Family Outreach Richardson-Plano Inc

I love working for an organization that PREVENTS child abuse. It is so awesome to know the work I do for the organization can help prevent a life from being devastated or cut short. Most parents want to do well by their children. Family Outreach recognizes this and helps parents cope with the stressors in life, teaches them valuable parenting skills and links them to other resources. As a parenting class instructor and family mentor I have seen the difference the organization makes to families in crisis or on the verge of crisis. The volunteers at Family Outreach are dedicated and loving people who want to make a positive difference for others.

I have been a volunteer for Family Outreach for ten years in various capacities including acting as a Spanish translator. I am amazed at what this organization accomplishes in the transformation of families through the Parenting Classes and Mentoring. The organization is dedicated to strengthening families . The volunteers are 100% dedicated in helping children to be safe and secure. It has been an awesome experience to be associated with this organization and the wonderful dedicated volunteers.

As a long time volunteer with this organization, I am continually amazed by the dedication and caring people who volunteer with Family Outreach. Because of their time and effort, lives have been changed. It is a joy to see the transformation of families who are offered hope and a pathway to a better future for thier families.

Family Outreach is an amazing organization that breaks the cycle of abuse that occurs within families for generations. Family Outreach Volunteers work one-on-one with families referred from CPS for long periods of time to insure that a family is stable and able to cope with the day to day stress factors that often lead to abuse. They never abandon a family; if a family begins to have trouble after a case is closed Family Outreach will step in and once again and assist the family in order to protect the children. Perhaps most importantly those who work with Family Outreach genuinely care for those they serve and thus become a lifeline for desperate families who often have nowhere else to turn.

This organization is single minded in its mission in helping families stay the course in challenging times. The offering of mentoring families and parenting classes is without a doubt a most needed contribution to the community as a whole and individual family units overall. The leadership stationed at Family Outreach is totally committed to keeping families intact and educated. Education is a key component in helping families balance the many facets of work and parenting. Enthusiasm about what they do and what they are about is only exceeded by the compassion they demonstrate to families in need.

Anna Cross

Having recently wrapped up a previous volunteer obligation, and having some extra time available, I sought a local organization via a volunteer-match website. I wanted a group that helped families in the Richardson/Plano area. I was matched up with Family Outreach, and I'm very glad that I was.

This is a great group of dedicated volunteers that provide vital services within our community. It is a very efficient organization that carefully stewards the donations it receives. I am involved in fundraising for them, and have found my work to be rewarding and enjoyable.

I would highly recommend Family Outreach as a place to volunteer one's time, and as a great beneficiary for one's donations to help families and children overcome abusive situations.

I have been a volunteer at Family Outreach for over 5 years. During my tenure, I have mentored a family, taught parenting classes, served as treasurer, and am currently liaison to the auxiliary board, the fund-raising arm of Family Outreach. A committed and dedicated organization, Family Outreach is instrumental in preventing child abuse through its programs of mentoring and parenting instruction. Although I now live in Denton County, this fabulous group of people will always remain near and dear to me.

THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING GROUP TO WORK WITH AND SHARE OUR LOVE OF FAMILIES BENEFITING FROM ONE ON ONE MENTORING. Teaching parenting classes also has great satisfaction knowing the changes parents make when raising their children in a healthier environment .
The volunteers are very dedicated to improving family life in our community.

I first became involved with Family Outreach when I was the Charities Chairperson for an International Women's Organization. We selected Family Outreach as our charity several years in a row because they focused on keeping families intact while not wasting a penny of our donation. Eighteen months ago I was asked to join the auxiliary board to help with fundraising. It is not an easy task, but I have been encouraged to double my efforts by the positive feedback that comes - albeit confidentially - from the client families. I will never meet them face to face, but their success stories are just inspirational!

Family Outreach changes lives. I have volunteered since 2006 in various areas. My favorite area of volunteering is teaching parenting classes. America is changing, people have to move across county for jobs, new parents do not live near family and it is often hard for them to deal with the parenting issues as they arise. Many people need just a little help and to know they are not alone with various issues. I would like to share a few lines of a poem from one of my former parenting class students: "Learning things I thought I knew, when all in all, that wasn't quiet so true. Skills being taught to me and who would have thought this would ever be? My toddler, 3, actually obeying and listening to me. Although at first, I felt this was such a waste of time, I have to say, the pleasure has been all mine."

This is what makes Family Outreach Richardson-Plano such a rewarding experience. This organization changes lives for the better.

