Making Hearts Smile
One Home at a Time
2012 Annual Report
DFB
Greetings
From Dallas Furniture Bank Executive Director:
Dear Friends of Dallas Furniture Bank,
One of my favorite quotes “For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis
of Assisi. Allows me to lead by example, through giving and supporting our
community and receiving a heart that is full of purpose. I’m excited to be
at the helm of this great organization and move forward the vision of
Dallas Furniture Bank.
We commend our founders Sheryl Fields Bogen and Jerry Szor for their vision in 2003 to aid and
bridge the gap in critical services needed in Dallas. Many families would return to the shelter or sit
in an empty home without the assistance of Dallas Furniture Bank. I applaud you in answering the
call of volunteerism and collaborative partnership to assist Dallas Furniture Bank in impacting the
lives of our clients. I’m excited to share that in the 2012 program year we impacted over 2,000
individuals … a milestone year for Dallas Furniture Bank. Without furniture donations, monetary
donations, volunteers, and agency partners; you made our work possible and we continue to create
safe and stable home environments for our families.
I want to personally thank the staff, board of directors, volunteers and donors for supporting DFB as
we are “Making Hearts Smile, One Home at a Time”. … The best is yet to come. Please join us
as we have a host of opportunities for your involvement and support throughout the year. You can
make a difference!
Warmest Regards,
Aliah M. Henry
DFB Executive Director
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From Dallas Furniture Bank Board Chair:
Dear Friends and Supporters of Dallas Furniture Bank,
Dallas Furniture Bank (DFB) started the year 2012 with high expectations. With
our new Executive Director’s energy and enthusiasm, our largest to-date goal to
serve 500 families made for an exciting year. We were fortunate to have
continued support from foundations and individuals, especially with our broader
program. We were also very fortunate to have a record year for furniture donations and furniture
distributions for DFB.
On the fundraising side, winter and spring brought fabulous events. DFB held our 7th annual
CHAIRity Friendraiser, “You Ought to be in Pictures”, at Edison’s Dallas, and the 4th annual “Battle
of the Bakers”, honoring DFB 40 under 40 at The Room on Main. To add to our giving-back to the
community was the fall event, the 5th annual Safe Baby Health Education and Crib Distribution, in
association with Parkland Healthy Start. This was followed by a community baby shower at the
Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center.
As a board, our focus was to prioritize a list of actions for DFB, and accomplish them within the 2012
year. Included in our goals were strategic planning, purchasing a donor database software,
commissioning an agency video and creating a new website design. All of these goals in one year
were lofty tasks, but none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the
generous contributions of the board, staff and dedicated volunteers.
My deepest thanks goes to all of those who support Dallas Furniture Bank.
Chandana Narayan
DFB Board Chair 2012-2014
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DFB
At A Glance
Mission:
The mission of Dallas Furniture Bank (DFB) is to provide furniture that meets basic living needs to
families and individuals who are transitioning out of homelessness, or to others in need. Working in
collaboration with multiple Dallas social service agencies, DFB identifies people in need and helps
them to acquire basic household furnishings.
History:
Dallas Furniture Bank was established in 2003 in response to the lack of furniture resources for
homeless people who secure housing. Before DFB, many of these individuals and families had no
furniture to move into their new homes, and were forced to sleep and eat on the floor and exist daily
in a barren place -- conditions not even experienced in their shelter living. The effort was
spearheaded by long-time friends and community volunteers Sheryl Fields Bogen and Jerry Szor.
They surveyed many social service agencies in Dallas, as well as potential funding sources.
Everyone agreed that the needs were great and no other organization or agency was equipped to
respond. Dallas Furniture Bank is the furniture bank in the Dallas metro area.
