Dallas Hope Charities (DHC) unveiled major transformations to their Dallas Hope Center on Friday, Apr 14, 2023.
Dallas Hope Charities cares for those in need throughout our social community, geographical community, and beyond and operates Hope Center, Dallas’ LGBTQ-focused homeless youth transitional living center and extension program. The Hope Center offers a safe environment for youth 18-24 years of age where they learn essential life skills necessary to successfully live independent lives. Dallas Hope Charities offers an LGBT-focused basic needs resource hub, Collective Hope Coalition; works with the Dallas Police Department through the Safe Place program to spread awareness and education in the community by encouraging victims to report ALL crimes, especially hate crimes; and offers Hopeful Discussions, a series that is geared toward reducing homophobia.
The home transformation began with U.S. Bank providing the crucial funding for the construction work, completed by MCS – a leading property services company, with SHINEscapes – a DFW-based landscaping company, performing the outdoor renovations. the transformation was perfected with the design and personalization of the interior living spaces from Dwell with Dignity and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA.
The Dallas Hope Center is an LGBTQ-focused transitional living program for homeless youth ages 18-24. During the 12-month program, residents are provided a safe, welcoming environment and basic needs where they can learn important life skills necessary to successfully live independent lives. Before the transformation, the Dallas Hope Center was in dire need of updates and repairs. Chief Executive Officer, Tamika Perry, stressed that “beds were broken, blinds were taped up, there were leaks, structural issues, and more”.
“This is the first donation and partnership under our new Home Pride initiative, focused on securing stable housing for LGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing homelessness. The consequences of homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth are devastating, ” said Senior Vice President, Head of Consumer & Mortgage Default Operations at U.S. Bank, Douglas Whittemore. “This program is designed to help young people that are often forced to leave their homes due to rejection, discrimination, and abuse from their families and communities. They are left without a support system, without a safe and stable place to call home. It is our goal to scale this program, not only in DFW, but to other states outside of Texas as well.
“Home Pride is in addition to our community outreach programs assisting military veterans. We have made, in total, 100 donations to military families over the past decade, including 23 mortgage-free homes through our Housing Opportunities after Military Engagement (H.O.M.E) program. Now, we are extending beyond to include investments in refurbishing properties to help these young people. We are grateful for the work DHC is doing in the Dallas area and excited for this partnership.”
Jennifer Harrison, Senior Manager, Operations at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, said “All of us at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA are so happy to see that our relationships with Dwell with Dignity and Dallas Hope Charities became the catalyst to help create a new and welcoming home for the Dallas Hope Center residents. Having a comfortable and safe space to call home allows these residents to move forward in their lives with confidence and pride.”
“When Dwell with Dignity transforms a space, we often see not only physical improvements but also behavior changes. For example, their mental health improves, and their employment opportunities increase. Through our work with families and communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we know that by building a beautiful foundation, you can permanently change lives.” Ashley Sharp, Executive Director at Dwell with Dignity.
