Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Volunteers Needed

Fall is just around the corner and the Children and Youth Programs are already busy planning for the school year programs. We have several volunteer opportunities that we are looking to fill!

Venturing Crew and Junior Crew - Tutors are needed to help middle and high school students with homework. The Venturing Crew (high school age) will have tutoring the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays from 6:30-7:00 for students that need additional help in one or more subjects. Junior Crew (middle school age) will also be doing tutoring on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays. Volunteers can commit to one, two or three Wednesdays a month. Math (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry), English, and Science expertise is especially needed. Volunteers can join the group for the entire evening from 6:30-8:30 where the programs have speakers and workshops, recreation and team building activities and community service projects or volunteers can just stay for the tutoring time from 6:30-7:00.

The programs are also looking for speakers that can talk about their career, college preparation, life skills, or another topic that would be beneficial for teens.

Saturday School - Volunteers are needed to help with the elementary program. Volunteers would help from 8:30-1:00 on Saturday mornings during the school year by helping serve breakfast and lunch and also acting as a shepherd to lead a group of students as they rotate through classes such as computers, art, recreation, movement and music, Bible stories, science, and library. Volunteers can be individuals or small groups.

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Volunteers do practice conversations with students about daily activities and help teachers in working one on one with students on their assignments.

For the children and youth program a background check is required for all volunteers over age 18.

For more information contact Suzanne Dwight at 214-746-2785 ext. 2378 or suzanned@thestewpot.org

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

A Volunteer Giving Back

Our representative payee program has grown a lot in the last year! Both our caseworkers and an incredible group of volunteers have worked really hard to successfully advocate for clients in the program.

One representative payee volunteer in particular has been recognized by her employer. Linda Jones was selected from 500 Wells Fargo employee applicants to receive the 2011 Volunteer Service Award. As part of this honor, Linda received $10,000 to give to us!

We are so grateful for Linda's faithful service each Tuesday and for her generous donation to our organization. To celebrate we will have a reception next Tuesday for Linda, her co-workers, Stewpot staff, and clients!

The Stewpot has been blessed with so many great volunteers and donors. Thank you guys for all you do to help us accomplish our mission.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Donor Bridge - September 15th

Get ready! The 2011 “Get Up & Give” North Texas Giving Day is quickly approaching. And we need your help! On Thursday, September 15th from 7AM-7PM you can make a donation through Donor Bridge to benefit The Stewpot. All donations over $25 will be matched, which means your donation goes even further.

Help us spread the word and plan to make your donation that day. More information can be found here.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Children and Youth Program Scholarships


This past spring, 100% of the senior graduates of The Stewpot’s Venturing Crew program made plans to go to college. This is fabulous news, bucking the trend that 70% of Hispanic youth in DISD drop out of high school. A total of 45 former Stewpot youth participants are enrolled in college this fall with CM scholarships funding 2011-2012.

Congratulations toErika Ayala at UT Arlington; Sergio Ayala at University of North Texas; Edith Barrera at El Centro; Robert Campos at Del Mar College; Francisco Chavez at UT Austin; Brenda Delgado at University of North Texas; Natalie Gaona at Mountain View; Janie Garcia at Mountain View; Nallely Garcia at Eastfield; Hugo Gonzalez at East Texas Baptist University; Adiel Guillen at Eastfield; Asael Guillen at El Centro; Yaritza Guillen at Richland; Luis Ibarra at Eastfield; Edgar Lucero at UT Austin; Liliana Manzano at El Centro; Christopher Martinez at Eastfield; Leonel Mendez at University of North Texas; Gaby Mendez at El Centro; Maria Mendez at El Centro; Ariana Najera at UT Dallas; Arlene Najera at Eastfield; Eileen Najera at Richland; Daniel Ortiz at Mountain View; Gabriel Ortiz at Eastfield; Sergio Patino at UT Austin; Norman Puga at DeVry; Danielle Rivas at Our Lady of the Lake; Diane Rivas at UT Austin; Diana Rodriguez at Anthem College; Isamar Rojo at Mountain View; Betsy Romero at Richland; Francisco Rosales at Mountain View; Joey Rosales at McPherson College, Kansas; Mayra Rosales at UT Arlington; Kevin Ruiz at El Centro; Ismael Salazar at Eastfield; Elizabeth Ibarra Soto at Mountain View; Rolando Sustaita at Tarrant County College; Roxann Sustaita at University of North Texas; Luis Vargas at Texas A&M; Alisia Vasquez at Texas Woman’s University; and Natalia Vasquez at Midwestern University. Additionally, Juan Faticati at Eastfield and Michael Martinez at Austin Community College have deferred scholarships.

Special congratulations to CM scholars who recently completed their degrees in fall 2010 and spring/summer 2011—Gerardo Altamirano in pschology at UT Arlington; Jennifer Figueroa in engineering technology at Texas A&M; Fanny Guillen in pre-dental at UT Pan American; Jeanette Hernandez in family studies at Texas Woman’s University; Vanessa Leyva in ethnic studies at UT Austin; Steven Medina in electrical engineering at UT Arlington; Angelica Salazar in bilingual education at UT Arlington; and Ilse Zumaya in business management at Texas A&M Commerce.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Happy 65th!

Last week was a very special week at The Stewpot. Our very own, Judy Pfenniger, celebrated her 65th birthday! Judy is our intake coordinator and has been working at The Stewpot for over 20 years. She is a special part of this place and it just wouldn't be the same without her. Our clients love Judy. And she loves them. Once you meet her, you'll never forget her!

We started off the week with a surprise cupcake reception. Monday evening some staff members stayed late to decorate the old dining area. When she walked in Tuesday morning she was blown away! At 10AM we all sang to her and enjoyed some cupcakes. Our art program director, Cynthia Brannum, even made a special crown. Volunteers and former employees showed up to share the day with her. Thursday we had a potluck lunch. Bruce brought out some old memories including photos and jokes that really helped make the day special.

We had a great week celebrating Judy! She is so special to all of us.

The Banner


Judy handing out cupcakes to all of our clients


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Dallas Area Cooling Centers

SALVATION ARMY COOLING STATIONS

Dallas Temple (Love Field Area)
Open Mon.-Fri; 9AM-4PM
6500 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 956-6025

Oak Cliff
Open Mon.-Fri; 9AM-4PM
1617 W. Jefferson
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 941-5911 or 5914

Cedar Crest (East Oak Cliff)
Open Mon.-Fri; 9AM-4PM
1007 Hutchins Road
Dallas, TX 75203
(214) 941-7404

Pleasant Grove
Open Mon.-Fri; 9AM-4PM
8341 Elam Road
Dallas, Texas 75217
214-398-6619

Carr P. Collins Social Services Center Open 7 days a week
5302 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 424-7000

RELIANT ENERGY “BEAT THE HEAT” CENTERS

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Mon.-Fri., 8AM-7PM; Saturday, 8AM-6PM
Dallas, TX 75215
214-670-8367

West Dallas Multipurpose Center Mon.-Fri., 8AM-5PM
2828 Fish Trap Road
Dallas, TX 75212
214-670-6340

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Skyline High School's "A Walk That Feeds"

The Stewpot is pleased to announce that The Stewpot’s "Loaves and Fishes" program will  benefit from the monetary donations collected by high school students at “A Walk that Feeds” on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (CT).  If you would like to register, you may sign up at http://awalkthatfeeds.eventbrite.com/