Purpose:
Dallas Furniture Bank’s program fills the missing gap in the continuum of care for transitional
homeless and low-income families. Though many of our agency partners provide housing for those
in need, the resource of furniture is not provided to approximately 90% of these families. At DFB, we
believe that living spaces should be filled. Furniture not only fills a house with practical comfort, but
also instills a sense of hope and dignity. DFB collects basic household furniture from private
households and businesses, and stores them in a warehouse for future distribution. Simply put, we
coordinate the transfer of unwanted, usable furniture from people that wish to dispose of it, to those
who desperately need it. Our mission is good for the environment, the economy, and, most
importantly, people in need. Working with social service agencies that refer clients to us, DFB
provides this basic furniture to previously homeless families and others in need, resulting in
increased chances for self-sufficiency, higher levels of self-esteem, and long-term stability.
Did you know?
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DFB has provided furniture for over 2,250 families, since 2003. Our service has impacted the lives of
over 9,000 individuals.
95% of Dallas Furniture Bank clients are intact families; 69% of these families include children who are
under the age of 10; and almost 70% of referred families are headed by single mothers.
Basic household furniture increases overall stability and significantly aids in improving children’s
academic performance and parents’ workplace behavior.
DFB developed relationships with and secured furniture from national and local corporations, and hotel
vendors such as: Freed’s Home Furnishings, La-Z-Boy, The Arrangement, Chase Hospitality, Charter
Furniture, Dormae Products, Inc., Serta, Baymont Inn & Suites and Aiden Gray.
DFB saves its member agencies approximately $200,000 annually in expenses related to furniture
provision.
Furniture is collected from close to 450 donor homes and businesses each year.
Families in need are referred to us by approximately 30 Dallas area human service agencies.
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DFB
Stewards
Statement of Activities
hip
For Year Ending December 31, 2012 (Unaudited, as cash basis)
Revenue & Support
Contributions
Special Events
Program Fees
Grants
Other Income
Total Revenue & Support
$ 44,122
56,332
57,109
220,979
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$ 378,578
Expenditures
Program
Administrative
Fundraising
$ 227,022
24,779
31,376
Total Expenditures
$ 283,177
Net Difference
$
95,401
DFB
Future View
As Dallas Furniture Bank (DFB) looks ahead, our overall goals are to continue to stabilize our
infrastructure, build our service capacity, and improve our facilities for service.
Here are a few items planned for the upcoming year:
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Add one office and one warehouse staff position
Build a young professionals network based support system that will help to promote agency
programs and events.
Make necessary capital improvements:
o Upgrading computer system
o Upgrade warehouse and truck equipment
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DFB
2012 Clients
In 2012, DFB served approximately 511 families, representing a total of 2044 individuals and
children. Although, our families come from many different ethnic backgrounds and age groups, all of
our clients share in their desire to transform their lives, and to find greater independence and
stability for their families.
68%
32%
47%
26%
2%
3%
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Quotes from DFB Clients:
“The experience was very nice, staff was friendly and I received some really nice pieces. My family
has been enjoying the furniture, it has been a blessing. We are now able to eat dinner together.”
- K. Pryor
“The bed I received from DFB is allowing me to have a full nights rest with no more back aches and
my lounge chair is great.”
- Melvin
“We have been through so much, and to finally have a home and furniture has brought us peace and
happiness.”
- Jessica, referred by Under 1 Roof
“My kids and new baby will have somewhere to sleep.”
- L.C., referred by Children’s Medical Center
“I’m a single father and DFB blessed our family to get furniture that I otherwise wouldn’t have been
able to afford. It’s been a blessing, now my daughter has a dresser for her clothes.”
- B. Stewart
“Words cannot express how thankful I am for an organization like Dallas Furniture Bank. Me and my
son are a part of a program that houses and sustains single parent families, so when I heard about
DFB through my program, I was eager to learn more. I was informed of the “Make My Home Smile”
project and was able to get entered into the contest, a few weeks later I was notified that I had won. I
felt truly blessed to be selected for this project, and DFB by far exceeded my expectations when
they showed up to deliver the furniture. We were greeted by a group of people who felt like family
and the furniture they brought was beautiful, and unlike anything I have ever been able to have for
myself or my family. They were awesome help, even going as far to folding my son’s clothes that
were in his closet to make it easier to put up in his new dresser. Eating with my son at our new
kitchen table has made me realize how much the little things count and how I have so much in my
life to be appreciative of. My home was empty before DFB came in; they not only filled it with
furniture, but feelings of warmth, love and genuine kindness. I feel beyond blessed and will forever
be thankful of this blessing for my family. I couldn’t have done it without you all, thank you so much
for everything that you guys have done and continue to do for the community!”
