Models of Transformation

There is a difference between wanting to make a difference for poor people in the inner city and knowing how to do it. These organizations are leading the way in community transformation.

Builders of Hope

The organization delivers quality affordable housing to stimulate the revitalization of West Dallas and develop a healthy and safe community. To accomplish this, they offer four main services: Affordable Housing (which includes building new homes, revitalization of existing homes, and demolition and rebuilding substandard homes), home buyer education and counseling, family support services, and community mobilization. HPPC is partnering with Builders of Hope in a comprehensive block-by-block strategy to reclaim West Dallas.

Builders of Hope CDC
333 N. Stemmons Frwy #100
Dallas, Texas 75207
ebsite: www.buildersofhopecdc.com

Ph: 214-920-9850
Fax: 214-630-5155


Dallas Leadership Foundation

Dallas Leadership Foundation plays a vital role in the city by linking businesses, churches, and civic groups along with their resources to communities of need. DLF’s community revitalization efforts currently impact six Dallas neighborhoods: Wynnewood Heights; Bertrand; Ideal; Frazier; Owenwood, and most recently Hamilton Park neighborhoods.

As compared with other initiatives that provide rehabilitation services throughout the city, DLF’s community development efforts, concentrate on more comprehensive, long term, community-based projects. We focus our efforts in particular neighborhoods for faster, more visible change in order to bring hope to the residents who live there. DLF’s community development goal is to restore neighborhoods so that all can enjoy the blessings and benefits of true community…we believe where there is healthy community people have the opportunity to fulfill their God-given destiny.

717 N. Harwood Street, Suite 840
Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone: 214-777-5520
Email Will McCall at wmccall@dlftx.org

Habitat for Humanity


Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry that builds affordable homes in partnership with low-income families, churches and businesses. HPPC will be embarking on its 21 st home this fall which will also be the second home HPPC has taken on its self with no partner. HPPC has been involved with habitat Dallas for all but a few years it has been in existence and has been one of the more active sponsors since the early 1990s. Dallas Habitat is reaching its stride in completing 96 homes last year and in the strategic alliances it has formed with other non profit and for profit entities. This last build for HPPC also further expanded involvement from its membership: middle school classes, African members, senior members, and various Sunday School classes. We also work with this organization to provide a house in Africa for every house we build here.

(214) 678-9061
2800 N Hampton Rd
Dallas, TX 75212 


ACT (Advocates for Community Transformation)

Reid Porter is a Dallas lawyer who recently left his private practice in litigation to start a legal ministry in Dallas called ACT, Advocates for Community Transformation. Porter, who is partnering with local non-profits such as Builders of Hope, West Dallas Community Church, and Weed and Seed, is working to intervene and seek justice on behalf of Dallas citizens who are oppressed by crime and blight in order to further spread the gospel of Jesus Christ within the community.

ACT’s specific approach is to identify and document evidence against property owners who fail to prevent crime or maintain minimum housing standards on their property. Using the most strategic legal solutions available, ACT partners with the City of Dallas and community leaders in order to hold offending property owners accountable and bolster the city’s current efforts in eliminating crime and blight in Dallas.

ACT’s vision is for Dallas to become a community of safer neighborhoods, where increased access to quality, affordable housing exists, and the transforming presence of Jesus Christ is experienced. Individuals wishing to assist in this great work can reach Porter at reid.porter@actdallas.org.

The mission of Presbyterian Housing Program Inc. is to lead the way for comprehensive community development and economic revitalization in a targeted at-risk neighborhood. This mission is achieved by providing safe, affordable housing and appropriate social services.

PHP has served over 65 families and provided a mission opportunity to more than 20 area churches. This includes rehabilitation of HUD homes for homeless families or those at risk of homelessness, a mentor program for families in Section 8 housing to provide guidance and advice, moving towards self-sufficiency.

Phone: 214-410-3080
4611 S. Marsalis Ave
Dallas Texas 75216
emailphp@presbyterianhousing.org

The purpose of the gospel is to reconcile alienated people to God and each other, across racial, cultural, social, and economic barriers.

Union Gospel Mission

The Union Gospel Mission men’s shelter Calvert Place provides over-night lodging and meals for up to 230 men per night. Bible studies and gospel services are held nightly to enable guests to hear the gospel and receive Jesus Christ and enter an environment where they can be nurtured in the Christian faith. A discipleship program is offered for individuals to transition back into productive lives. The new women and children’s shelter, Center of Hope, opened in February 2002. The Center food, lodging and clothing on an emergency basis and also has a discipleship program with transitional housing and life skill classes center on the Gospel.

Contact Paul Galahity at 214-637-6117 or paulg@ugmdallas.org for more information about volunteering at Calvert Place or the Center of Hope.

Interfaith Housing Coalition

To provide three-month transitional housing, combined with programming in employment, budgeting, parenting, and living skills, for Dallas area homeless families. Interfaith’s most fundamental mission is to be the “hands of Christ” to families in need. Utilizing a holistic approach to attack the root causes of homelessness, Interfaith Housing Coalition empowers its residents to obtain full-time permanent employment, rebuild their lives and families and sustain long term self sufficiency.

For more information on how you can support this worthwhile ministry, contact them at: 214-827-7220 Offices 214-827-1347 Executive & Development Fax 214-451-3198. You may visit their website at: www. interfaithhousingcoalition.org

This mission to the homeless has both a residential and pastoral care program offering help and hope to 350+ men, women and children each day. Persons staying at the Centre are provided with their basic needs such as food, showers, clothing, personal items and over the counter medications. In addition to the basics, Austin St. provides medical and psychiatric clinics in relationship with Southwestern Medical School that provides four psychiatric residents and two psychological interns for the ministries programs.

For more information on how you can support this faith based ministry, you may contact them at Austin Street Centre P.O. Box 710729 Dallas, Texas 75371-0729. Phone: 214-428-4242 or you may wish to email them at shelterspk@austinst.org. Website: www.austinst.org

First Presbyterian Church Stewpot The Stewpot attacks the problems of poverty and homelessness, not just with a hand-out, but with a hand-up to those who can and do return to a productive life. The noon meal provides a framework for delivering a variety of needed social services to the homeless and at-risk of our city, including free dental and medical services, inner city youth programs, drug and alcohol counseling, identification documentation, employment assistance, mail service, and a representative payee program.

For more information, contact Bruce Buchanan at 214-746-2785.