Each year in Collin County, more than 200 vulnerable children are removed from their homes due to physical, emotional, sexual abuse, abandonment or neglect. Sadly,there are less than 100 foster families in the county. As a result, children are often sent far from their familiar neighborhoods in search of emergency shelter. My Friend’s House will help answer some of the need.

My Friend’s House, in Plano, provides a safe home for children ages newborn to seventeen with a focus on keeping sibling groups together and meeting the needs of children with special abilities and primary medical needs.

During the traumatic time after removal, these vulnerable children need safe shelter,
nutritious food, appropriate clothing, medical and dental care, access to education and various physical and emotional behavioral interventions including individual, group and play therapy.

Living in a familiar home environment helps to reduce the effects of the initial trauma,
adds comfort, and allows the child to experience consistency and predictability. This new
found stability aids in building the child’s sense of worth and they begin to see their
value as a member of the family no matter how big or small.  A new positive sense of
self worth helps guide the child on a path of healing physically and emotionally and allows
the child to begin the healing process more quickly.

VOLUNEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Below is a list of examples of the many volunteer opportunities available. Please also check their website for a more complete list. (www.cityhouse.org then click on programs and select My Friends House)

• Spending time with toddlers or babies.
• Basic housekeeping duties.
• Laundry duty.
• Office work.
• Odds and in jobs to upkeep facility.
• Organizing and taking inventory of donated goods.
• Grocery and Errands
• Homework Helper
• Meal Manners Mentoring (during dinner time)
• Host once a month birthday parties.

For more information, call or email Katie Chong. Or, My Friend’s House Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Rogers at 972.424.4626.