Sincerely,
The Kane-Bowen Family
Jessica, Caidyn, and Evie
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Families Served
“I feel like I have a home instead of an empty
house. I feel like I made it through the bad … as
I am trying to rebuild my life, I would have an
empty house if it wasn’t for y’all”
- Erin
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DFB
Programs
DFB had a productive service year, emphasizing our collaboration with Partner Agencies as we
focused on basic needs furniture. We continue to provide our service through a two-tier approach: inreach and out-reach. The in-reach component allows DFB to serve individuals and families in need,
referred to us from our Partner Agencies. Those referred are able to visit DFB’s warehouse and selfselect various furniture items to meet their needs as they re-enter independent living. They then
arrange for the delivery or pick up of their selected furniture. Each referred family pays a program fee,
on an average, of $20 per furniture item.
The out-reach component, often called an "out-reach project", provides furniture in volume to
community agencies housing multiple families within the same or concentrated location. These furniture
items are pre-determined by the Partner Agency and DFB, based upon need and inventory availability,
and are selected by DFB staff and volunteers for distribution. These items are taken directly into the
units for the newly relocated occupants. The Partner Agency assumes associated costs for the furniture
and delivery at the same pricing structure used in the in-reach component. On average, the Partner
Agency invests about $80-$150 per unit. Our Partner Agencies love this concept because it’s efficient,
cost effective and meets the needs of multiple families at one time. It also allows DFB to serve a
broader range of community partners.
We host twice-monthly Warehouse Visitation Days (WVD) at our facility where multiple clients come at
the same time, and self-select the furniture items of their choice. The WVDs also increased our
volunteer support significantly. Each WVD is primarily volunteer-supported. This is a benefit to the
agency because it helps to supplement the lean staff of DFB. It’s also a benefit to the volunteer
because it offers them the chance to personally interact with the families by assisting them in their
furniture selections. Finally, it is an added value and benefit to the families because the volunteers
represent an additional layer of support for them.
DFB’s furniture program is on-going, with a focus on basic needs furniture. Most of our furniture is
donated from individual donors, hotels and retail businesses. Program fees and financial contributions
from individuals and foundations help to facilitate the necessary costs associated with our service, such
as the staff coordination between the agencies and families, transportation expenses for furniture
delivery and donation pick-up, the warehouse fees for safe storage and upkeep of furniture, and the
wholesale purchase of furniture items which are not routinely donated (chests, beds, lamps, etc.). Our
program helps to keep the environment clean, by diverting thousands of pounds of disposal items from
crowded landfills and redirecting them into the homes of newly transitioned families that so desperately
need it. We believe that furniture not only fills a house with practical comfort, but also instills a sense of
hope and dignity.
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DFB
2012 Program Highlights
Out-Reach and In-Reach Service
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DFB Furniture Program
o Families Served: 511 families / 2044 individuals
o Pickups from donors: 297
o Deliveries to clients: 83
o Volunteer Hours: 841 (approximate)
Inside One of Our Homes
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DFB Community Projects
o 5th Annual DFB Crib Drive: Served 31 Mothers in Need / Community Fair served 125
individuals
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Volunteer Groups
o Wee Volunteer
o Young Men’s Service League
o Moving On Up
o Windsor Communities
o Dewitt School Staff, Carrollton/Farmers Branch ISD
o Greenhill School Alumnae
o 40 under 40
o Legacy at Willow Bend
You Make My Home Smile Project - Partnered with Hockaday and St. Marks School
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4th year partnership to completely furnish a Habitat for Humanity home
Built by the students and homeowner in West Dallas for a single mother and her son, at no cost.
