ETBU Cares
ETBU Cares exists to help ETBU students, faculty, and staff partner with their neighbors in the community through after-school programs, park ministries, and other outreach opportunities. We want our community to know that ETBU Cares! A variety of projects are available during each semester.
Service Opportunities
Use this list to help you determine other places where you might serve in our community. To learn more, stop by the Great Commission Center in the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center or contact us at gcc@etbu.edu or 903-923-2175.
Backpack Program: The Triple M Backpack Program provides backpacks of food to area schools. Children who might otherwise go hungry take the backpacks home to have nutritious meals over the weekend. Student volunteers with a truck are needed to pick up backpacks of food and deliver them to two local elementary schools every Thursday afternoon around 1:30. To learn more, contact Dr. Melody Maxwell at 903-923-2175 or mmaxwell@etbu.edu; or contact Ned Calvert at 903-923-2120 or ncalvert@etbu.edu.
Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines: Volunteers are needed to work with teens in grades 7 through 12 Monday through Fridays afternoon any time between 3 and 7 PM. Volunteers might help with homework, referee games, teach computer skills, or help with craft projects. The Boys and Girls Club is located on US 59 between Pizza Hut and Marshall High School. Contacts are Brian Partee and Shelly Graff. Call 903-935-2030 or email information@bgcbp.com to learn more.
Buckner Children and Family Services: Buckner offers a wide variety of services to children, families, and elders. Their ministries include foster care, a community transformation center, job readiness training, parenting education, and a crisis relief center. Volunteers are needed to serve in many of these areas. To learn more, contact Jane Ann Crowson, Director of the Community Transformation Center. You can reach Jane Ann at 903-757-9383or jcrowson@buckner.org. Buckner’s offices are in Longview at 110 E. Cotton Street (take US 80 all the way into downtown; take a left on High St.; drive several blocks and turn left on E. Cotton). To learn about more volunteer opportunities with Buckner, please visit www.buckner.org and go to “Engage.”
Clothes Closet: The clothes closet is located adjacent to the Soda Lake Baptist Association building on US 80 at 2109 Victory Drive (across from Whataburger and Bodacious). ETBU student Chuck Davenport coordinates a student shift at the clothes closet every Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM. The clothes closet also operates during the day on Mondays and Thursdays. To volunteer, contact Chuck Davenport at 817-705-9311 or Harold Long at 903-930-7943.
Community Renewal International: This organization works to rebuild communities in inner-city Shreveport. Volunteers are needed for a variety of opportunities, including special events, working with children and teenagers, and skills training. To learn more, visit www.communityrenewal.us or contact Lynn Bryan at lynnbryan@sbcr.us. Community Renewal International is located at 838 Margaret Place in Shreveport.
East Texas Open Door: East Texas Open Door includes an emergency youth shelter for children ages 7 to 17 and a residential treatment center for girls ages 8 to 18. This is a good place of service for students who want to work with Child Protective Services or some form of ministry to young women. Several hours of training and orientation are required, so this opportunity is best for students who are able to commit higher hours of community service. Several of our students have gone from internships to employment with them. East Texas Open Door is located on US 80 near ETBU’s campus. As you leave ETBU and reach the corner of Grove and 80, look to the left across the street. The phone number is 903-935-2099; please ask to speak with Exa. You can also visit www.hpet.org.
Faith Medical Clinic: This clinic is located at the northwest corner of Washington and Pinecrest (2109 S. Washington) in the Mission Marshall building. This free clinic targets those persons whose income is not enough to purchase medical insurance, but too much to receive government help. The clinic takes place the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Volunteers are needed to pray with patients and assist doctors and dentists at the clinic. To volunteer, call the clinic at 903-407-1008 or 903-935-9391.
Food Pantry: The United Churches of Marshall Food Pantry is located at the northwest corner of Washington and Pinecrest (2109 S. Washington) in the Mission Marshall building. The food pantry is open Monday from 5 to 7 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM; and on the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM to noon. To volunteer to assist clients as they shop, please contact the volunteer coordinator, Anne Morton, at 903-938-3617. The food pantry also receives food deliveries on Monday and Friday at various times. To volunteer with food deliveries, please contact the food manager, Alisa Roberts, at 903-421-2241 or aroberts90@gmail.com. Interested volunteers should also attend an orientation session on January 14 or January 28 at 5:30 PM at Mission Marshall.
