Dallas Hope Charities (DHC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addressing human rights and human service needs in North Texas. Our core mission is to provide food, shelter, and services that instill dignity, stability, and Hope For All. The organization officially incorporated in 2016 and reached a major milestone of independence as a standalone non-profit in 2020.
We primarily serve LGBTQIA+ young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This focus is crucial because while only 8% of U.S. youth identify as LGBTQ, they make up approximately 40% of the homeless youth population. Furthermore, two-thirds of homeless LGBTQ+ youth are rejected by their families, making safe and affirming spaces vital.
If you are in need of help, see our get help page.
To bridge the gap between emergency crisis and permanent stability, DHC offers a comprehensive three-step housing model known as the Full Continuum of Care:
Hope Street: The primary entry point connecting young adults in crisis with immediate outreach, safe motel stays, and stabilizing financial resources.
Hope Center: Dallas County’s only LGBTQIA-focused transitional living home. Residents can stay for up to 12 months, receiving safe housing, case management, life skills training, and free mental health therapy. Learn more about the Hope Center.
Finally Home: A rental assistance program providing a critical layer of financial support for Hope Center graduates so they can permanently break the cycle of homelessness and maintain independent apartments.
Originally launched in 2021 as a suicide prevention initiative, the Collective Hope Coalition has evolved into a collaborative resource hub. The CHC unites over 30 individual members and affirming service organizations to tackle the root causes of despair by ensuring LGBTQIA+ youth have access to basic needs like food, housing, medical care, and mental health resources.
Learn more about the Collective Hope Coalition.
In partnership with the Dallas Police Department, the Safe Place program turns local businesses into a network of sanctuary.
We educate business staff on how to assist victims of hate crimes.
Participating locations display visible Safe Place signage indicating that their doors are open and affirming.
As of 2025, 217 Dallas-area businesses have registered as Safe Places to help ensure community safety.
Hopeful Discussions are educational workshop series offered to businesses and organizations.
These workshops are designed to reduce homophobia by increasing the understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and issues.
Available topics include LGBTQIA Allyship, Gender Pronouns, Gender Affirming Care, and creating inclusive workspaces.
We host several impactful events throughout the year to foster community engagement, raise awareness, and generate vital funds. Some of our signature events include:
Chip In Fore Hope: Our annual Topgolf fundraiser that brings the community together for philanthropy and fun.
Pride Panel: A collaborative discussion series in partnership with Dallas Contemporary featuring local leaders and activists.
Speed Networking Mixer: A fast-paced event designed to foster meaningful connections among LGBTQIA+ professionals and community partners.
LGBTQIA+ Suicide Prevention Vigil: Held every September, this event honors lives lost to suicide while connecting individuals with vital mental health resources.
Yes! Joining our monthly giving program as a sustaining donor helps provide reliable, year-round support for LGBTQIA+ youth in need. You can set up an automated monthly tax-deductible gift directly on our Donate Page.
Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple your financial impact. Check with your HR or Corporate Social Responsibility department to see if your company offers gift matching for 501(c)(3) non-profits like Dallas Hope Charities.
We partner with corporate and local community sponsors through annual event sponsorships, grant opportunities, workplace giving, and in-kind corporate donations. To discuss custom sponsorship tiers and partnership opportunities, please visit our Contact Page or email hope@dallashopecharities.org directly.
Financial gifts directly empower our youth to rebuild their lives. Here is how different giving levels translate to tangible support:
$250: Funds an emergency hotel voucher to get a young adult out of a crisis immediately.
$500: Pays for critical life skills and career coaching.
$2,500: Funds weekly sessions with a licensed mental health therapist for a young adult to heal and thrive.
$5,000: Covers a full month of rent assistance for Finally Home graduates taking their next step toward independence.
We lovingly refer to our dedicated volunteers as “Hope Dealers”. You can contribute your time and talents through several avenues:
Community Events: Assist with setup, operations, and check-ins at our various events.
Skill-Based Opportunities: Offer professional expertise in areas like graphic design, photography, social media, or administrative tasks.
Group Volunteering: Participate in meaningful projects alongside coworkers, friends, or family.
Remote Opportunities: Contribute from home by helping with data entry, virtual events, or online campaigns.
In-kind donations help us meet the everyday needs of the young adults we serve. We gratefully accept:
Everyday Essentials: Hygiene products for our “Worthy Bags” (toothpaste, soap, deodorant), laundry detergent pods, and prepaid smartphones.
Clothing: New or gently used professional attire for job interviews, as well as seasonal outerwear.
Shelter & Comfort: New blankets, bedding, towels, and washcloths.
Transportation: Public transit passes (DART, Uber, Lyft) and bicycles.
Gift Cards: Grocery store cards (Target, Walmart) and gas cards.
© 2026 | Dallas Hope Charities
With over seven years of experience as a civil engineer, Hector Pietro designs roadways, pedestrian and bike facilities, and stormwater systems that support safety, economic development, and sustainability in the community. In 2024, he was selected to join the Communities Foundation of Texas’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Cohort, which inspired him to pursue a deeper impact in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Hector felt compelled to join an organization dedicated to providing food, shelter, and affirming services to LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness. The mission of Dallas Hope Charities—instilling dignity, stability, and hope—immediately resonated, and he knew he had to be part of it.
Impact and Passion
Hector is excited to serve on the Dallas Hope Charities Board of Directors alongside a group of passionate leaders with deep experience expanding the organization’s reach to LGBTQIA+ youth. He thrives in spaces filled with accomplished, driven individuals and was drawn to the board after reviewing data on DHC’s community impact. He firmly believes that loving those in need while they are learning to love themselves is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen a community.
Fun and Personal Touch
Hector taught himself to decorate sugar cookies using royal icing by watching TikTok videos—and has since become quite skilled, considering each one a miniature, edible work of art.
Favorite Quote: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
He hopes to see the Hope Center’s capacity expand and believes that can happen by increasing community awareness about the urgent need for DHC’s services—ultimately inspiring more donors and volunteers to take action. Grateful for the opportunity to serve, Hector is motivated to help drive that growth.
