community projects

Altrusa Richardson Service Projects 2025-2026

Ability House is a home for six adults with Cerebral Palsy, supported by Ability Connection Texas. Altrusa Richardson adopted Ability House in 1995. At least once each month, Altrusans visit the residents of Ability House to celebrate birthdays and/or holidays. We also plan outings that the residents may enjoy: Richardson Community Band Concerts, Christmas Parade, a holiday theater production or a movie.

Choose Kind Libraries: Choose Kind Libraries is an ongoing project in partnership with RISD, HELPS International, TeacHaiti, and Think Kindness, which promotes values of inclusion, kindness, acceptance, anti-bullying, citizenship and respect for cultural, racial, physical and developmental diversity through literacy.  As of 2025, Altrusa had established, and supports, 27 Choose Kind Libraries in schools in the Richardson Independent School District.

International Relations : Because Altrusa is an international organization, we perform projects that promote international relations and several United Nations Days are recognized throughout the year as well. Members on this committee help find ways to encourage and stimulate international relations, to create an awareness of other cultures and people of the world, bring in speakers, and support international projects, etc. 

KAN Weekend:  Inspired by Brian Williams’ Think Kindness Foundation, KAN Projects spread kindness through the community by focusing annually on a variety of “kindness projects” during a full weekend in April.  KAN Weekends began April 2016, and have featured acts of kindness to first responders (snacks and refreshments), seniors (new pajamas), homeless veterans (medical kits), female veterans (personal care items), homeless animals, etc.  KAN Weekend 2025 encourages the entire city to particiate.

The Community Outreach Committee provides a variety of on-going service projects that benefit the Richardson community as a whole: collections of food, toys, toiletries, clothing, and books - just to name a few. We support the Seniors in our community at Appletree Court Auction, Atria Bingo, Mothers Day Tea, Tie One on For Father's Day, Bookmovers and Alzheimer's Walk. UN Ending violence against women and as a part of our legacy of promoting Literacy we support Richardson Reads One Book, a community wide reading initiative that unites the community.

This Committee evaluates scholarship applications received from graduating high school seniors and awards scholarships in the Spring. The April program/dinner meeting is designated to recognize the scholarship recipients.