CRISIS/SUPPORT GROUPS

Alcoholics Anonymous. 956-7333. A fellowship of alcoholic men and women who share their experiences with those who want to stop drinking. Members are available to counsel anyone who calls. AA is non-denominational and dedicated to the treatment of alcoholism.

American Red Cross. 871-2175. Provides disaster aid along with services to military personnel, their families, and veterans; offers courses in CPR, first-aid, preparation for parenthood, babysitting skills, boating safety, swimming, and youth volunteer programs teaching leadership skills to youths ages 10 to 18.

Big Brothers and Sisters of Metropolitan Dallas. 871-0876. A non-profit organization that matches adults with children from single-parent families to form a one-to-one relationship. Age requirements; boys 7-14, girls 6-15; adult volunteers must be at least 21.

Child Abuse Hotline. 637 4020. For reporting child abuse and neglect to the Texas Department of Human Services.

Crime Prevention. 670-4427. The Dallas Police Deparlment will show homeowners or businesses how to make their buildings burglar-proof for free. It also offers programs on rape and assault prevention, neighborhood crime watch, and employee-crime prevention.

Dallas County Rape Crisis and Child Sexual Abuse Center. 521-1020. Provides therapy for rape victims and children who have been sexually abused. Will videotape sexual assault validation for children 12 or under so they won’t have to testify in court. Victims of Incest is a therapy group for teenage sexual assault victims. Hotline staffed 24 hours. Services provided free to Dallas County residents.

Family Outreach Program. 231 6584. Funded through the Texas Deparlment of Human Services, the program is a volunteer organization for the prevention of child abuse. Volunteers work with individual clients and a speakers’ bureau provides programs on teaching children the tools to prevent sexual abuse.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). 243-6633. A victim support group for those who have been injured or lost loved ones to drunk drivers; also an education and lobbying group. Although not associated with MADD, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) has been organized at various local high schools.

Parents Without Partners. 3500315. Single parents with children (custody not required) meet several times each month for socializing and support. Parental status must be verified.

Suicide and Crisis Center. 828-1000. Phones are staffed 24 hours with counselors trained in suicide prevention. Support groups and/or references are available for family and friends of suicide victims. Speakers’ bureaus offer presentations and community workshops to the public on suicide prevention.