Neighborhood Service Council (NSC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian corporation devoted since 1989  to rescuing and encouraging disadvantaged latchkey children whose parents cannot afford regular day care. NSC concentrates its work on the low-income areas of North Dallas and Richardson near the Coit Road-Spring Valley Road intersection. This unique organization provides a free after-school day care program, with tutoring, and also a free summer day camp in which the children enjoy a variety of instruction and activities that we otherwise be denied to them.

Why We Are Unique

NSC cares for children, but it is much more than a caretaker because it inspires the kids to higher academic achievement and better social relationships. It is an outstanding example of enlightened private action in situations often left up to government agencies.

How We Do It

After-School Program

\NSC's after-school program, Adventure Time, admits elementary school students from the Richardson Independent School District, ranging from kindergarten through 3rd grade. The NSC van picks them up at their schools and transports them to NSC's Activities Center. The children first have time for snacks and recreation and then begin a program that involves games, crafts, doing homework, reading aloud, and other activities directed by trained counselors.  In addition, the children spend time one-on-one with trained volunteer tutors who help them with homework or coach them as they read aloud. This highly structured program has been developed not only through experience but also with the advice of the principals of the local elementary schools, who meet regularly with the Program Director. The parents of the children pick them up before six PM.

Summer Program

NSC's summer program, My Time, admits children ranging in age from 10 to 16, a period of life where they are vulnerable to joining gangs. A free day camp, it operates between 8 AM and 6 PM. There are frequent visits to City of Dallas facilities--swimming pools, gymnasiums and the public library. Counselors introduce the young people to new skills and instill good patterns of behavior.

Volunteers do the Work of NSC, Supported by a Small Staff

The bulk of NSC's work is done by hundreds of volunteers--tutors, coaches, librarians, craft instructors, musical directors, and fund raisers, for example. Ensuring that they work together toward meaningful goals is the NSC staff: Shawn Ainsworth, Program Director. and Susan Condatore,  Administrative Assistant, along with several part-time counselors.

One van driver put it: this way: "Every time I see the kids in a program, I think, 'if they weren't here, where would they be, who would be teaching them, and what would they be learning?'"

Volunteering to help NSC is the right thing to do, and at the same time, it has a direct effect on making our community a better place to live.  When you volunteer with NSC, you will not have to wait long to see results! The kids are there every day, and every day you see them change.  If this piques your interest, just click on "Volunteers" in the list at the upper left-hand corner of this page.

What Are the Results?

Hundreds of NSC "alumni have gone on to responsible jobs, and a significant number of these young people have gone on to college.
 

• One lad from Ghana went through all of NSC's programs and then received a scholarship to a prestigious preparatory school, at which he was elected president of his senior class. He is now in university.
• Another boy from Yucatan went through all of NSC's programs, attended a local high school, went to the University of Texas at Austin on a trumpet scholarship, graduated and is now band director at a local high school.
• A girl from Mexico who went through all of NSC's programs is now a student at Texas Woman's University. She is now serving as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school.

Funding

Funding for NSC comes from diverse sources. All sectors of the community pitch in, among them service organizations such as Northwood Woman's Club and Dallas Junior Forum. The Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs contribute to NSC. If you belong to one of these groups, you can advocate giving to NSC!  Local businesses such as hotels donate to NSC, as often their employees benefit from NSC's services. Homeowners' associations contribute because of the effect NSC has on maintaining high property  values.

A  large segment of NSC's funding comes from individual contributors, in response to direct mail solicitations. You are encouraged to respond generously when you receive an appeal from NSC in the mail! And NSC is grateful for significant financial support from  foundations, such as the Ronald McDonald Foundation, and government agencies, such as  the Community Development Block Grant. 

NSC is not a United Way agency. Also, although NSC is a secular organization with no religious affiliation, it is proud to receive financial support from churches of every faith in our community, bar none, all of whom recognize NSC as a practical  example of service to one's neighbor. You can help NSC by encouraging the church to which you belong to donate to NSC!