History
n 2007, Beth Jones saw an especially high need to minister to at-risk moms and children in our community. There was no lack of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in her Dallas neighborhood. She approached her church and asked for support in starting a ministry called Bambinos. That dream became a reality in 2008!
Bambinos started by delivering donated items to families. This gave Beth a chance to be in the homes of clients and start building relationships with the moms (and kids!). The needs of the ministry grew too large to continue delivering. In 2010, Bambinos began setting up a table at James 2 Community Kitchen once per week. Families would meet with Bambinos volunteers at James 2 to place and pick up orders.
Beth noticed that relationships with clients weren’t as strong with the new system, but delivering to the (now 150) families Bambinos served was unrealistic. She began praying for a location to serve from. Many people had approached Beth about volunteering for the ministry but the opportunities were few.
In January of 2013, Bambinos found a home, moving to an office on Ellendale Ave. Having this permanent home gave volunteers a place to serve, and clients a place to build healthy relationships with other moms and wives in Dallas.
At the end of 2017, Beth asked Heather Seals to join the Bambinos team as the new Director because of their mutual compassion for young women facing motherhood and all the struggles that surround it.
In addition to this big organizational change, Bambinos was able to expand its services by adding a safety program, including a free monthly car seat clinic, as well as a community classroom. The office grew and took over an additional suite, but it soon became clear that even more room was needed to meet the vision for Bambinos’ future.
In July 2018, Bambinos moved to its current location in Main Street Plaza, where the office is more centrally located and nearer to other community resources.
At the beginning of 2019, Heather asked Glenda Dunaway to accept the role of Executive Director. She officially stepped into her position in October 2019. Heather brought clear vision to Bambinos and over the past two+ years, Glenda, along with the Board of Directors has worked diligently to steer the ministry accordingly into this new chapter. In spite of constant regulation changes due to COVID-19, and formula shortages currently still being experienced, Bambinos has been able to remain open and financially stable. As clientele has steadily increased, so has its community support.