Point For Charity - 16 Years of Sharing
ABOUT US
We are a non-profit, tax exempt association under Section 501(c)(3)
of the United States Internal Revenue Code, based in North Texas.
The Association is rooted in the 1999 efforts of a few folks who recognized the needs of the residents living at a local facility, the Denton State School (now known as the Denton State Supported Living Center).
The individuals residing there have severe and profound mental retardation. We assist the residents by raising money used to purchase items such as shoes, clothing, personal hygiene items and other everyday items. Funds donated to the school are also used for special wheelchairs, communication devices, and construction and maintenance of their work, hobby and recreation areas.
In 1999, the “originals” put their money together and were able to donate about $1,500 to the School. Since then, participation and individual donations grew so steadily that the next logical step was to form this Association, so that charitable efforts would be combined, focused and strengthened.
To date, the Association has raised over $315,000.00 for the School. We are working to make 2014 another great year. We have no employees. Directors, committee members, and other volunteers receive no compensation for any services rendered to the Association. Our expenses are kept to a minimum, because every dollar we raise goes directly to benefit of the residents of the Denton State School.
In 2007, the Association was honored to receive the Shotton Award from the School, for our efforts to help the residents of the School, and our continued commitment to do more.
About the Denton State Supported Living Center (formerly the Denton State School) It is the largest of the 12 state living centers in Texas and home to more than 580 individuals with severe and profound mental retardation. Located on 200 wooded acres south of Denton, it serves 18 counties in the North Texas area.
It is under the auspices of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. It was built in the late 50's, with the help of the citizens of Denton, who recognized the advantages of having the center built here.
The Denton Chamber of Commerce coordinated efforts to raise the money with the help of the community and purchased the land. The land was donated to the State of Texas with the stipulation that the center be built there. Denton SSLC's doors opened in July, 1960, and within 1 year had approximately 1,700 residents. The majority of the residents were children and young adults with mild to moderate mental retardation. The school was designed to be a community within itself. It had its own infirmary, beauty shop, education buildings, therapy departments, and four dormitories. The dormitories have since been converted to 40 apartments.
Today, the Denton SSLC is a bustling place full of activity. Many of the residents that are able to live in a less restrictive environment have moved into group homes in the community. Many of the residents now have complicated medical needs and Denton SSLC provides a safe and well-equipped environment to care for them. The residents work, attend vocational training, go shopping, dining, to church and to recreational activities in Denton and all over the Metroplex. More than 1/2 of the school's residents are in wheelchairs.
The school employs over 1,600 employees and is one of the top 5 employers in Denton. Staff include: administrative, medical and dental, therapists, accounting, maintenance, mechanics, housekeeping, vocational, psychologists, security, and the programming staff who develop and carry out individualized training programs for each resident. The school is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is an active parent's association and a separate 501 (c) organization, the Volunteer Services Council for Denton State Supported Living Center, which raises money and accepts donations on behalf of the school.
