Our Place

Pros

• Nicole is great!
• Our Friends Place is celebrating 30 years in the North Texas area and what a blessing they are to young women who strive to have a better life.
• Thanks to OFP many young women have gained stability and independence opening doors to more possibilities for their future!
• They focus on empowerment not entitlement and allow each client to realize their own potential and work towards their goals through education, employment and life skills programming.
• They were there through the good times and bad times.
• A great support for our community!

Cons

• They turned away someone because she had savings, punishing her for being financially responsible.
• The shelter is described as horrible after it kicked out a woman who relocated there for help, leaving her homeless in a city she didn't know.
• A rule states that if someone must go into a mental health facility or seek mental health help, they will be kicked out, implying those seeking help are viewed as a threat.
• The requirement for credit, three times the rent, and a co-signer is viewed as punishing people who are financially responsible.

Review

Our Friends Place in the North Texas area stands as a long-standing beacon for young women seeking stability, independence, and a path forward. With 30 years of service behind it, the organization is frequently described as a steadfast presence in the community - empowering residents through education, employment preparation, and life skills training. The stories about OFP come from a wide range of experiences: some speak of heartbreak and barriers, others of transformation, growth, and lasting connections that continue long after a resident leaves the program. Taken together, they paint a picture of a program with a real impact, even as it navigates the difficult realities that come with housing and support services.

One paragraph of the collective voice unmistakably captures a moment of frustration and systemic challenge: a resident recalls being turned away despite having nowhere else to go, because she had money saved. "I had nowhere to go and they turned me down because I had money in savings. I HAD NOWHERE TO GO." The sentiment is sharp and poignant: sometimes responsible financial behavior can paradoxically become a barrier to urgent housing help. The reviewer notes the kinds of barriers many housing programs rely on - credit requirements, three times rent as income benchmarks, co-signers - factors that can exclude people who are otherwise doing their best under difficult circumstances. In their words, it felt as though being financially prudent could be punished, especially for someone who had worked toward stability and education. The message is a stark reminder of how policy requirements intersect with personal crises in ways that can leave people more exposed rather than protected.

Another account raises concerns about policy and the way crises are handled, highlighting a different kind of tension. A reviewer describes a situation where a woman relocated to the city for help and ended up homeless again after what happened when she reached out to her case manager after hours. The report emphasizes a policy that would eject someone if they need to enter a mental health facility or seek mental health treatment, arguing that such a policy effectively portrays seeking help as a threat to others. This narrative conveys fear and worry about how the organization's rules are applied in moments of vulnerability, and it underscores the complexity of balancing safety, privacy, and access to care in a shelter setting.

Counterbalancing these concerns are many voices that celebrate OFP as a lifeline and a place of real opportunity. One reviewer who had been in foster care notes that OFP provided a path to education and community integration: "I lived here when I had got out of the foster care system and no where to go. Now I teach locally here in the Metroplex." The positive energy is reinforced by a specific shout-out: "Nicole is great!" The emphasis on mentorship, guidance, and practical development - especially for young women - comes through as a transformative experience in their lives. The program is credited with helping residents move toward stable careers and secure housing, signaling that OFP can be a springboard for long-term success.

A recurring thread in the more favorable reviews is the depth and durability of the relationships built within the program. One person describes OFP as their home for six years, moving from group living into the TLC - transitional living center - program, and ultimately graduating to independent life. The experience is framed as comprehensive: tutoring toward self-sufficiency, becoming independent and outgoing, and even participating in community service and family vacations arranged through the program. The sense of continuity is echoed in the alumni network: former residents meet monthly to explore how to improve the future for Our Friends Place and to support one another. The appreciation extends to the entire community of alumni, donors, and volunteers who contribute to the organization's ongoing success.

The sentiment of gratitude grows wider with statements about personal growth and identity transformation. A resident who feels she became the person she is today thanks to OFP describes herself as forever grateful for everyone involved. The organization is portrayed not just as a shelter, but as a catalyst for ongoing personal development, empowerment, and community involvement. The testimonials emphasize that residents are helped to realize their own potential and to work toward goals in education, employment, and life skills, all while forming a supportive network that lasts well beyond the shelter's immediate programs.

Finally, the big-picture view celebrates OFP as a cornerstone of the community and a model of empowerment. The organization's 30-year milestone is framed as a testament to its enduring impact on young women who aspire to better lives. The emphasis on empowerment - not entitlement - guides the approach to helping residents realize their own potential and to craft futures that include education, meaningful work, and life skills. In addition to the individual stories, there is a clear sense that OFP is a dependable source of community support, with broad appreciation from donors and volunteers who recognize the difference their contributions make in the lives of those served.

Across the full array of comments, Our Friends Place emerges as a mix of challenges and champions. Some experiences reveal systemic hurdles and policy tensions that can complicate access to shelter and care, while many others spotlight the organization's enduring strengths: a supportive culture, lasting mentorship, alumni engagement, and the transformative power of education, employment preparation, and life skills development. The overarching message is that OFP remains a meaningful, affirmed pathway for young women seeking stability and growth in North Texas, supported by a network of staff, alumni, and community partners who believe in second chances and sustained progress.

This part of Dallas, Texas offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of senior citizens. With several places of worship nearby such as the Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration and St Monica Catholic Church, residents have easy access to spiritual support. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple pharmacies and physicians offices in close proximity, including Eye Care Associates and Pediatric Associates of Dallas. For entertainment and dining options, residents can enjoy a variety of restaurants like Al Biernat's North and Ida Claire, as well as theaters such as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and AMC Theater Northpark. Additionally, parks like Addison Circle Park provide green spaces for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Transportation options are convenient with nearby DART stations like Park Lane Station and Arapaho Center Station, as well as access to Dallas Love Field Airport for travel needs. Overall, this area offers a vibrant community with plenty of resources for seniors to enjoy a comfortable living experience.

Places of Worship

• Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration (0.8 miles)
• Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (3.6 miles)
• Webb Chapel Church of Christ (4.4 miles)
• St Monica Catholic Church (4.4 miles)
• Temple Emanu-El (4.6 miles)
• Northway Christian Church (4.9 miles)
• Prestonwood Baptist Church (6.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Mimi's Star Cafe (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Al Biernat's North (1.2 miles)
• The Hideaway (1.4 miles)
• Kenny's Wood Fired Grill (2 miles)
• Ida Claire (2.1 miles)
• The Mucky Duck Bar (2.4 miles)
• Wingstop (3.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Addison Circle Park (2.5 miles)
• R.P Brooks Park (5.4 miles)
• Germany Park (6.3 miles)
• Russell Creek Park (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (3.7 miles)
• AMC Theater Northpark (4.7 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (5.6 miles)

Physicians

• Eye Care Associates (3.9 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Dallas (4 miles)
• Eminent Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center (5.7 miles)
• The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas (6.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (4.2 miles)
• The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• Park Lane Station (4.7 miles)
• Arapaho Center Station (4.9 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (6.1 miles)
• Dallas Love Field (DAL) (6.7 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint (6.9 miles)
• Southwest Airlines (6.9 miles)
• Baggage Claim (6.9 miles)