Spring-ing Into Action!
New Things Are BLOOMING with Furnishing Families
Hello Friends!
As you may have noticed, things are starting to look differently around here. As Furnishing Families embraces the season of spring and all the possibilities with new growth, we have changed the logo and expanded the color palette in our branding!
You may have also noticed an increase in volume of social media posts and emails! We have joined forces with an amazing marketing team.
So much more is blossoming in this new season, and the excitement of what is happening cannot be contained!
THe YMCA Outreach
The Metropolitan Fort Worth YMCA was founded in 1892. A group of men in The Gospel Wagon would roll down the streets of the gambling houses and brothels of Hell’s Half Acre in Fort Worth. They won the souls of drunken lost men and set them on the path to a new life.
In 1903, during times of segregation, the African American YMCA was housed in the Como Hotel on Jones Street. This building was donated to the Y by William M McDonald, the first black millionaire in the state of Texas. The legacy of this YMCA is rich in supporting the community with programs and opportunities that have a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults.
Last Saturday, Furnishing Families had its second opportunity this year to have a “Great Clothing Giveaway Outreach” at the William M McDonald YMCA.
On the fourth Saturday of every month, the McDonald Y hosts a North Tarrant Mobile Food Bank. As a board member of this YMCA, I saw the opportunity for FFOT to partner with the Y on this day with our passion for community outreach.
On the morning of March 25th, our truck arrived on site, loaded with hygiene products, toys, bibles, swag, and 20 racks of clothing! We were set up and ready when the mobile food bank opened at 11:00 am. Our team loves outreach. Special thanks to all the volunteers, who came to serve with us, as well!
Mitchell Blvd Elementary school, next door to the YMCA, sent out our flyers to their students’ families. Due to this new relationship, we were able to reach a whole new community.
Drum roll please….89 families and 321 individuals left with full bags, joyful and blessed. The Mobile Food Bank provided 8,403 tons of pounds of food to 112 households, representing 596 individuals. The impact of this day was tremendous!
-Karen Kelly (Pictured below next to AJ McCleod, the Executive Director of Community Impact)
Click On the Left Thumbnail
To Watch a Recap of January’s Event
Our Featured Partner
Like many, Dawn first discovered Furnishing Families through Lance Wallnau Ministries on one of Lance’s broadcasts. They would later make acquaintance through a local church. “It was a Divine connection to meet Annabelle,” she says. “I was inspired to connect, because there was synergy and connectivity through apartments, and I felt I could help.”
We love our partner and friend Dawn Waye. Her knowledge and resources cultivated in her extensive career in the apartment management industry have proven invaluable. Dawn has assisted in finding the right channels to use for affordable housing and what apartments to look at based on a family’s budget. She has also answered many directive questions we’ve had along the way.
One of her most impactful contributions to our ministry was introducing us to her son Joel, who has been on our moving team for over two years. In the spring of 2022, Joel brilliantly stepped into the role of Manager of Furnishing Families of Texas role! He not only coordinates the pick-ups and deliveries, but he also manages the team. Dawn shares: “As a mother who sees potential gifts in a child and knows God has a plan, Joel working for Furnishing Families has given me peace and great joy.”
Dawn says: “Furnishing Families came along when I didn’t realize what would be ahead.” In August of 2022, Joel would go through a serious health battle. He experienced severe pancreatitis exacerbated by contracting Covid. “My finite mind was how I could help the ministry,” Dawn says, “But God had the plan to help my family through one of the toughest things we faced.”
After more than a month of bad reports, Joel would eventually make a miraculous turn in recovery. Dawn firmly believes a “would-be-death [was] foiled by prayers of the saints” and the pull of Joel’s calling, or as she describes: “A mission to be fulfilled.” It was a united front to join forces in contending for Joel’s comeback and to see God move! He was the first patient his primary nurse ever saw come out of Hospice in the Medical City Denton.
Dawn says, “If someone is looking for a place to make a difference and give back, Furnishing Families is an amazing ministry, and I promise [that] the collateral gained in the Spirit from partnering with such amazing people and mission will bring great joy.”
We are so grateful for Dawn and look forward to future collaboration in this work. Stay tuned for Joel’s story in a future newsletter.
Spring Cleaning?
If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth Area and would like to find a new home for your new or gently used furniture, please consider Furnishing Families of Texas! Please follow this link to begin the donation process: Donate Furnishings
A New beginning
(Permission was granted to share this story, omitting names for privacy.)
Hear this amazing testimony from a single mother of 5 children. They left a domestic violence situation from another state. They had no furniture or beds. Now they are able to experience a new start with their home needs fully met!
Your friendship in this journey enriches this work's impact.
Your friendship in this journey enriches the impact of Furnishing Families of Texas. Thank you to all who have spread the word of our mission and have given to or received from this ministry.
This beautiful network of love continues to grow, and we are blessed to see what God is doing in this new season.
We are grateful for you!
Warm Regards,
Annabelle and Lance