What a journey Dr. Mona, as many fondly call her, has been on. She and her family came to the United States seeking refuge from the turbulence in her home country of Kurdistan, North of Iraq during the Saddam Hussein regime. Placed in Richardson upon arrival, they received help from a nonprofit group aiding refugees with building new lives. So moved by this guidance, Mona decided to pay back the community by volunteering to do the same. For over 30 years, the impact of her volunteer work has been life-changing for countless numbers of individuals and families.

Mona earned her two associate’s and a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. Her dissertation is registered in the Library of Congress. Mona is a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner, Mental Health Professional and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). She applied her expertise and knowledge to assist clients who needed help assimilating to life in Richardson, Texas. She steered them through the myriad of systems to find to food resources, housing, school enrollment, trauma counseling, learning English, finding a spiritual home, and meeting new friends in a city where most knew no one. Because Mona speaks four languages, she is able to communicate with many.

Mona first volunteered with Kurdish Human Rights Watch, at a time when a high number of Kurdish refugees arrived in North Dallas between 1998 and 2005. Mona provided strength and a guiding hand to help settle individuals and families into their new lives. Without her assistance, many would not have stood on solid ground as they do now.

Dr. Mona began volunteering at the Islamic Association of North Texas (IANT) in 2010. She is the main point of contact for the IANT Financial Aid and Social Services Department. Every week she devotes 10-15 hours to support single mother, widows, newly arrived refugees and low-income families, offering critical services through a social service line she personally established and continues to lead. Her work ensures vulnerable individuals find logistical and emotional support. By steering individuals to the resources they need to begin life again, she helps them build sustainable, self-sufficient lives.

The Dallas Institute for Immigrant Women, co-founded by Mona in 2018 is a nonprofit human and social services organization focused on improving the quality of life of immigrant women who face trauma and loss. Mona set up programs and services to aid individuals with accessing necessary assistance. She established several hotlines for suicide, crisis, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and adult protective services.

Mona also is the co-founder of the Peaceful Oasis Home Women’s Shelter, Mosaic House Women's Shelter, Refugee Domestic Violence Program, Muslim Domestic Violence Shelter Program, and Refugee Mental Health Program. She also volunteers with the Richardson Police Department and is on the Civil Board for the City of Richardson, as well as an advisory board member for Eastfield College and the University of North Texas.

When Neil Stampe retired at the young age of 49, he didn’t take a breath before he made the decision to turn what some would look at as a time to slow down into a time to give back. For 30 years and counting, he has contributed in a very impactful way.

He began his volunteer “career” in 1995 by joining the Richardson Rotary Club. Neil soon began making strides by holding a multitude of roles, including Programs Chairman, Community Service Chairman, Membership Chairman, President Elect, President, Past President, Foundation Board Member, and was just sworn in as the 2025 Treasurer, a role he has held several times before. He was presented the Ethics Award in 2017 for his conduct.

A proud graduating member of Leadership Richardson’s Class 12 in 1996, Neil kept that pride going within this organization by acting as an advisor, a "rock" (mentor), and curriculum chair for Classes 20 – 25 and 27-31. Each class is an 8-month program learning all aspects of the City of Richardson. In 1997, he joined the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association, where he held a variety of roles, including Fundraising, President, and Past President. He earned the  Outstanding Alumnus award in 2005 and remains active to this day.

In 2003, Neil added the Network of Community Ministries Handyman (a part of Seniors’ Net) to his volunteer tool belt. Twice a week he, along with a team of others, does home and safety repairs for seniors and the disabled, such as installing wheelchair ramps and shower bars, at no cost to them. Currently he coordinates this invaluable program that allows this serviced group to remain in their homes. He further enhanced his value to Network by joining their Board of Directors for six years. He served as Finance Committee member, Board Vice Chair and Board Chair. During his tenure, he aided in Network’s growth through a successful $6.3 million fundraising campaign that secured their current headquarters, a building four times larger than the previous location, allowing them to expand their Clothing Closet, Food Pantry, Stabilization Program and add health services.

Neil was one of the founders who established a similar handyman program at First Methodist Richardson Church in 2016. First Richardson Helpers provides the same beneficial no-cost home repair service for seniors. Weekly you’ll catch Neil loading up his infamous red Miata with tools of the trade and taking off to tackle another home project.

Additionally, since 2002, Neil has volunteered with Senior Source, a nonprofit that serves Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties. His assistance has improved seniors’ financial status by mentoring them as they manage their budgets and bills.

Neil lives by his mantra, “There’s a job there. I can do it. Let’s get going and get it done.” He has been doing just that since 1995 and is still going strong.