At Catholic Charities Dallas, we know from experience that even the smallest act of true generosity can change a life. Our clients’ incredible stories are proof of the impact generosity has on the lives of individuals, families, and our entire community.
Yessenia and Emiliano are more confident communicators after participating in Together We Learn.
Mother and son thrive in Together We Learn
Yessenia, wife and mother of two children, moved from Mexico City to Dallas with her family three and a half years ago. After moving, she noticed that her eldest son Emiliano, at three and a half years old, needed help with his language and social skills.
While searching for a program that would fit his needs, Yessenia found Catholic Charities Dallas’ Together We’re Better (TWB) program.
Interested in a program that would help Emiliano with his language and social development, Yessenia was referred to Together We Learn (TWL) in east Dallas by TWB, and in August of 2023, she enrolled Emilio and herself.
Prior to entering TWL, Emiliano was shy, spoke only a few words, had a difficult time communicating his needs, and often became frustrated when he wasn’t understood. Yessenia felt he lacked confidence because of his language and speech delay, and, as a result, he didn’t socialize well with other children. Yessenia said, “As a mom, I was worried; I thought it was something bigger.”
Aside from wanting to help her son, Yessenia also wanted to attend classes to improve her own English skills. She stated, “I was looking for a place that was close to where we live, a program that Emiliano and I could attend together.”
Yessenia was excited to learn that TWL offers ESL classes in the east Dallas area.
Since joining the program, Yessenia has seen changes in Emiliano. He can now verbalize his needs without getting frustrated, and most importantly, he has gained more confidence and independence.
Yessenia feels their communication has improved because he listens and understands what she is saying. Through our screenings, she has learned that he still needs speech therapy, but his language is much better than when he began taking classes.
In addition to gaining communication skills, Emilio is learning to form and maintain healthy relationships with his peers. Yessenia feels he will be ready for Pre-K next year because of TWL.
Yessenia reports feeling more confident when she speaks English, and she says people understand her much better. She can read a book in English with Emiliano and understand what she has read to him. Yessenia stated, “This is a great program. It is helping me feel better about myself. I’m improving emotionally too”.
For more information about Together We Learn, please click here.
Chloe and Zoe officially joined the Walker family in April of 2024.
Sisters find family through Finally Home program
Unable to conceive biological children, Laura and Kevin Walker turned to the Catholic Charities Dallas Adoption Program in 2022 to expand their family. After connecting with CCD, the Walkers decided the best way for them to expand their family was through CCD’s Finally Home program, which matches families with children in the foster care system to help them find their forever homes.
After applying to the Finally Home program and receiving their approval, the Walkers waited several months before finally being matched with two beautiful girls. In October of 2023, Laura and Kevin welcomed Chloe and Zoe, ages ten and eleven, into their home.
Upon arriving at the Walker home, the girls were immediately busy with exciting new experiences. During the fall of 2023, the girls began attending a new school and a new church and met lots of new family members and friends. In April of 2024, Chloe and Zoe were baptized into the Catholic faith.
After spending six months in the Walker family home, the girls were formally adopted on April 26, 2024, and the family was finally complete.
The Walkers are excited about the growth of their family and are immensely enjoying every minute of raising their two soon-to-be teenage daughters.
CCD is looking for more families to adopt through our Finally Home program. For more information, please click here.
Transportation services at the Brady Center allow seniors like Raul to enjoy community.
Senior finds empowerment and freedom at the Brady Senior Center
At eighty-one years old, Raul faced many challenges navigating Dallas' community resources as a senior citizen. With minimal exposure to technology, he faced added barriers to accessing public assistance, especially public transportation.
However, thanks to a friend from his transitional living center, Raul was connected to Catholic Charities Dallas and joined the Brady Senior Center.
Upon arriving at the center, Raul expressed his difficulties in leaving home to explore the opportunities in the community. Having suffered from a partial foot amputation, Raul has mobility challenges, and visiting community centers can be challenging.
After learning Raul's story, Brady enrolled him in transportation services so that he could begin accessing the on-site clinic, case management, and dietician-approved meals. Additionally, Raul's case manager helped him apply for the DART Paratransit program, where he gained access to door-to-door transportation services for individuals living with disabilities.
