DUNCANVILLE, Texas — The joy Karla Gonzalez sees on her kids’ faces when they go to Youth World, is priceless.
“Since day one, my kids, they just love coming here,” said Gonzalez, a Red Oak resident.
Youth World is a Southern Dallas nonprofit providing economic relief and meals to families like the Gonzalez family.
“They can learn more about Jesus. They also get help with homework. They get a free meal,” said Gonzalez.
She said these resources were needed for her family.
“After the pandemic, not all of us are doing good,” said Gonzalez. “We have had some struggles. Yeah.”
The details are too hard for Gonzalez to describe, but Youth World Founder and Executive Director, Darla Shirley, said it's a shared experience with others in this community.
“One in four kids are food deficient which is just a nice way of saying, ‘Hey, they might not get dinner tonight,’” said Shirley.
Friday’s day of packing meals for families was special because Youth World partnered with Mercy Chefs, a disaster relief organization, to open a community kitchen.
“We put in this gorgeous kitchen that we can do just thousands and thousands of hot meals out of,” said Chef Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs Founder and CEO. “It’s part of our dedication of serving the highest quality and most nutritious meals we’re able to serve in any given situation.”
In 2014 and last July, Youth World provided more than 2,000 meals a week to families. With the facility and it's new kitchen, they say they’re able to do even more.
“When a mom says I have to decide between milk and diapers, oh no. That should never be. In our community, that should never be,” said Shirley.
Gonzalez who now volunteers with the program said it has changed her life.
“My kids changed a lot. They love coming to the kids club. At school, they’ll say he does much better because he knows he’s going to come here, so he has to do good in school,” said Gonzalez. “I’m just very thankful for Youth World…very thankful.”
Youth World is a free program for kids. For more information, click here.