Thursday, January 25, 2007

Students seek ‘extreme makeover’ for Duncanville’s Outreach Ministries

By Angel Morris of Duncanville TODAY

C'mon, admit it. ABC's “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” makes you cry.

But imagine how you'd feel if you personally knew the family on the receiving end of the hit TV show's makeover services.

Better yet, what if the recipient was Duncanville Outreach Ministries, the assistance center that helps local families in need every day?

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If some Duncanville High School students have their way, DOM will be "Extreme Makeover's" next choice.

“The Media Technology students have worked with Duncanville Outreach Ministries for many years, volunteering to pack food boxes at the holidays and adopting Christmas angels to shop and buy for,” Media Technology instructor Nancy Noyes said. “This year the students toured the outreach facility and asked its director, Anita Davis, what more they could do to help.”

Davis explained the need for expansion of the DOM facility to better serve the city's growing population in need.

With more room, the facility could offer not only food, clothing and Christmas gifts, but also educational training and seminars to help clients become more independent.

“The philosophy is, ‘If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime,'” Noyes said of DOM's goal to offer lessons in resume preparation, computer skills, dressing for success, business etiquette and more.

Through the years, DHS Media Tech students have produced videos for the department's broadcast magazine, “Eye of the Panther,” highlighting DOM, its services and its mission.

This year students decided to put their broadcast skills to further use by petitioning ABC TV's “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” to choose DOM for its next project.

“We have every intention of convincing ABC to make over our community facility. The students have decided to start with a signature petition to show producers how much this means to everyone in Duncanville,” Noyes said.

Students recently addressed the city council with a PowerPoint presentation about the idea, receiving a proclamation in support of their efforts.

They have addressed the local Rotary Club and are scheduling meetings with other civic groups in an effort to garner more signatures.

With previous DOM footage and new shots taken specifically for the ABC application, Media Tech students are creating a video documentary of their mission.

The documentary, PowerPoint presentation and application will be sent to ABC, along with the signature petition, upon completion.

“Then it will just be about awaiting their decision. But we also have some follow-up ideas so they won't forget us,” Noyes said.

Getting DOM made over won't be the first time DHS has come to the facility's aide. The original building was framed by students in the high school's construction trade program under the direction of instructor Roger Stevenson.

“It just goes to show how the community has always supported the outreach center for its efforts supporting the community. It all works together - how could ABC refuse such a story?” Noyes said.

Groups interested in viewing the PowerPoint presentation, assisting in the signature drive or promoting the effort may contact Noyes at 972-708-3760 or via e-mail at nnoyes@duncanvilleisd.org.

Watch for interviews with Davis and some of the 42 students who are part of the DOM makeover campaign in the coming weeks.

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