November 14, 2019 – The Dallas Morning News – Loyd Brumfield
Pastor Chris Simmons smiled and leaped into a hearty embrace when he learned his South Dallas church’s nonprofit would have the money to help more people in need heading into winter.
“We are so excited,” said Simmons, executive director of Cornerstone Community Development Corp., a first-year beneficiary of donations from The Dallas Morning News Charities campaign.
Cornerstone is one of 23 nonprofits selected to receive contributions through the campaign, which raises money for the homeless, hungry and unemployed in North Texas. The drive launched Thursday with a kickoff event at the Winspear Opera House in downtown Dallas.
This year’s campaign begins with more than $400,000 in the coffers, the second-best start in the 34-year history of the fundraising drive. That includes $200,000 from the J.L. Williams Foundation, over $60,000 from North Texas Giving Day, $50,000 from the Hertich Estate Fund, $25,000 from the MacArthur Estate Fund and $10,000 from The Dallas Foundation. Employees of The News and other individual supporters also pitched in more than $17,500 so far.
The donations will be put to good use, said Simmons, the pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church.
“We are going to be able to expand our outreach into the most vulnerable populations in the Fair Park and South Dallas communities,” said Simmons, whose organization includes shower facilities, a clothes closet, health and dental clinics, and meals served in a community kitchen.
It also manages transitional housing for formerly incarcerated men, and a home and services for pregnant teenagers.
“More money means more resources,” Simmons said. “And more resources mean more opportunities to help.”
The campaign runs through Jan. 31. This year’s fundraising goal is $1.5 million. Last year’s campaign raised nearly $1.13 million from 1,340 donors.
Throughout its history, the campaign has raised more than $32 million.
Grant Moise, publisher and president of The Dallas Morning News, said the need for community support grows more urgent each year.
“Regardless of the size of the area, we’re seeing 19% more people year over year who are becoming homeless,” Moise said. “We’re not closing the gap. It’s widening, and that’s really what concerns me.”
Changing the trend means finding smarter ways to reduce homelessness, Moise said.
“We’ve got a lot of organizations that want to solve this, and it’s not for a lack of will and good intent, but we’ve just got to be smarter in how we solve this,” he said.
Moise cited several nonprofits doing just that.
Cornerstone, for example, has partnered with Bike Friendly South Dallas to solve a problem: “How do we get bikes into South Dallas to get to people who need to go to work?” Moise said.
OurCalling, a six-year beneficiary of The Dallas Morning News Charities, formed a partnership with AT&T to develop apps to locate shelters for those struggling with homelessness, Moise said.
Network of Community Ministries, which has been a part of The Dallas Morning News Charities for 25 years, was the city of Richardson’s first choice in helping people find resources and sanctuary after the October tornadoes.
And Austin Street Center, which has been a part of the campaign since it began 34 years ago, devised a roommate program to ease burdens on those who need a bed.
This year, two other organizations join Cornerstone as first-year recipients.
“We’re delighted that we were selected,” said Mark Porter, executive director of Harmony Community Development Corp. “This can help us strengthen our neighborhoods and revitalize our communities.”
Mission Oak Cliff, a drop-in center for the homeless that includes daily lunches, showers, clothes closet, a client-choice pantry and numerous other services, is another newcomer to the campaign.
“It’s just incredible. We are very thankful,” said Kevin Pranoto, the first-year executive director.
Ashlie Alaman, who calls herself a “super-volunteer” and helps the organization with fundraising, was thankful to the Communities Foundation of Texas for nominating Mission Oak Cliff.
“It has just really meant a lot to us,” she said.
After an annual vetting process, agencies were selected because of their dedication to the provisions of shelter, emergency assistance, food, clothing, job skills training and counseling for those in need, as well as their organizational integrity and solid financial reports, said Camille Grimes, executive director of The Dallas Morning News Charities.
“The 23 nonprofits that make up our Charities are the hands and feet of compassion and hope to our homeless and hungry neighbors,” she said. “These nonprofits provide vital services that would not be possible except through the caring hearts of our donors. It is because of our donors — lives are changing.”
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Family Gateway
Shelter and supportive housing programs for children and families affected by homelessness with wrap-around services including case management, adult and children’s services, and an education program.
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