The story of Dallas LIFE starts with a man named Reverend Robert J. Key, one of the founders of the Union Gospel Mission in 1949. With Dallas' homeless population growing in the post war years, Reverend Key left UGM to begin establishing the Dallas Rescue Mission. It was this endeavor that would become Dallas LIFE, now the largest homeless shelter in North Texas.
Dallas Rescue Mission opened its doors in 1954 in a small storefront location on Commerce Street. The first location was just a few blocks from the city jail and housed 25 men each night. There, Rev. Key would minister to the men who came to him nightly for shelter and a hot meal. Rev. Key and his volunteers kept the shelter open every night for the next 25 years.
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Services Offered
Counseling Services
Our skilled counselors are Masters-level interns who help residents address their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs - and develop a healthy self-image, realistic perspective, and stable support system. The counseling relationship provides a safe and confidential environment that is built on trust and acceptance.
All residents of Dallas LIFE are able to participate in individual and group therapy sessions with counselors on a consistent basis. Play therapy is offered for children.
Child & Teen
Emotional Support Children and teens can receive confidential counseling if they desire. Teens may participate in mentoring programs where they are paired with an older individual to guide them in specific areas.
Parenting Services Dallas LIFE offers childcare/daycare referrals, parenting classes, nutrition classes, and counseling to our residents with children.
Fees and Payment
Participating in counseling is voluntary and sessions are offered free of charge.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Texas' program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Texas' program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.