Bingo hall donations aid homeless youth

Irving—Local organizations are working together to ensure Irving’s most vulnerable youth have access to housing, education and basic necessities, thanks in part to donations from area bingo halls.

At the start of the year, Melodye Green, director of Betcha Bingo, donated $6,500 to Main Place and $1,000 to Level Pathways on behalf of the Improved Order of Red Men of Texas – 11 Flaming Arrow Council. Green has a long history of supporting local nonprofits, providing funding, clothing and scholarships to help disadvantaged youth find stability.

“We need to give them a pathway,” Green said. “They don't have any choices. You got this whole generation of young boys coming out of school without even a high school education. What are they going to do?” 

Founded in 2017, Level Pathways serves high school students experiencing homelessness by providing housing, food, clothing, tutoring and other support services. The organization recently marked the first anniversary of its boys’ transition house.

Executive Director Lacey Denton said community donations are essential to the organization’s mission and allow Level Pathways to remain focused on serving Irving youth.

“Donations and community support are truly the reason we are able to serve the youth we serve,” Denton said. “As a hyper-local organization, every contribution stays in Irving and directly fuels our programs, resources, and daily operations.”

Denton said Irving’s strong network of nonprofit organizations sets the city apart.

“We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful community partners in Irving,” she said. “Not every community is fortunate enough to have the kind of collaborative support system we have here.”  

Since 2006, Main Place has provided underserved youth in Irving with free clothing, consultations and confidence-building resources. The organization also connects clients with other nonprofits to ensure they receive comprehensive support.

Sharon Johnston, co-founder of Main Place and Level Pathways, said Green and Betcha Bingo have consistently supported local families for years.

“I call her my benefactress,” Johnston said. “She has given me; I can't tell you how much support.” 

Johnston recalled receiving large donations of clothing, diapers and household items during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Main Place to serve hundreds of families during a single distribution.

“[For one event,] we served 700 to 1,000 clients,” she said.

Johnston estimated that in 2020 alone, donations from the bingo hall totaled more than $10,000, significantly impacting families in need. Green has also donated high-end handbags to support fundraising efforts for other nonprofits, including Family Promise.

Beyond organizational support, Green has helped individual students directly. Johnston shared the story of an 18-year-old woman who had been living in a Dallas shelter before connecting with Level Pathways.

Green funded a $700 scholarship for the student and provided additional items to help her transition to college life. The donations ultimately helped furnish the student’s dorm room and purchase everyday necessities.

Children and young adults experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to long-term stability. According to The American Youth Policy Forum, homeless teens are 87 percent less likely to graduate than their peers. As many as one-in-five homeless youth could be the victims of human trafficking in some form, according to the Modern Slavery Research Project.