After announcing the closing of the organization, City Square has now reported that their Board of Directors voted to accept an offer from The Stewpot to purchase its Opportunity Center, located at 1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd, Dallas, TX 75226, with plans to continue operating the Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry that operated in that location. Both CitySquare and The Stewpot have started the process of seeking all necessary approvals to complete the sale and transition the programs to The Stewpot.
“I feel heartened by this partnership. I know that The Stewpot will continue the legacy of our vital onsite work – to compassionately serve our neighbors through our Food Pantry and Neighbor Resource Center – and further expand the impact of our anti-poverty footprint in South Dallas and beyond,” said Annam.
“For decades, The Stewpot and CitySquare have worked side-by-side to address the causes and consequences of poverty in Dallas,” shared Brenda Snitzer, Executive Director of The Stewpot. “Relocating The Stewpot’s programs and services to the Opportunity Center will not only allow us to deliver our current programs better in a purpose-built facility, but also offer us the opportunity to further CitySquare’s life-changing work in the South Dallas community through the continuation of the Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry. We look forward to welcoming our current clients to our new home, making new friends in our new neighborhood, and continuing to collaborate with community partners throughout our city to help those in need of assistance improve their lives.”
As a part of the process of seeking the “right” partner to purchase the Opportunity Center and continue the community services CitySquare currently offers, Annam sought feedback from the community. From that input, CitySquare developed a buyer’s matrix to ensure the process was equitable and that any future partners have a proven track record and sustainability for long-term success. The Stewpot mission and neighbor-centered focus align with and complement CitySquare’s mission and onsite programming. “CitySquare has been a resource at this location for ten years. We want the resource to stay, and we feel confident that The Stewpot will strengthen and even magnify the existing work already being done by other vital partners,” said Annam.
Dr. Froswa’ Booker, President of Soulstice Consultancy, was on the transition team and reflected on this transition, “I am grateful that Annam has been inclusive in listening to community leaders to learn of their concerns. Throughout this entire process, centering the community has been at the core of the decision-making. So often, organizations make decisions in isolation without including those who will be most impacted and affected. I believe that The Stewpot will continue to build on the foundation of CitySquare and continue to grow its footprint in collaboration with those in the community. Brenda Snitzer is someone that I’ve known for years, and I’ve witnessed her commitment to making a difference in partnership with others. I know that will evolve as she collaborates with the many phenomenal individuals and organizations in the South Dallas community. It’s been important to ensure that we continue to view South Dallas through an asset framework and as the Stewpot moves forward, I am confident that they will amplify and support the positive, existing work already occurring by so many nonprofits in the community.”
CitySquare will continue implementing the transition plan to transfer all programs and the Opportunity Center to partner organizations in the coming months to ensure our neighbors and community do not lose any resources.
source: press release
