North Texas nonprofit The Storehouse of Collin County, recently named Nancy Mendez director of Project Hope, a program that specializes in neighbor care.
Seventeen years ago, Mendez relocated from Mexico to the Dallas area, with a degree in child development. She joined The Storehouse team in May 2021, stepping into the role of Project Hope coordinator. Her primary tasks involved evaluating the needs of the community, building connections with residents, and shaping future program objectives. She promptly initiated her certification as a community health worker and transitioned into the position of case manager for Project Hope in 2023.
“I fell in love with the mission of the Storehouse,” Mendez said in an official statement. “Being a part of the transformation and change for the neighbors — what we call those we serve — and seeing their improvement reinforced within my heart that this is all for a purpose and exactly where I want to use my gifts and talents.”
Project Hope offers empowerment-focused case management, extending beyond basic necessities to connect neighbors with essential resources like affordable medical care and household furnishings through community partnerships. A Community Resource Guide directs individuals to additional support, such as obtaining beds through the Dallas Furniture Bank. Project Hope also collaborates with Methodist Dallas Medical Center for mobile mammography services. Looking ahead, it aims to expand resources for both physical and professional needs, while in 2024, it partners with The Storehouse’s Academy education program to provide extra support for enrolled neighbors.
“I am very grateful The Storehouse has placed me in this position where I can empower our neighbors to self-advocate while teaching them how to access our resources as well as community resources,” Mendez said. “It’s exciting to see how Project Hope has evolved, from helping only women to whole families. It is an honor to be a part of their journeys.”
