newsite.dallasareahabitat.org

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity has long relied on private donors to support our families’ dreams of home ownership. In the past we have asked specifically for donations in the building of new homes through a “sponsorship” model. This successful method of partnering sponsors and volunteers to build homes will always be our core business. But, it has left us scrambling for dollars at the end of each year.

The Dallas Habitat leadership and our Board of Directors know in order to sustain the work of the organization and to better serve more families, we must diversify our funding and ask for greater support, beyond simply the “bricks and sticks” of a house. Therefore, we have adopted a strategic vision we call, Dream Dallas. Dream Dallas is a comprehensive plan of revitalization in partnership with the Federal government, the City of Dallas, private investors, faith-based organizations and other non-profits.

We are asking our supporters to invest with us; to invest in the purchasing of land, the demolition of blighted properties, in infrastructure and in capital expenses that build capacity. These investments will be leveraged with other funds to create new homeownership opportunities for families, invest in neighborhood amenities, refurbish existing owner occupied houses and enhance family services and community outreach. We know in order to best serve our families, we must do more to help them thrive and be successful.

We lovingly call this new funding strategy, “Build a block.” We have been initially blessed with several new supporters, who have been sold on this model. These investors have helped Dallas Habitat to purchase dilapidated structures, a nightclub in the middle of a residential neighborhood, to purchase vacant land in order to build a sponsored home and to provide for funds enabling Habitat to refurbish homes that will be next-door to new homes.

Our focus will always be to serve families and improve neighborhoods, our vision has just gotten broader as we improve the lives of families not just through homeownership, but also with access to quality education for their children, easily accessible healthcare and public transportation and the reduction of crime in their neighborhoods . . . all with a quality and safe home being the anchor.

Dream Dallas is a comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization. Tapping the resources of nearly 50 partner organizations like Dallas ISD, DART, Baylor Health Care System, Dallas Police Department and many more, Dallas Habitat can make sure that the community’s needs are addressed. The essential needs that Dream Dallas will focus on are:

• Reducing crime
• Encouraging access to public transportation
• Improving education
• Enhancing medical services
• Promoting development of retail services, like grocery stores and banks
• Partnering with existing community programs, like mentoring services

Lifetime Leaders Dream Dallas was a one-time giving society spearheaded by a group of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity champions, who joined together and offered a fundraising challenge to other Dallas Habitat supporters. Click here for more info.

Ryan, LLC. and Pioneer Natural Resources are true Champions for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, Champions for Dream Dallas and are two of Dallas Morning News Top Workplaces in 2012.