Judy Hargis, Dallas County Neighborhood Center Supervisor
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A new day is dawning in Dallas County. At a time when belts are tightening for everyone, creative thinking and generosity are helping local non-profits aid one another.
Proceeds from The Invitation, a monthly performance given at the Peace Dome, located at the School of Metaphysics World Headquarters in Windyville, will be shared with local not-for-profit organizations from May through October. The Invitation brings eight Nobel Peace Prize laureates to life, using only their own words from their acceptance speeches and phrases from the Universal Peace Covenant.
On Sunday, May 17th the Dallas County Neighborhood Center will be the first non-profit organization to benefit from this partnership. Judy Hargis the Neighborhood Center supervisor says, “I think this is just great. The School of Metaphysics does so many good things for the community. This is a wonderful way for people to find out what they do. We are honored to be the first group chosen.”
The Neighborhood Center has been a force for good in Dallas County for decades, fulfilling its mission to enrich the lives of families and individuals within our communities by providing opportunities, offering assistance and empowering people to make positive change. Staff members meet with and discuss clients’ particular situations and then make referrals to community programs that can help them.
The Neighborhood Center is best known for its Back To School Fair, a fundraiser each August that provides school children with backpacks filled with necessary school supplies. Supporting school kids is just the beginning of how they help people in Dallas County. Hargis says that proceeds from The Invitation cooperative fundraiser will go toward a matching fund for the Missourians Building Assets program. Individuals who are accepted into the program are required to save $2,000.00 on their own. When they do this they are eligible for two matching grants of $2,000.00 each for a total of $6,000.00 to be used specifically for higher education, home ownership or creating a small business. The Neighborhood Center is one of the organizations that gives out matching grants.
Spending time with Judy Hargis is like being with a champion for personal responsibility. Many of her success stories come from believing in people. She once received a grateful phone call from a woman who exchanged rent on an apartment for home improvements. It took Hargis three visits and the willingness to paint a wall with the woman to get her to complete her agreement with the landlord. She did it, and it changed her attitude and her life.
Hargis has been with the Neighborhood Center since 1982. When asked what motivates her to continue in this line of service she replied thoughtfully, “I always remember that it could be me in one of these unexpected and unpleasant situations. I try never to judge people in this line of work. Some people have difficulty meeting their needs and we are here to help them take their first steps toward independence. I have been doing this for so long that I can go into just about any business and see someone who we have helped. It is fulfilling to see someone grow and make progress.”
Direct services offered by the Dallas County Neighborhood Center are; Family Support, Targeted Coaching, Workshops, Missourians Building Assets and New To You Resale Shop. Other services available at the Neighborhood Center include Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Missouri Housing Trust Funds homeless prevention and the state of Missouri’s Energy Assistance Program.
Dr. Barbara Condron, the creator of The Invitation says, “When the economy slows, one of the first groups of people who feel the change tends to be not-for-profits. Many people see them as disposable when in reality most of them, particularly on a local level, are examples of care, concern and goodInwill towards our neighbors that leads to sustainable living. The School of Metaphysics, as not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) educational and service organization has been teaching personal responsibility as a member of a community for decades and we want to encourage and support those who are invested in the common good and welfare of the whole.”
The idea of partnering with local non-profits is new this year and it makes sense. Christine Madar is a teacher at the College of Metaphysics. She portrays Betty Williams a Northern Irish woman who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her efforts in organizing 100,000 people to march for peace. “We want each performance to touch many lives” says Madar, “We are looking forward to people coming to the Peace Dome for the first time because they want to help the Neighborhood Center.”
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