Family Outreach continues to be a organization dedicated to helping families - be it parenting classes, in home mentoring and casework, a help-line for community info and referrals - the goal to prevent child abuse and neglect has never wavered! And I am proud to be on the Auxiliary Board of this great organization that works tirelessly to meet that goal.

I have been a volunteer at Family Outreach, Richardson-Plano for over 12 years. That tells you there is something compelling about being a volunteer there.

The mission is child abuse prevention. While everyone thinks child abuse is just awful and we read/see about it in the media, the question is: "Who will do something about it?"

Well, there is something you can do. You can join forces with Family Outreach which can make your life more fulfilling. It is a great group with whom to work and a cause worth working for.

I have been a volunteer with Family Outreach for almost 20 years. During the new volunteer training, we were encouraged to learn about the different volunteer opportunities-mentoring, community education and parenting classes. I chose to sit in on a parenting class as I had never heard of such a thing. As I walked into the class I was thinking, "What kind of people need parenting classes?" However, after just one class, I knew that I was that 'kind of person.' At the time, my family was in crisis (another one!)and my husband and I were raising our first grandchild. It is not an exaggeration to say that what I learned in those classes made all the difference in the type of person he is today...an intelligent, responsible, thoughtful and caring adult who understands that every choice has a consequence, whether good or bad. Simply put, my life, and that of many others in my family, has been changed for the better because Family Outreach and its dedicated volunteers were there. And, because they were there when I needed them (even though I didn't know it), I have made it my mission to also "be there" for as many parents and grandparents, in as many locations, as possible to have the same wonderful opportunity I had.

The mission of Family Outreach of preventing child abuse and neglect in the community is one I have supported as a volunteer, board member, donor, and community member. Since 1973 Family Outreach as served the community through mentoring at risk families, parenting classes, anti-victimization programs and prevention programs. The volunteer members are diligent stewards of their funding and their talent. I know of no other organization that does so much with so little. Family Outreach has an amazing success rate.

As a volunteer Family Outreach Richardson-Plano, Inc. gives me the opportunity to be a part of the process of empowering others to make a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of their children. I am grateful for their mission and I am grateful for the the heart of this organization, a heart which is filled with committment and love toward humanity.

I started Volunteer for Family Outreach this year and it was a warm welcome. The ladies are a very wonderful group that spend their time helping others. They are such a wonderful group of ladies that are always willing to help anyone out. I have learned so much from all of them and the training is excellent. The parenting classes that are offered are very well planned. This is a great organization with a lot of Love, dedication and beautiful people with big hearts.

Family Outreach is an organization of volunteers who provide services to the community in working to eliminate child abuse and neglect. The women and men in the group are dedicated and put in numerous volunteer hours. I have taught parenting classes which are open to the community, and many of the parents taking these classes are amazed at how the skills and tools they learn can be incorporated in relationships with their children, spouses, co-workers. Most of the parents are referred through CPS and the Courts. They come to the first class angry and resistant. Usually by the second or third class they are participating and sharing how they see a difference in their relationships. Mentoring families is another way parents recognized with problems can learn how to be better parents. I have been a mentor, and it is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the parents and children. I am proud to be a volunteer with Family Outreach Richardson-Plano.

This organization has been a God-send for mysekf and my children. I came to the program through working with CPS and they have completely helped make our experience life changing. We have been able to do some family counseling and well as have a personal worker that comes to our house and helps with anything we need. From getting information on assistance with bills to information about programs for the kids to finanical planning/money management, time management and a number of other things. I am very grateful for this program and all the assistance it has continued to provide for myself and my family.

As a new member of the fundraising board since early 2012, I've been very impressed with the spirit of giving, hope, dedication of volunteers. Their selflessness is inspiring, and the services that they provide are an important contribution to the health of families in our community. Further I've found its programs to be effective and their stewadship of donated resources excellent & conscientious. This is a very worthy organization.

Family Outreach of Richardson-Plano changes lives. We mentor families to a better life. Our goal is to stop child abuse one family at a time. Many of our clients just need a guiding hand or parenting classes. I have volunteered in many different areas. I was a mentor of a family, one mom and three kids. This mom was working two jobs and going to school and trying to create a better life for herself and her children. The family was referrred to us for a simple error in judgement, with time and working through the details...they are on the right track. I work at the help desk monthly, answering calls and researching to find the right answer for the help they are needing. Lastly, I taught seven week parenting classes for over two years. It has been the highlight of my Family Outreach volunteering. The classes are court ordered for many parents. It is a basic class, but the growth and joy these individuals show upon completing the class makes it all worthwhile. I have fond memories of all my former students and look forward to teaching again very soon.

