Some people have had financial emergencies late at night – their utilities are shut off, for example – and they need to apply for financial aid fast.
Duncanville Outreach Ministry in Duncanville, Texas, is open from 9:30 am to 12:30 am, just in case of any kind of emergency. And if people need to reach anyone at Duncanville Outreach after those hours, they can dial 211 for emergencies.
The organization has always been there for Duncanville residents who need temporary financial assistance due to hardships. Established 30 years ago, the organization relies on community donations of food and clothing, but also raises money in other ways to give back. Duncanville Outreach redistributes about 97.4% of what they take in by selling donated clothes in a thrift store they opened, as well. That’s a number almost unheard of in the non-profit sector.
In addition, depending on the time of year, Directors of Duncanville Outreach Anita and Tony Davis put together helpful packages with toys and seasonal items: back-to-school packs with school supplies, toys for children for Christmas.
The organization has always had a high level of support from the community, but in the recent economic times, locals need the organization more than ever.
However, community donations of food and clothing have decreased in recent months, making it harder for Duncanville Outreach to give back.
“The need to give has expanded in the last few years, and typically, most charities have a harder time meeting the demand,” ActionCOACH Business Coach Stephen Marino said.
Marino should know. He has volunteered to coach Duncanville Outreach for the global pro-bono coaching initiative Coaching for a Cause, started by ActionCOACH this year to help guide non-profits through challenging economic times.
Duncanville Outreach’s primary goal is to reach a budget of $1 million.
“I am passionate about helping them achieve a $1 million budget,” Marino said. “The slow economy has definitely affected donations.”
Marino met Anita and Tony at a networking event. When ActionCOACH announced Coaching for a Cause, the new initiative proved to be a natural fit between the coaching company and the non-profit.
To help increase donations, Marino is working with the organization to implement some unique and non-traditional strategies to bring in additional assistance and donations.
“I am wholeheartedly on board with helping Duncanville Outreach,” he said. “It’s a great local cause that has been very successful. I feel coaching them can be tremendously helpful to its business in structure and overall purpose.”
Davis is looking forward to the entire coaching process.
“I think the Coaching for a Cause program is a great initiative by ActionCOACH and I look forward to getting started,” she said. “I am very excited to learn new ideas and strategies to help increase charitable donations so we can assist with the growing need for assistance within our community.”
Coaching for a Cause is an innovative new program from ActionCOACH, the world's number one business and executive coaching firm that makes pro-bono coaching available to charities and non-profits worldwide. To learn more, go to coachingforacause.org or subscribe to RSS news feeds at news.actioncoach.com.
