North Dallas Shared Ministries was founded in 1983 by five congregations to provide emergency assistance to needy individuals and families residing in the North Dallas area. NDSM is a cooperative effort of 46 congregations that combines resources to provide effective, appropriate, and efficient assistance to a large segment of Dallas’ poorest population.

Initially, emergency aid included food, payment of rent and utility bills, gas vouchers, bus tokens, prescription vouchers, and financial help to obtain ID’s. Within a few short years, an employment assistance program, English-as-a-second language classes, and an extensive eye exam/eyeglass program were added to provide tools to help clients help themselves. A few years ago the addition of a school supply and uniform program completed the basic scope of services of the Emergency Aid Center.

In April 2000, NDSM opened a two-evening-a-week Free Medical Clinic and the NDSM Clothes Closet and Thrift Store. In 2001, the Clinic added a two-evening-a-month women’s breast and pelvic exam screening clinic that now includes diabetes screening and a diabetes education workshop. In 2003, the Clinic added emergent dental services for low income adults and in 2005 a Tuesday Morning Children’s Clinic.

In October 2006, NDSM opened an Adults-Only Monday Evening Clinic, managed and staffed by UT Southwestern medical students under the auspices of attending physicians. In July 2004, due to increasing need of space and parking, NDSM purchased a facility to house its operations. On May 31, 2005, upon completion of necessary renovations, NDSM moved debt-free into the 20,322 square foot building at 2875 Merrell Road.

Throughout the years, NDSM has remained focused upon

• Providing appropriate emergency assistance to those within its service area

• Responding to requests for client and patient assistance from Dallas-area public and private agencies

• Developing and sustaining ancillary programs that directly or indirectly promote financial independence

• Developing resource materials for volunteers and other agencies, and

• Ccontinuing to operate, with the exception of one administrative assistant, as a totally volunteer-staffed organization

In 2007, the Emergency Aid Center processed 9,816 requests for assistance from households comprising 33,515 individuals. An additional 10,086 seniors received help through the supplemental food program, Friday Food Basket, and 3,907 patients were treated in the Medical Clinic. In total 47,508 persons received help from North Dallas Shared Ministries in 2007.