Mansfield Cares was Founded
Mansfield Cares was formed on August 2, 1999 by a group of concerned citizens who felt that more could be done to help those less fortunate in our community. We are a501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a Board of Directors and a group of Ambassadors who all serve in a volunteer capacity. The main fund-raising activity for Mansfield Cares is the annual charity ball that is held each February (formerly November) at Walnut Creek Country Club. We consider ourselves similar to a local United Way. Our purpose is to fill any needs that are not already being met by the many other charitable organizations in our community.
Begun Community Outreach
We sent out a community needs assessment survey to the many churches, schools, city, and other local groups asking for feedback as to the most important needs in our community that were going unmet. Once tallied, we went to work planning our strategy as to how to best meet the needs on our list. We have met all the needs that were on that original survey through many hours of hard work and with the help of many who donate to our cause.
Opened Mansfield Cares Medical Clinic
In September we opened the Mansfield Cares Medical Assistance Clinic located at 1670 E. Broad Street. This clinic provided non-emergency, acute medical care to anyone in need from ages 5 to adult on a first come first served basis. Today, this clinic has relocated and is now known as the Nix Family Caring Place.
Published the 1st Mansfield Area Guide to Community Services Directory
With the help of the City of Mansfield, we published the Mansfield Area Guide to Community Services Directory. This directory provides a listing of information and resources available in our community. Its purpose is intended to help maximize all the area organizations’ outreach ministry capabilities, by helping to synergism the community’s outreach goals and financial assistance.
Established a School Supply Area
We worked closely with the MISD school counselors and Council of PTA’s to establish a school supply area in the already existing PTA Clothes Closet located at Erma Nash Elementary. Common Ground Network and Mansfield Cares provide funding via a school supply fund to The Council of PTA’s.
Opened The Nix Family Caring Place
In 2009, our dream of building a facility to provide free and low cost health and dental care for those who qualify was realized with the opening of The Nix Family Caring Place. This was the most difficult undertaking of our organization. JPS Hospital, who had been providing services in temporary quarters, moved into the building on November 30th, 2009. The other half is operated by several local doctors who donate their time to help local citizens who have a financial need with their medical, dental, and optic care.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Friday, December 04, 2009.
Assisted in Funding Local Food Pantries and Summer Programs
In 2010, we began working even more closely with the Wesley Mission Center and Common Ground Network to help provide more funding for our many local food pantries. We have now expanded our food service initiative into the Feed the Kids for Summer Program.
Completed the Mansfield Caring Center
With the help of the Mansfield Women’s Club, we completed the Mansfield Caring Center – a 15,000 square foot warehouse which now houses our local food bank operated by Harvesting International Ministries.
Started a Community Garden for the Food
With the help of the Mansfield Rotary Club, we started a Community Garden next to the Mansfield Caring Center to provide fresh produce for the food bank.
Expanded Partnership Options
We began a new initiative to expand our fundraising efforts for our many partner programs and offer online year round charitable contributions through our Caring Choices Program.
Gifted the Nix Center to the Mansfield Mission Center
Mansfield Cares gifted the Linda Nix Caring Place Clinic to the Mansfield Mission Center to enable them to better serve their mission to help Mansfield residents thrive in physical, financial, and relational ways.
Record Breaking Donation to Feed the Kids Summer Program
In July 2022, we donated $20,000 to Feed the Kids allowing them to provide meals for over 15k children and families who are unable to receive nourishing meals during the summer months. This was the largest single donation to date that Feed the Kids had ever received.