Through these services, the Brady Senior Center has empowered Raul to access nutritious daily meals and utilize public transportation to attend his much-needed doctor's appointments. Raul is excited about his newfound freedom and is eager to begin exploring community activities.
The Brady Center is open to adults ages 60 and up. Transportation to the center is available to members living within a five-mile radius. For more information, please click here or call 214-826-8335.
Each resident has their own apartment with a kitchen, living area, bedroom, and closet.
St. Jude Vantage Point now housing residents
Our third St. Jude Center, St. Jude Vantage Point, is now housing 18 residents! When it is fully complete, the center will be able to house 136 residents ages 18 and older.
As we welcome our first residents, we are seeking volunteers and donors to help us by providing supplies for each apartment.
For a list of supplies and more information about getting involved, please visit our in-kind donation page by clicking here.
On the horizon
CCD’s fourth community for the formerly homeless will be known as St. Jude Center – Oak Cliff.
CHI and CCD partner on fourth community for chronically homeless
At its June 26 meeting, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved a plan to transfer a City-owned hotel to Catholic Charities Dallas and provide funding for partial renovation of the property, which will be known as St. Jude Center – Oak Cliff.
CCD, which is a member of the Catholic Housing Initiative (CHI), will secure or contribute the remaining funds for renovations, oversee the construction, and operate the property as permanent supportive housing for formerly chronically homeless adults for at least 20 years from opening.
The hotel, formerly known as the Miramar, was acquired by the city to increase the supply of permanent supportive housing. Construction is anticipated to be ongoing throughout 2025, with the property opening to residents in early 2026.
St. Jude Center-Oak Cliff will serve approximately 70 formerly homeless adults. Residents will be selected from the coordinated access system maintained by Housing Forward with a preference for veterans, the disabled, and seniors.
“We are honored to partner with Catholic Housing Initiative, the City of Dallas, and other nonprofit organizations on this fourth St. Jude community,” said our CEO Dave Woodyard. “Providing compassionate, holistic, and supportive care has proven effective in not only housing the homeless, but, more important, in creating pathways for stability and independence for those who are so often forgotten or overlooked in our community.”
Charitable Reach: A Monthly Spotlight
Please join us!
Breakfast with the Bishop | October 3, 2024
7:30-9:00 a.m. | St. Paul the Apostle (900 Saint Paul Dr, Richardson, TX 75080)
- A morning of fellowship and inspiration hosted by the Archangels Men’s Network
- Breakfast, socialization, and remarks from Bishop Edward J. Burns and CCD leadership
- Featuring guest speaker, Jonathan J. Sanford, President of the University of Dallas
- All proceeds benefit Hunger Services
- For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here
Hope for the Holidays | November 7, 2024
6:00-9:00 p.m. | Jackson Walker Dallas
- A festive evening in support of Catholic Charities Dallas’ Christmas Distribution Program
- Socialize, participate in an incredible raffle, and browse holiday goods from local vendors
- All proceeds help provide Christmas gifts to children in need
27th Annual Bishop’s Gala | January 25, 2025
6:00-11:00 p.m. | The Omni Dallas Hotel
- Catholic Charities Dallas’ annual fundraiser, benefitting the eleven service groups and over 39 programs of CCD
- Enjoy dinner, auctions, and dancing to live entertainment
- Featuring a live performance by The Beach Boys
- Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities available
- For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here
When we see Christ in our brothers and sisters in need, this is where the power of generosity begins. We recall the words of Christ,
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
At Catholic Charities Dallas, we witness the life-changing power of generosity every day. The contagious excitement of a young refugee family as they receive items that transform their new house into a home. The smile on the face of a child as they learn to read alongside their parents. The relief in the eyes of a person who no longer needs to worry about what they will eat that day. Although it looks a bit different each time, the impact of generosity is undeniably present in every one of these lives. We hope these stories of the transformative power of generosity within our community resonate with you and encourage you to join us in serving, educating, and empowering all those in need. Your generosity is what makes our work possible!