DFB provided furniture, home accessories and volunteers for the home.
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DFB 5th Annual Safe Baby Crib Distribution
Since 2007, Dallas Furniture Bank has connected with young mothers to provide them with
education, in English and in Spanish, on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and co-sleeping, in
partnership with Dallas Healthy Start. Historically, the majority of the mothers have been between
the ages of 14-24, and are primarily African American and Hispanic, all living below the national
poverty level. The items we need to be donated are: formula, diapers, onesies, or funds used to
purchase these needed items.
5th Annual Crib Drive and Community Baby Shower, September 22, 2012 - Aliah Henry and
Lisa Padilla, the Crib Drive Chairs worked in partnership with Parkland’s Dallas Healthy Start
program, Wee Volunteer, Family and Children Institute and Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute.
DFB provided 31 Mothers with educational training for promoting healthy sleep habits and overall
infant safety along with a free portable crib and a gift bag for each registered family. DFB provided
the mothers, their family and the community residents with a Community Baby Shower with local
health care providers and cupcakes sponsored by Society Bakery. Many baby diapers, wipes and
accessories were donated by individual donors for raffle prizes and gift bags.
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DFB
People
To effectively provide our service, multiple community partners are needed. Each person and group
plays a unique and integral in our accomplishments. DFB’s program is made possible by all of the
following individuals and groups listed below.
DFB Service Partners for 2012-2013
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Adult Rehabilitation Ministry (ARMS)
AIDS Arms, Inc.
Allies in Service
Back On My Feet
Builders of Hope CDC
Catholic Charities of Dallas *
Children & Family Institute
Children’s Medical Center
Concord Missionary Baptist Church – Dallas
Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home – Denton
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Dallas Leadership Foundation
Dallas Metrocare Services *
Family Gateway
The Family Place
Habitat for Humanity – Dallas
Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Hopeful Solutions
Housing Crisis Center *
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Irving Bible Church
Jewish Family Services
Legacy Counseling Center
Lifeline Shelter for Families – Grand Prairie
LifeNet Community Behavioral Healthcare
Mosaic Family Services
New Beginning Center
New Friends New Life
Nexus Recovery Center *
North Dallas Shared Ministries
The Senior Source, Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas
Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation
Under 1 Roof
Urban League of Greater Dallas
Vogel Alcove Childcare Center for the Homeless
The Wilkinson Center
* Denotes agencies that are in In-reach and Out-reach
programs
“Nobody’s doing this type of service – and the way
you all do it – it’s a seamless process to get clients
served and it meets the needs. This program makes
so much sense. I just love it.”
- Judy Rorrie, Executive Director, North Dallas Shared
Ministries
" Under 1 Roof values the relationship with Dallas
Furniture Bank. Our agency could not meet the
need of providing furniture to Under 1 Roof
program participants without the support of
Dallas Furniture Bank. We appreciate the
partnership. Thank you for being out partner in
assisting with stabilizing homeless families in our
community.”
– Verna Jones, Executive Director, Under 1 Roof
"The clients’ are always so pleasantly surprised
upon visiting the warehouse. They can’t believe
the quality of the furniture. We always tell them
that because DFB can’t serve everybody, it is a
privilege to be served by them; we firmly believe
that."
- Justin Vander, Aids Arms, Inc.
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DFB Supporters
Dallas Furniture Bank (DFB) strongly depends on support from private foundations and other
funding sources to continue the vital work that we provide to the Dallas community. Without their
support, we would be unable to carry out our mission and sustain our program service to those
families who are transitioning from homeless environments or situations of need. DFB is grateful for
the support of our funders!
