Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Tag: CitySquare

  • CitySquare to sell property to The StewPot

    CitySquare to sell property to The StewPot

    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

    ​

  • CitySquare to close by year’s end

    CitySquare to close by year’s end

    Last month another North Texas nonprofit announced it would be closing its doors by the end of the year. Poverty-fighting nonprofit, CitySquare will close after 37 years of addressing hunger, health, housing and hope in Dallas County.

    According to recent to the latest published Audited Financials, CitySquare held over $85M in consolidated assets, generated over $35 million in revenue, and incurred over $38 million in functional expenses in 2022.

    City Square CEO Annam Manthram was hired in 2023 and told FOX 4 news, “I knew that the organization had been struggling a little financially, but I wasn’t aware of how much. And, I don’t believe that our board knew as well. So I thought I had at least two or three more years to really right the ship, but didn’t really have that much runway.”

    DFW501c.news has reached out to CitySquare for additional information.

    The following statement from Manthram was posted to the organization’s website:

    “Between now and December, with a thoughtful, neighbor-centered plan, CitySquare will transition our vital programming to partner organizations. In the process we will support employees seeking new jobs. After we’ve transitioned the programs, the organization—the 501(c)3—will wind down.

    ​CitySquare’s founding purpose was to end poverty and to connect our unhoused neighbors to housing and case management. The programs we transition will do that for as long as the community needs them.

    ​As you know, our programs make a significant impact in our community. Our food pantry serves over 12,500+ neighbors, our housing case management and street outreach team serves almost 1,000 neighbors, and we help 2,341 neighbors navigate connections to health insurance and other vital resources.

    ​Why now? When I joined the organization at the end of last August, I knew it faced challenges. I believed I had at least three years to get the ship righted, but what I discovered was a much larger funding deficit than even the Board knew about, which didn’t give me the runway to build our brand and regain a solid base of support. We have made all of the right decisions to center our neighbors, including this one.

    ​Merging CitySquare programs with other, established programs makes the most financial and programmatic sense and will best serve the neighbors. I speak for myself, our Board, and my team when I say that’s why we’re here – for the neighbors. As many of you know, I am a neighbor myself, and I see my own struggles – and my subsequent resiliency and perseverance – in the people we serve.

    ​Together, with a community-wide effort, we can make this campus a flourishing, thriving center of partners, neighbors, staff and stakeholders, wrapping their arms around each other and our neighbors, lifting them out of poverty and homelessness.

    For our community partners who provide housing services: As we work through this transition our campus will remain open. Our goal is to ensure that our onsite programming continues. We will be working with Housing Forward to transition our housing programs to existing providers in the community. We hand distributed letters to our neighbors in our housing programs letting them know they will not lose their housing or services in this transition, but in the coming months the agency managing their services and their case manager may change.

    For our campus partners and neighbors who utilize our other services: As we work through this transition our campus will remain open. Our goal is to ensure that our onsite programming continues. We will communicate any changes with partnerships or services as they occur.

    ​I’m incredibly grateful to Lewis Weinger, our Board Chair, for his support and leadership, and to our key funders who support this thoughtful plan and are appreciative of how much effort has gone into ensuring sustainability for our neighbors and staff. I am also incredibly grateful for my Executive Team, Sara Craig and Karla Goss, who have become fellow heart-led champions of our work, and to the staff who remain faithful to our mission and continually put our neighbors first. You are the real superheroes. “

    source: CitySquare website, Fox Channel 4,

  • Dallas nonprofit leader receives lifetime achievement award

    For the fifth year, the State Fair of Texas and the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum Steering Committee have announced the recipients of the Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards.

    Juanita Craft tirelessly fought for civil rights and played a crucial role in integrating many Dallas establishments, including the State Fair of Texas. In honor of her efforts, achievements, and impact, individuals who continue her legacy as advocates for positive change in our community were recognized at a ceremony during the 2022 State Fair of Texas.

    Dallas-area leader Larry James was honored with the Legacy Award, a lifetime achievement award for individuals, families, or organizations that have made important and sustained contributions to the understanding and promotion of civil rights.

    The Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum Steering Committee established and executed the award selection process as part of their civil rights education and awareness initiative. Nominations were evaluated based on impact and active involvement in the community, commitment to social justice through notable efforts, and evidence of time and resources used to address issues in the community.

    Larry James has held executive leadership positions for CitySquare since 1994. He currently serves as CEO Emeritus. The company combats East and South Dallas poverty through a community and faith-based approach to education, medical care, legal services, technical training, youth and children’s ministry, housing and development, and interventions. James holds degrees from Harding University (BA 1972), Harding School of Theology (MA 1973), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv 1977), Tulane University (MA—American History 1986), and Perkins School of Theology at SMU (postgraduate studies).

    Throughout his career, James has been involved in developing and implementing holistic, justice-focused approaches to congregational and community service and outreach. James served as chair of former Mayor Tom Leppert’s Work Group on Housing, chair of Mayor Mike Rawlings’ Poverty Task Force, and co-chair with Mayor Rawlings of Neighbor Up’s Collective Impact Leadership Council that directs targeted work in Southern Dallas as a part of the mayor’s GrowSouth initiative. Since 2020, James has served as Board Chair with Forest Forward, a Purpose Built. James’ books, The Wealth of the Poor: How Valuing Every Neighbor Restores Hope in Our Cities (ACU Press, 2013 and House Rules: Insights for Innovative Leaders, provide insight on urban community development.

    James was nominated for the award by Children at Risk.

  • Former Dallas ISD Elementary School Transformed into Homeless Shelter for Youth

    Dallas News reports that After8toEducate, located in Dallas, has renovated the 35-bed Fannie C. Harris Youth Center, a repurposed Dallas ISD elementary school, and will open in early January.

    After8toEducate is a collaborative effort between four Dallas nonprofits including City Square, Promise House, Dallas ISD and Social Venture Partners Dallas to provide a hub for homeless students and youth to receive support and shelter.

  • CitySquare Receives Funding from ExxonMobil

    CitySquare, located in Dallas, has shared they have received the ExxonMobil Chairman’s Gift to fund their poverty efforts.

  • CitySquare Opens Place for Homeless Dallas Youth

    NBC5 reports that CitySquare, located in Dallas, has opened a welcoming place for homeless Dallas youth at the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center.

    Dallas ISD has reported almost 3,000 students listed as homeless in 2018 and the number is expected to increase this school year.

  • CitySquare Café Reopens

    CitySquare, located in Dallas, shared The CitySquare Café has re-opened with new hours and menu items. Breakfast or lunch is available Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 2 PM.

    CitySquare Café is located at 1610 S Malcolm X Blvd.

  • Dallas Coffee Shop to Hire Former Foster Kids

    Guide Live reports a new coffee shop in Dallas will focus on hiring unemployed former foster kids. The La La Land Kind Café will partner with CitySquare, an organization that fights poverty in Dallas, to recruit and train employees ages 17 to 23 on how to be a barista, cashier and chief.

    La La Kind Café is expected to open in March.

  • Dallas Nonprofits Partner for New Grocery Store

    WFAA reports that two Dallas nonprofit organizations, CitySquare and For Oak Cliff, are partnering to open a grocery store in a Dallas neighborhood with few grocery stores nearby.

    The area is known as a food desert, so organizers said they are planning to open the store in the Glendale Shopping Center in Oak Cliff, in a space next to a Family Dollar that was formerly occupied by a thrift shop.

    City Square and For Oak Cliff plan to open the nonprofit grocery store in 2020.