QuikTrip’s $5.9 Million Gift Fuels Homeward Bound’s Rapid Responder Outreach in North Texas

A North Texas nonprofit is getting a major boost to help people in crisis.

A Lifeline in the Streets

Homeward Bound, a behavioral health provider serving North Texas, announced a three‑year, $5.9 million partnership with QuikTrip to expand its Rapid Responder program. The initiative is designed to meet people where they are, offering help to those experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, or substance use issues. “We go out from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. into the community, working with folks who are in distress, who are sleeping on the streets, and encampments who are calling us for help,” said Homeward Bound founder and executive director Doug Denton.

Rapid Responder Teams on the Move

Founded more than 40 years ago, Homeward Bound provides treatment for substance use disorder, mental illness, and related crises, regardless of a client’s ability to pay. Denton says the organization was built on a simple mission – to never turn anyone away. “We go to them and help them get to the next place,” he said. “If we can stabilize somebody who’s having mental health problems, then we can step right in and start that process immediately. It’s really, since we offer comprehensive treatment services, we can respond to people’s needs.”

The Rapid Responder program deploys five teams across Dallas and eastern Tarrant County every day. These specialists assist people living on the streets or in encampments, providing services like transportation to shelters, food, clothing, and even family reunification. They also connect individuals to Homeward Bound’s full continuum of care—from detox to long‑term recovery support.

Impact Numbers Speak Volumes

Since outreach began in 2024, Rapid Responders have had nearly 2,800 encounters and provided more than 6,400 services, including diverting 577 emergency 911 calls. Denton said the program is making a measurable impact. “Last month alone, they engaged 220 people on the streets,” he said. “If we need to transport somebody to the hospital, we can do that. If we need to take somebody to a psychiatric center, we can do that. Or we can stay with that person, keep them stable until 911 can respond.”

Convenience stores often serve as first points of contact for people in crisis. Before this partnership, store managers with stores like QT frequently had to call police for help but in recent years, they’ve been building a partnership with Homeward Bound to them instead when non‑emergency situations arise. “We diverted 110 police calls last month,” Denton explained. “We can arrive within 15 to 20 minutes, assess what’s going on, and determine whether this needs police intervention, medical intervention, or if we can handle it ourselves.”

Future Growth and Vehicle Replacement

QuikTrip’s investment will help the team expand, including the replacement of aging vehicles. Denton said some responders were having to use personal cars to continue their work. The funding also strengthens efforts to improve public health, reduce recidivism, and support sustained recovery. “This investment allows us to reach more people and strengthen programs that help reduce recidivism, improve public health, and support sustained recovery,” Denton said.

Homeward Bound has admitted more than 200 people into treatment through Rapid Responders and continues to partner with courts, law enforcement, hospitals, and shelters to connect people with care rather than incarceration when appropriate.

Beyond Treatment: Reducing Recidivism and Improving Public Health

The partnership underscores a growing recognition that early intervention can alter life trajectories. By providing immediate medical and mental health support, the Rapid Responders help prevent situations that could otherwise lead to repeated encounters with the criminal justice system. The program’s success is measured not only by the number of services delivered but also by the broader impact on community safety and health outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• QuikTrip’s $5.9 million investment powers Homeward Bound’s Rapid Responder teams, delivering 6,400 services and diverting 577 911 calls in Dallas and Tarrant County.
• Rapid Responders have nearly 2,800 encounters, 220 people engaged last month, and 110 police calls diverted.
• The partnership replaces aging vehicles, expands outreach, and supports efforts to reduce recidivism and improve public health.

The collaboration between a major convenience‑store chain and a long‑standing behavioral health nonprofit demonstrates how public‑private partnerships can directly benefit those in crisis, providing timely care and reducing the strain on emergency services across North Texas.