Vogel will celebrates Founder’s Day on March 29. It’s a celebration of over 3 decades of caring for the most vulnerable, neglected members of our community– homeless children and their families.
Our agency’s highly-skilled teachers, social workers, counselors, and therapists help children cope with the trauma of homelessness and give parents the support they need to improve their families’ lives. Explore a timeline of our history, photos through the years, our 35th Anniversary Champions, and more, right here. Become a part of our future! Your gift will help us continue providing our services and programs in the years to come.
1985 – 1986
The Social Action Committee of Congregation Shearith Israel, chaired by Thelma Vogel, goes on a bus tour through Dallas. Moved by the plight of homeless people in the city, they take action.
The committee decides to sponsor a project to address homeless families. They establish a structure to expand participation from the Jewish community with representatives from 21 synagogues and Jewish organizations. The project is named the Dallas Jewish Coalition for the Homeless (DJCH) and childcare is selected as its focus.
The initiative is led by Thelma Vogel (Coordinator) and Doris Budner (Vice-Coordinator).
March 29, 1987
On March 29th, 1987, the child care project, chaired by Myrna H. Ries, began and provided child care services for up to 15 children to residents of the Downtown Dallas Shelter (now called Family Gateway). By the end of the year, the program grows to serve 28 children.
March 1988
Thelma Vogel receives the Public Citizen of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers.
August 31, 1988
Thelma and Philip Vogel are tragically killed in the Delta 1141 plane crash. More than 2,200 people attended services honoring their memory.
″All of us are poorer for the tragic deaths we memorialized this day,″ said Rabbi Gerald Klein. ″But, oh, how rich we are because they lived among us.″
1988–1995
November 1995 – Capital campaign for a new building begins and Vogel has a new home at 1100 S. Akard by the end of the year.
1997
Vogel receives NAEYC accreditation a distinction held by only 5% of early childhood education facilities nationwide.
1999–2003
2004–2006
2009-2010
2009 – Additional program services, including the visits by the HOMES dental van, staffed by Community Dental Care, and a partnership with Prevent Blindness began. Every child now receives dental and vision screening within the first months of enrollment at the Alcove.
2010 – The board adopts revised mission and vision statements, and new strategic plan.
2011–2014
2015
2016
2017–2019
2020–2021
2022–
Vogel & Family Gateway will expand their partnership with new family homelessness facility. Set to open in the early fall of 2022.
The success of our mission and the exponential growth of our programs and services over the last 35 years would not have been possible without the support of donors like you. We’ve made a list of some of the most dedicated leaders and supporters who helped Vogel become what it is now.
YOU can be a part of tomorrow with a gift today.
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