Mission

Now-Forward is the trusted and compassionate resource helping individuals through unexpected life challenges. Now-Forward helps low-income persons assume responsibility for their lives to the degree they are able by providing temporary emergency assistance, medical and dental care and programs designed to help them achieve stability for the long-term. Established in 1983 by five North Dallas congregations, NDSM now numbers 44 Covenant Congregations of many faiths. The founding congregations believed that by combining resources – food, financial and volunteers – and operating in a secular manner the basic needs of low-income persons could be better addressed. In 2024, NDSM helped 135,000 individuals with services valued at $6.4M, not including the $4M in refunds for federal income tax returns filed at Now-Forward. Over 95 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to programs and services. NDSM provides the following services at no cost to its clients and patients: • Basic and supplemental food assistance programs • Rent and utility assistance • Preventive, primary, and ongoing medical care for adults and children • Dental care - adults and children • Mental health counseling • Adult ESL classes • School supplies and uniforms • Clothes closet • Federal Income Tax preparation assistance • Vision check-ups and glasses NDSM serves 24 zip codes in Dallas, De Soto, Duncanville, and Plano, including 75001, 75023, 75115, 75116, 75204, 75205, 75209, 75219, 75220, 75225, 75229, 75230, 75231, 75234, 75235, 75240, 75243, 75244, 75247, 75248, 75251, 75252, 75254, and 75287. NDSM also helps the homeless. Financial assistance for rent and utilities and medical and dental care for uninsured patients is limited to persons residing in these zip codes. However, food, school supplies and uniforms, clothing, ESL classes and tax assistance are available to all Dalas County residents. NDSM’s staff consists of 175 active volunteers; one paid employees, an executive administrative assistant; a mental health clinician for whose services NDSM pays the Cannenta Center; six UTSW employees; and two faculty dentists, four dental assistants and six rotating students from Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. Lions Club International members and Foundation Communities staff also serve at NDSM.