk empty or space available to receive your boxes of produce and milk.
To learn more about the initiative click here.
Pandemic- Electronic Benefit Transfer
The application deadline for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT) was extended until August 21st. If your child, ages 5-18, received free or reduced-priced meals at school for the 2019-2020 school year, you could be eligible for Pandemic-EBT.
Health
Healthy Education Lifestyles Program
The Healthy Education Lifestyles Program (HELP) can assist you by providing clinical care, resources and education. HELP assists uninsured patients in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension. It provides program participants with ongoing health coaching and education resources to support patients learning to effectively manage their chronic disease and encourage them to take an active role in reducing the negative effects their chronic conditions will otherwise take on their lives. Additionally, HELP staff work with patients to reduce the barriers often encountered to self-managing their disease (access to healthy food, access to primary care, lack of transportation, etc.).
- To learn more about the program and the HELP locations click here.
Mental Health America of Greater Dallas
Mental Health America of Greater Dallas has compiled various online resources for students, employees, and children. Resources are meant for families and individuals to explore varying mental health topics brought up during the pandemic.
- To explore the resources offered click here.
Housing
Electricity Relief Program
The COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program temporarily keeps Retail Electric Providers in the parts of Texas open to customer choice from disconnecting electricity for customers who can’t pay their whole bill because of serious financial troubles caused by COVID-19.
- If you or someone in your household currently receive or are in the process of applying to receive unemployment benefits you may apply here.
Dallas County HHS Emergency Housing Assistance Program
The Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) is to provide: Short-term rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to low income Dallas County residents living outside of the City of Dallas economically affected (loss/reduction of income) by the spread of COVID-19.
- Applications will be processed through a lottery system
- DCHHS will begin reaccepting pre-screening applications online Friday, July 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (CT) and close the pre-screening application process Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. (CT).
- Once open, DCHHS will also accept pre-screening applications by phone at (214) 819-1968, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CT)
- The pre-screening application form is available in English and Spanish
- Length of assistance will not exceed 3 months
For more information about EHAP, click here.
Dallas County Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) assists low-income Househods, particularly those with the lowest incomes, to pay a high proportion of Household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs. Applicants will be required to submit information to DCHHS to determine elegibility, individuals must provide the following:
- Proof of citizenship
- Proof of all income
- Social security cards
- Valid identification card
- Original electric and gas bill
For more information about the requirements and the program click here.
Eviction Assistance
Dallas County - Tenant Hotline:
Small Business Support
Google Support for Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
Google is supporting small- and medium-sized businesses around the world that have been impacted by COVID-19. They are doing this in a variety of ways, from providing access to capital, Google ad credits, and more.
- For details please click here.
Hello Alice COVID-19 Resources
Hello Alice helps businesses launch and grow. A free, predictive technology, Hello Alice guides business owners by providing access to funding, networks and services. Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community.
- More information is available here.
Revive Dallas Small Business Relief Fund
The Dallas Entrepreneurship Center Network (DEC), in collaboration with LiftFund and the private business community, has launched the Revive Dallas Small Business Relief Fund to support local small businesses in jeopardy due to COVID-19. Zero percent (0%) loans up to $25,000 will be provided and will be combined with other non-monetary resources. A priority has been placed on providing funding to minority- and women-owned small businesses.
- For more information click here.
Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund
In partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Verizon is investing $2.5 million for grants of up to $10,000 to entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and others in historically underserved communities who don't have access to flexible, affordable funding.
- More information can be found here.
Support for Displaced Pets
If you're currently facing hard times, please take a look at these pet support services from organizations that are designed to help keep you and your pets together.
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