Good Shepherd Medical Center of Marshall: This opportunity is ideal for students with some interest in serving in the medical community. Students can serve in clerical work, medical assistance, and other areas. A background check, tuberculosis test, and an orientation time are required, making this opportunity best for students willing to commit a high number of service learning hours. Good Shepherd Medical Center is located at 811 S. Washington in Marshall. For more information, contact Karen Self at 903-927-6741 or karen.self@gsmc.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Longview: Longview Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry financed through private donations and utilizing volunteer labor. They help families in need of decent housing, who could not otherwise afford a home, to build and buy a home of their own. Longview Habitat has a very active list of building projects and volunteer opportunities available at www.longviewhabitat.org or www.facebook.com/longviewhabitat. Their office is located ataduke@longviewhabitat.org or 903-236-0900, ext. 205.
Habitat for Humanity of the Marshall Area: This organization provides affordable housing for the disadvantaged through constructing homes in the Marshall area. When they are in a building phase, volunteers are needed on Saturday mornings from about 8 to 12. A building project is currently underway at 2810 Hynson Springs Road, near the intersection of Highway 80 and the 390 loop on the west side of Marshall. To volunteer, talk with ETBU students Brian Jones (903-241-8071; brian_jones@etbu.edu) or Corey Gummelt (corey_gummelt@etbu.edu). You can also contact Al Davis (903-935-5969; atd@wildblue.net), husband of our professor Dr. Jane Ogden.
Heart'sWay Hospice of Northeast Texas: Hospice is a ministry that assists those at the end of life to have dignity and respect in their final days. It can be a very rewarding ministry. Students are needed to help with office work, visit patients, and carry out a variety of tasks. The location of the Marshall office is 205 E. Austin St. Take Hwy 80 towards 59; turn right on Lafayette to E. Austin; and turn right on E. Austin. Heart’sWay Hospice is on the right. For more information, contact Kim Jenkins at KimberlyJ@heartswayhospice.org or 903-295-1680.
Hiway 80 Rescue Mission:This Christian organization provides shelter, meals and assistance for the homeless and those in need in the Longview area. Their services include a Men’s Shelter, a Women’s and Children’s Shelter, tutoring, a computer learning center, clothing rooms, and more. Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks throughout the year. The mission is located at 3117 W. Marshall St. (Highway 80) in Longview, just inside the loop. Their website is www.hiway80mission.org. To volunteer, call Gary Crim or Kate Langston at 903-759-8101.
Kids Club: This after-school program is hosted in several local apartment complexes on different afternoons throughout the week. Kids clubs provide children with an opportunity to hear about the love of Christ, learn a Bible story, and experience a loving presence during games, activities, and stories. Weekly commitment is crucial to building relationships with the children. To learn more, contact any of the three student leaders: Chris Hudgens at 214-682-0365 or chris_hudgens@etbu.edu, or Chloe Jedlick or Facebook.
Lee Elementary School Tutoring Program: ETBU students, faculty, and staff are needed to work with kindergarten through fourth grade students at Lee Elementary School. Volunteers may read with students, assist in a classroom, or serve in other ways. Volunteers can participate any time from 8 AM to 
3 PM on weekdays. To learn more, contact Dr. Melody Maxwell at 903-923-2175 or mmaxwell@etbu.edu.
3 PM on weekdays. To learn more, contact Dr. Melody Maxwell at 903-923-2175 or mmaxwell@etbu.edu.Lee Elementary School After-School Program: Volunteers are needed to help with the ACE after-school program at Lee Elementary School. ACE needs general volunteers as well as students skilled in tutoring or enrichment activities such as arts, crafts, dancing, or athletics. You can work as few or as many hours as you can between 4 to 6 PM Monday through Friday. Volunteers are especially needed on Wednesdays (beginning at 3 PM) and on Fridays. To learn more, contact Dr. Melody Maxwell at 903-923-2175 or mmaxwell@etbu.edu.
Marshall Home Care and Hospice: This organization encompasses four different nursing and assisted care facilities in the Marshall area. Volunteers are needed to read to clients, watch movies with them, call Bingo, paint nails, share Bible passages, lead worship services, shadow employees, and serve as hospice chaplains. To learn more, contact Aveena Patel at 903-923-8154. Their office is located at 111 E. Burleson St. You can also visit their website at www.mhchtexas.com.
