Founded in 2013, Carter's House is the brainchild of our founder, Shawana O. Carter. She wanted to start this organization to help families in the same situation she and her family had when moving to the area. Putting two children in school and requiring uniforms can be costly, especially when she and her family live in transitional housing. She found out about the McKinney-Vento act and Project PASS, which help families transition with school uniforms. This program was a blessing in disguise for her family, but it is only available to those in a housing crisis. Carter's House provides those that don't meet the housing stipulation for Project PASS. Our customers must verify that they are receiving assistance from the State in one of the following areas: SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Childcare, or Housing. And if not, we have processes in place for those families to possibly still be eligible for services. When we started, we thought this would be an occasional uniform given out. Yet, as the last seven years have progressed, we have seen a real need for our service in the community, and we are excited to help our community be a better place. Carter’s House has provided a one-of-kind shopping experience to over 5,500 children and teens with clothing, shoes, and more through our programs, major events, community events, and partner referrals. Through our services, the families have saved over $500,000.00.
Carter's House currently has two operating programs:
Carter's House Community Clothing Bank (CHCCB) and The Parent Plug.
Our Community Clothing Bank operates annually from July to May. In the Bank, customers shop for everyday wear, undergarments, socks, shoes, and school uniforms for their children. Parents who use our service save hundreds of dollars for their families. Parents shop with us up to three times per year. Over the last eleven years, our program has provided clothing to over ten thousand students; annually, we provide school uniforms to over 4,000 students.
The Village Support Group addresses a community-wide issue. Parents are getting younger, and some do not learn how to express their feelings, handle conflict, build healthy relationships, discipline their children, etc. Our programs allow us to assist the children and parents of our community by removing financial barriers of providing clothes to their children while providing support to their parents on their road to self-sufficency.
Mission Statement: To nurture the self-esteem and confidence of families experiencing poverty by providing clothing and community support that improves their lives.
Our mission is to empower families and children by providing essential clothing, fostering a supportive community for parents, and ensuring every child has access to the school uniforms they need to succeed.
A building with 2,500 - 5,000 square feet in South Dallas.
Volunteers to help us start and sustain sewing education classes for the community to learn basic sewing skills and how to sew school uniforms.
At Carter’s House, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable community in Dallas, TX. We believe that every individual and family deserves respect, dignity, and access to essential resources, regardless of their background or identity.
Our commitment to equity means that we strive to:
Provide services without discrimination: We welcome and serve all families seeking support, offering clothing, school uniforms, and participation in our parent support and engagement groups without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic.
Create an inclusive environment: We actively work to cultivate a welcoming, safe, and affirming space where diverse perspectives are valued, and all individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Address systemic barriers: We recognize that inequities exist and are committed to identifying and addressing any barriers within our practices that might hinder equitable access to our programs and services.
Promote fairness and justice: Our operations, policies, and partnerships are guided by principles of fairness and social justice, ensuring that our efforts contribute positively to a more equitable Dallas community.
By upholding these principles, Carter’s House aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in school, every parent finds the support they need, and every family feels a sense of belonging and dignity. We are dedicated to building a community where equity is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality for all.
Organization name
Carters House
Causes
Social Services
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Address
2922 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Bldg A Ste 131