Co-founders
Sheryl Fields Bogen
Jerry Szor
Officers
Chandana Narayan, Chair
Leonard Krasnow, Treasurer
Alexandra Sizemore, Secretary
Kristine Schwope, Past-Chair
Dallas Furniture Bank Staff
Aliah M. Henry, Executive Director
Kelly McKinnon, Operations Manager
William Cummings, Warehouse Manager
Rodrick Nelson, Driver/Warehouse Assistant
Board of Directors
Sharon Berry
Brandon Brumfiled
Tre Carruthers
Will Cobb
Steve Eisnaugle
Bert Fischel
Eric Goldberg
Lynne Mabry
Allan Rosen
Evan W. Stone
Julie Tanner
Out Reach Partners (* new in 2012)
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Catholic Charities of Dallas –
Refugee Housing
Nexus Recovery Center –
Transitional Housing
(women/children)*
Housing Crisis Center – Transitional
Housing*
Metrocare Services – Individual
Transitional Housing*
Foundations
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Baron and Blue Foundation
Community Foundation of Texas
Fannie and Stephen Kahn Charitable
Foundation
Gil & Dody Weaver Foundation
Harold Simmons Foundation
Hawn Foundation
Hersh Foundation
John R. McCune Charitable Trust
M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation
Northwood Women’s Club
ORIX Foundation
Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable &
Educational Trust
Redmond Foundation
Rosewood Foundation
Women of Saint Michael
W.P. & Bulah Luse Foundation
United Way of Metropolitans Dallas
In Kind Donors (* new in 2012)
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Freed’s Home Furniture
Seta Dormae*
Bed Start
Chase Hospitality
LA-Z-BOY
AT&T
Charter Furniture*
Crossroads Inn – hotel liquidation*
Aidan Gray*
Interfaith Housing Coalition – office
liquidation*
Children’s Hospital*
Contran Corporation*
Cousins Properties, Inc.*
Pallet Logistics of America*
Baymont Inn & Suites*
Life Net*
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DFB Program Volunteers
Volunteers from the
employees of Windsor
Community
DFB Team and our
volunteers from UNTDenton and YMSL
(Young Men’s Service
League)
YMSL volunteers
assist DFB clients to
load their trucks
Moving On Up
Volunteers
Wee
Volunteers
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The DFB Warehouse
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DFB
Special Events
5th Anniversary CHAIR-ity Friendraiser
Legends & Legacy
Honorary Co-Chairs: Sally & Forrest Hoglund, Karen & David Weinreb
DFB celebrated their 5th annual fundraising event by honoring some of Dallas’ finest “legends” and
their selected “legacies”. Philanthropist and advocate Ruth Altshuler honored fellow philanthropist
Caren Protrho; Dallas media icon Gloria Campos of WFAA-TV honored Designer Oscar Fierro; and
Rev. Arrvel Wilson, President of the West Dallas Initiative honored The Rees-Jones Foundation
(Trevor and Jan Rees). The dinner event was held at The Westin Galleria.
Chandana Narayan,
DFB Board Chair
Aliah M. Henry, DFB
Executive Director
Kristine Schwope,
Past DFB Board Chair
John Barnes, DFB Volunteer
Honoree:
Barbara Rose, DFB Volunteer
Kristine Schwope, Past DFB
Board Chair
Honoree:
Nandy Pranav, President of Chase
Hospitality
Sheryl Bogen, DFB Co-Founder
Honore:
Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn
College
Lenny Krasnow, President of the Edna
Zale Foundation
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2nd Annual “How Sweet It Is: Battle of the Bakers Honoring
Dallas Furniture Bank’s 40 under 40”
Event Chair: Whitney Brandon, Dallas Cowboys
This Dallas Furniture Bank (DFB) event was established to highlight the community leadership of
40 individuals, 40 years old and younger. It its 2nd year, the event also hosted 10 pastry chefs from
the Dallas area that competed for coveted awards, decided by a panel of judges from the food
industry and People’s Choice Awards. Marc Events was the host facility.
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How You Can Help?
Donate Furniture … Donate Money … Donate Time!
Help us help those who need help.
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Making Hearts Smile One
Home at a Time
P.O. Box 815788
Dallas, TX 75381-5788
Phone: 972.466.0600
Email: [email protected]
www.dallasfurniturebank.org
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