Family Connection

A year-round safety net for Dallas area children and youth experiencing homelessness and the families standing alongside them.

Since 1989, we’ve been a consistent on-site presence in Dallas-area shelters, transitional living centers, and extended-stay motels. Weekly support groups, summer camps, holiday outings, and monthly food deliveries wherever kids and families need us.

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Families with children are among the fastest-growing segments of the homeless population.

kids in the U.S. experience homelessness each year — 2,000+ in Dallas alone.
0 M
students in Dallas ISD are currently classified as homeless.
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The Issue

Without intervention, traumatic stress lasts.

Children experiencing homelessness are the least likely to have the coping skills, social skills, and consistent adult support they need to thrive. About 42% are under age 6. Without intervention, traumatic stress can lead to lasting behavioral health problems. With it, they can build the resilience to rise above what they’re facing.

of kids experiencing homelessness are under age six.
0 %

What We Deliver

Four wraparound services that show up, year-round.

The CBSG® Program anchors our work. Camps, outings, and a monthly food program surround it, so families get the consistency a hard year demands.

Weekly Support Groups

Trained staff facilitators deliver the CBSG® Program at our partner schools, shelters, and transitional living centers, every week, year-round. Participants have a safe space to share their feelings, learn healthy ways to manage emotions, refuse negative peer pressure, set and achieve goals, and make healthy choices.

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Summer Day Camps

Three signature camps that get children out of the shelter for a week of skill-building, creativity, and engaging activities: Kids’ University, Camp Bravo! and Outdoor Adventure Camp.

  • Kids University
  • Camp Bravo!
  • Outdoor Adventure Camp

Family Outings & Mentored Events

Two large annual events Saturday with Santa and the Back-to-School Celebration, plus smaller mentored excursions are held throughout the year (zoo trips, sporting events, and more) allow children and families to have positive family bonding experiences outside of the shelter.

Project Hope Program

Each month, Brighter Days volunteers and staff provide fresh and shelf-stable food to help address food insecurity for families residing in motels. These children and families are offered additional resources and support throughout the year.

"I feel closer to my family. We talk now instead of always fighting. I’ve learned how to be a good friend to my brothers and sisters. I also know about good and bad choices.”
Dena
Age 10, Family Connection participant

Take Action

Brighter futures begin with caring communities.

01

Partner with us

Bring Family Connection to your residents

We come to you, and we stay. Tell us about your residents’ needs, and we’ll propose a service mix that fits: weekly support groups, family programming, holiday outings, or all of the above.

02

Make it Possible

Help children experiencing homelessness build a brighter future*

Your gift funds support groups, summer camps, and the family outings that turn a hard week into a good memory. A few examples:

  • $25 – a school uniform for a child living in a shelter
  • $60 – a backpack stocked with school supplies
  • $300 – a full week at one of our summer day camps
  • $1,000 – supplies for 300+ kids at one of our annual family outings

03

Show Up

Volunteer at a signature event

Saturday with Santa and the Back-to-School Celebration, and our monthly Food Program are powered by hundreds of volunteers. Bring a team or come on your own.

$25 =

A school uniform for a child living in a shelter

$60 =

A backpack stocked full with school supplies

$300 =

One week at one of our summer day camps

$1,000 =

Supplies for 300* kids at one of our annual family outings