I have volunteered for Family Outreach for over 10 years and I keep coming back. Presently I mentor a family which needs help obtaining resources such as food stamps, Texas Assistance to Needy Families, counseling and more. Consistency and emotional support along with limited financial help is also provided. I have served in various administrative jobs. This agency's mission is child abuse prevention. No cause could be more important. The other volunteers are wonderful people with whom to work.

The best group of volunteers I have ever been associated with. Each one of them is 100% commited to the idea of creating a better home for the children of Collin County through parent eduction, mentoring and providing resources needed in everyday life. I've been involved with dozens of volunteer organizations over the years and have never served with one that was this professionaly run and has such a direct effect on the clientele they serve.

This organization provides parent training for children age 0 to 12 yrs old. Every parent should participate in these classes, maybe more than once. My husband and I attended "Childbirth classes" which mostly focused on the birthing experience. Which only lasts one to 6 yours and it is mostly out of your control anyway. The Dr. and nurses are in control. After our baby was born, we were like now what !! She won't stop crying, what is wrong. We should have been taking parenting classes, which teach you how to raise a strong, independent, self-assured, calm child. EVERY parent should be taking these classes, every grandparent, aunts, uncles, babysitters, and teachers should also take these classes. The classes that I participated in made me realize why I had experienced some of the problems that I did, when I was young. I want to start teaching these classes so that I can help others live a more meaningful life. A life that they can flow through easily without repeated complications with others and with authority figures. I have also worked the Help-Line at Family Outreach. We provide information to people in the community about various resources that are available; wheter it is homework help, food, clothing, shelter, etc. We are the one stop shop for providing lots of information to people in the community.

I have volunteered with Family Outreach, Richardson-Plano for 5 years. I have served as a volunteer, Secretary and President. I have taught parenting classes and mentored families. I have seen the difference Family Outreach Richardson-Plano has made with the families we serve. I am honored to volunteer with a group that is so committed to their mission to prevent child abuse and neglect through one-on-one support to families.

I have helped with fund raising for Family Outreach. As a result, I have heard from clients served. It is a remarkable organization with dedicated volunteers and staff that really makes a difference in the lives of local families. Their intervention certainly prevents larger problems.

I became a volunteer with Family Outreach in 1990. After our first orientation session, I knew I had found the perfect place to be a volunteer'. A warm loving group. I chose to lead Parenting Classes. I found it rewarding as parent's in my classes learned and used new skills to help them become more effective parents. I also gained new skills in being a parent, wife and friend. One experience of the many positive experiences, I had. A couple were court ordered to attend parenting classes. The woman's 2 daughter's had been placed in foster care. The first few classes neither contributed to our discussions. By the 3rd class the mother started participating, then the next time her partner. I learned her mother had died when she was 13., therefore she had never been parented. She and her partner realized how important the skills they learned in class would help them when her girls came home. A very rewarding experience for me as the leader. Sally McKeen

I became a volunteer with Family Outreach two years ago after a brief search for an organization that would allow me to work with improving the lives of children and youth. As a volunteer I work as a mentor to families in need of support, guidance and encouragement. Overwhelmed by daily survival issues, the families I have mentored have benefited from our organization's commitment to meet weekly for an extended period of time addressing issues that will allow them to improve their circumstances thereby lessening the potential for further abuse and/or neglect. It is an honor to work with Family Outreach in making a positive difference in the lives of these families oppose to levying punitive measures for infractions.

I have been a volunteer with Family Outreach for the past fourteen months. After working in CPS (Child Protective Services) for several years and making referral to parenting classes I know see firsthand the rewards parent and children gain from the classes. It is a wonderful experience to observe first hand parents learning new and exciting techniques for parenting. The parents continue to share their experience long after the classes have ended. It is truly energizing.

I have been a volunteer for Family Outreach now for about four years. I have taught several parenting classes and have mentored individual families. It is so rewarding to have the students return to class each week to tell their stories of how the things they have learned are making such a huge difference in raising their children. It is also very rewarding to see the appreciation from the families as they get their lives back on track with the help of Family Outreach through the mentoring program.

I have been a volunteer for about 4 years now and it is just amazing to see and hear of all of the lives changed because of the wonderful volunteers. I have had the privilege of working directly with families and seeing the change in their family as a result of Family Outreach. I have read letters from parents that take the parenting classes offered by Family Outreach volunteers and it is just amazing to hear how they are changing the way that they parent in a positive way! It is a blessing to be able to work with all of these wonderful people who continually strive to prevent child abuse and neglect.