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Farmers Branch residents learned about a new volunteer-driven initiative designed to help neighbors facing property maintenance challenges during a July 11 District 2 Town Hall hosted by City Council Member Tina Bennett-Burton.
The meeting focused on the city's new Code Care Program, which connects residents who need assistance with volunteers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, churches and other community partners for minor property maintenance projects.
"The purpose of Code Care is simple," Bennett-Burton said. "It is designed to help residents who may not be able to take care of their property needs due to illness, disability, financial strain or other reasons."
She said the initiative creates a pathway for neighbors to help neighbors while encouraging voluntary compliance with city codes.
"We are one city, and together, we can make our neighborhoods safe and beautiful so that we can all feel at home," Bennett-Burton said.
Senior Community Engagement Code Enforcement Officer Angeleana Camacho said code enforcement officers regularly encounter residents who want to address property maintenance issues but cannot do the work themselves.
"There are times when we meet residents who simply cannot address the problem on their own," Camacho said. "They may be elderly, living with a disability, recovering from an illness, or experiencing financial hardship. In many of those situations, the issue isn't a lack of willingness. It's a lack of resources or assistance."
Camacho estimated roughly 15% of Farmers Branch residents could benefit from assistance.
Senior Code Enforcement Officer Alex Del Campo said he would rather connect residents with help than issue citations.
He said grass grows quickly this time of year, and he understands the challenges some residents face keeping up with yard maintenance.
"I wish I could punch out after my shift and mow the lawns” of the residents who need the most help, Del Campo said. "I feel like this is a great way to get the community to engage and help their fellow residents."
Camacho said the program is not intended to replace code enforcement but to give officers another option that helps residents come into compliance while preserving their dignity.
Residents may request a Code Care application for themselves or nominate a neighbor who could benefit. Code enforcement officers also may identify residents who qualify during routine operations.
The city is seeking volunteers to help with projects including yard cleanup, mowing, trimming overgrown vegetation, tree limb and debris removal, minor exterior home repairs such as painting, porch repairs, window sealing and fence repairs, and connecting residents with other community resources.
The program will rely on partnerships with volunteer organizations, neighborhood associations, churches, civic groups, nonprofit organizations and local businesses willing to donate time, materials or services.
Residents interested in volunteering can contact the Farmers Branch Code Enforcement Division at 972-919-2671 or email Camacho directly.
Director of Community Services Derek Hull said there is no limit to the number of volunteers the city hopes to recruit.
"We'll always have activities for people to engage in," he said.
While Code Care was the focus of the morning, about 35 people also heard updates from Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) leaders and Farmers Branch Citizens on Patrol.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) Board of Trustees President Cassandra Hatfield and Director of Student Services Liz Binion gave updates on enrollment, community partnership opportunities and the construction of the new Farmers Branch Elementary.
Hatfield said parents re-enrolling their children for the 2026-2027 school year will find the process simpler than years past. She said it took her less than 3½ minutes and about three clicks to re-enroll her daughter for the school year.
In addition to the enrollment portal, the district offers in-person help at an enrollment center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at 1820 Pearl St. in Carrollton as well as a hotline 972-968-6500.
Binion said simplifying the re-enrollment process for parents was a high priority, but also said that parents can seek help for other issues, such as for finding uniforms or shoes for their children at the CFBISD Giving House, which also helps with hygiene products such as underwear and socks.
“We’ve eliminated a lot of the barriers for enrolling,” she said.
Hatfield also said the district is looking for mentors for students, people to read to students and internship opportunities for high school students and asked that people looking for volunteer opportunities contact the district.
Hatfield encouraged residents to follow the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature, saying committees have already begun meeting ahead of the session, which convenes Jan. 12, 2027. Bill filing begins in November.
Hatfield shared two documents here and here for residents to see what is coming up.
In addition, Pat Link, who leads the Farmers Branch Citizens on Patrol (COP) program, reminded residents that they can sign up to have volunteers check on their house daily while residents are on vacation.
She said she and her husband attended the Citizens Police Academy and the Citizens Fire Academy five years ago when her husband retired, and said they were good areas to get connected to the community.
She said a COP volunteer helped a family in an anxious moment during the annual Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration when he observed a small child alone in the crowd as well as distressed parents.
“He was able to get those parents back to their child within three minutes,” she said.
Building stronger neighborhoods depends on residents working together to support one another. From Code Care volunteers to school mentors and Citizens on Patrol, speakers encouraged residents to find a way to serve their community. Each organization offered a different opportunity, but all shared the same goal of making Farmers Branch a stronger place to live.
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