Vogel alcove

The Vogel Alcove is a childcare center that serves homeless families in the greater Dallas area. Each year the Vogel Alcove serves AbOUT 450 infants, toddlers and pre-school-aged children.

History

The Dallas Jewish Coalition for the Homeless operates the Alcove. Incorporated in 1986 as a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the coalition coordinates the efforts of 21 synagogues and Jewish organizations in the Dallas area in order to "alleviate The Plight of the homeless in Dallas."

The Alcove began operations in March 1987, initially serving 11 children from homeless families at Dallas's Downtown Family Shelter. In its first year, more than 1,000 children were served. As time passed, the Alcove relocated to increasingly large facilities. Since 1995, it has had space for 113 children in an 11,000 square foot building.

Services

All services are provided free, without regard to ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin. Participating families are referred from one of twenty affiliated homeless programs such as domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing programs.

The Alcove's programs are designed to be as comprehensive as possible because of homeless children's unique needs. The three main program areas are:

• Child Development/Early Childhood Education,
• Social Services, and
• Health Services

Executive Director

The Alcove’s current Executive Director, Barbara Landix, joined the Alcove after having fruitful tenures at the Community Council of Greater Dallas and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Her work with both agencies included community needs assessment, strategic long range planning, program development, and outcome measurement. She also collaborated with 100 United Way Affiliates in three countries.

In addition, Barbara has experience with Gerontology. She directed Dallas’ first case management network serving frail and vulnerable elderly citizens called the “Access Center for the Elderly.” Barbara has a deep and longstanding commitment to the non-profit sector. She is passionate about her contributions to alleviating the plight of homeless children in Dallas. Barbara has been an outspoken advocate and spokesperson for the Alcove.

Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from Southern University in New Orleans and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University.