Marshall Pregnancy Resource Center: This counseling ministry (also known as Living Alternatives) provides alternatives to abortion for those dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Office hours are typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 to 5 PM. Students can serve as receptionists, work on the ministry’s website, and perform other duties. Some training is involved before volunteers can engage clients. Please contact Michelle Spencer at 903-938-8378 for more information. You may need to leave a message if she is with a client, but she will return your call. You can also talk with Dr. Cassie Falke in the ETBU English department (cfalke@etbu.edu or 903-923-2284).
Martha’s Kitchen: This ministry serves a free, hot meal every Thursday night from 6 to 7 PM. Student volunteers are needed to visit and pray with guests (especially teenage boys). In cold weather, volunteers are needed before 6 PM to spend time with children who have arrived early. Martha’s Kitchen is located in the parish hall of Trinity Episcopal Church at 106 North Grove Street. For more information, contact Bonnie Strauss at 903-926-5939 or leomich@sbcglobal.net, or talk with Dr. Cassie Falke in the ETBU English department (cfalke@etbu.edu or 903-923-2284).
Meals on Wheels: This organization uses volunteers to deliver lunch to seniors in the Marshall area every weekday. A delivery route takes around 30 minutes and can be completed between 9:30 AM and noon. Volunteers must be willing to use their vehicle for the route. Meals and route instructions are available at 106 East Crockett Street. To volunteer, call Susan at 903-935-6115.
Mission Carthage: This ministry is a citywide effort in Carthage (25 miles south of Marshall) to meet the needs of the poor and underprivileged. Volunteers are most needed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 to 11:30 AM or 1 to 3:30 PM to help load and stock food boxes. Needs are greatest in the first 2 to 3 weeks of the month. The main address is 940 E. Sabine in Carthage. From Marshall, travel south on 59 until you get to Carthage. Turn left on the loop (436). Go around the loop and exit on US 79 (E. Sabine). Take a left and travel until you see 940 E. Sabine, the first driveway on the right. To learn more, contact volunteer coordinator Ann Green at 903-693-4402 or visit www.missioncarthage.com.
Mission Marshall: This mission center currently houses the local Food Pantry, Faith Medical Clinic, and Habitat for Humanity offices. (Each ministry has a separate entry on this list.) Mission Marshall needs volunteers to assist with client intake for the food pantry on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM, and on the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM to noon. Volunteers are also needed to distribute free produce to community members on the first and third Friday of each month between 10 AM and 1 PM. To volunteer, please contact director Misty Scott at 903-472-4944 or mscott@missionmarshall.org. Mission Marshall is located at the northwest corner of Washington and Pinecrest (2109 S. Washington).
My Friend’s House: This local effort to befriend the homeless and needy is directed by Drs. David and Carolyn Snow. She is a former longtime ETBU professor. My Friend’s House includes a store and a shelter to assist those in need. Volunteer opportunities include light construction, helping re-assemble the store, repairing and assembling computers, and interacting with residents. For more information, call 903-938-1918 or email atmyfriendshouse@gmail.com.
Shreveport/Bossier Rescue Mission: This mission includes a homeless shelter, a warehouse, and other ministries. There are numerous opportunities seven days a week, including serving meals and helping with a children’s time in the evenings. A brief orientation is required before you begin serving; orientation dates are listed on the website. The address is 901 McNeil St., Shreveport. Take I-20 to Shreveport; exit on Line Ave., turn left; the road becomes Common St. Turn right on Cotton St.; travel two blocks; and turn right on McNeil. For more information, contact Community Relations Manager Anna Adams at 318-227-2868 ext. 104 or aadams@sbrescuemission.com. You can also visit www.sbrescuemission.com , www.facebook.com/SBRescueMission, and http://twitter.com/homelessrescue.
Travis Elementary Reading Project: Volunteers are needed to assist teachers in working with students at this local elementary school. Many children need someone to work with them to practice reading. Teachers may have you read books to the children to help them experience the joys of storytelling and learning. Alternatively, a teacher may assign children to read aloud to you. This is a vital part of their development, since children who fall behind in lower grades often never catch up. To learn more, contact Principal Amy Dickson 903-927-8780 or dicksona@marshallisd.com.