2014 CitySquare Annual Report

2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
1

MISSION
To fight the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy, and friendship.
CORE VALUES
BRIEF HISTORY
OF
CITYSQUARE
We are a community of neighbors, investing in each
other and developing meaningful relationships that
value each individual.
Our work flows out of our faith, and that faith is
inclusive and ecumenical.
We stand for justice and demand equity for all our
neighbors.
Our resources belong to the community, and as
stewards of those resources, we will act with
integrity, demonstrate accountability, and operate
efficiently and effectively.
In 1988, businessman Jim Sowell was so moved
by his concern for the problems associated
with homelessness and poverty that he took
action by working with friends and church
members to launch the Central Dallas Food
Pantry. Since that time, CitySquare has grown
to be one of the largest, most effective social
services organizations in Texas, serving more
than 50,000 unduplicated neighbors each year
through 14 different programs.
2 CitySquare.org

IT’S MY CITY
When you have something that you love
and take pride in it’s easy to invest time,
money, and energy. It’s something you are
passionate about, care for, and want to see
become something even greater. That’s how
we feel about Dallas, because it’s our city—a
place we love and take pride in. That’s why
we’re willing to invest in our city and in our
neighbors.
Dallas, one of the richest cities in the
country, is also one of the poorest. A
tale of two cities. Every day, one in four
children goes to bed with an empty
stomach. Nearly 40% of Dallas residents
live in asset poverty. Ten percent of the
population survives on roughly $11,000
annually to support a family of four. These
numbers will only continue to rise unless
we intervene. The bottom line is this:
Dallas needs to stop the cycle of poverty
now. Together with our city, community
partners, and you, CitySquare is fighting
for those who have so little.
More than 50,000 neighbors benefited
from services provided by CitySquare this
year alone. These neighbors received food
when they were hungry, housing when
they were homeless, health care when
For our city,
Larry James
President and CEO
they were sick, and hope when there was
none. Unfortunately, the number of broken,
troubled, and weary neighbors in need
continues to grow.
At CitySquare, we love our neighbors.
We love our city. We are willing to invest
the time and money to make the lives of
our neighbors better and our city more
prosperous. Please join CitySquare in our
fight to combat poverty by making a gift
today. Let’s change the story of Dallas
from a tale of two cities to a city where
every individual has the opportunity to build
a bright future.
David Shipley
Chairman of the Board
P.S. Thanks to the success of last year’s challenge a generous donor has agreed to match your donation, up to $100,000, for any gift
received now through December 31 st . Please mail your gift today and know it will make twice the impact.
‘‘
That’s how we
feel about Dallas,
because it’s our
city—a place we
love and take
pride in. That’s
why we’re willing
to invest in our
city and in our
neighbors.
‘‘
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
POVERTY TASK FORCE
When Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings recognized
the need to draw attention to the causes and
effects of poverty, he knew who to call—Larry
James. With 239 Dallas officials, residents,
and activists on his side, Larry has conducted
focus groups and meetings to decide what the
most important issues are in the city of Dallas
and how they can be addressed. He presented
their findings to the city and has been working
closely with Mayor Rawlings and the task force
to do everything possible to decrease the rate
of poverty in our city.
PRAYER BREAKFAST
In an effort to conserve money and energy
for the grand opening of the Opportunity
Center, we made the decision to give friends
and supporters the morning off from our
traditional Prayer Breakfast event and,
instead, hosted Breakfast in Bed! CitySquare
sent bags of coffee to our friends and
supporters asking them to take time on the
morning of March 27 to consider making a gift
or offering good thoughts over their morning
coffee. The “event” raised more than $50,000.
VETERAN HOUSING
From April 2013 to present, CitySquare
partnered with local organizations to house
more than 600 veterans. Through the 100,000
Homes Campaign, CitySquare led the charge
to house as many veterans as possible. In all,
2,386 homeless veterans in Dallas now have a
place to call home.
THE CORNER
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
In September, the Queen of Soul, Aretha
Franklin, took the stage and brought the sold
out crowd to their feet. Accompanied by her
20-piece band, Aretha belted out legendary hits
like “RESPECT,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make
Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The event
brought in more than $850,000 in donations.
Once the land for the Opportunity Center had been purchased,
Larry knew he had to immerse himself and CitySquare in the
neighborhood. He wanted to ask the neighbors first-hand what they
needed. The Corner became a meeting place for staff, neighbors,
and volunteers to meet every Thursday afternoon for food and
fellowship. Whether it was cold water or coffee, hot meals or
hygiene packs, the neighbors became friends of CitySquare and
began having faith that we were there to help and provide pathways
out of poverty.
INNER CITY SUNDAY
Inner City Sunday came about in recognition
of our church partners’ vital role in the
ministry of CitySquare. Members of the
Executive Management team visited church
congregations during Sunday services to
share about our work with the poor and
give a sermon. These Sundays are a time
of celebration, thanksgiving, education,
and sacrifice. Our goal is to thank church
partners for supporting our work, provide
congregations with a greater sense of
ownership in CitySquare, and bring everyone
up-to-date on the amazing movement of God
among people in the city.
FOOD ON THE MOVE EXPANDS
While serving more than 1,000,000 meals to
children through our after-school and summer
programs is no small feat, CitySquare saw the
need to increase its Food on the Move efforts
to eradicate childhood hunger. In January, our
Food on the Move program expanded to Waco
to help eliminate the threat of hunger for
children through our after-school and summer
feeding program.
4 CitySquare.org

VOLUNTEERS
The work we do would not be nearly as
impactful without the servant hands of our
volunteers. Close to 2,000 volunteers spent
countless hours in 2014 working at the Thrift
Store, serving meals at Food on the Move and
CitySquare sites, collecting and distributing
socks and blankets for the homeless, and many
more tasks made possible by their support.
POVERTY SIMULATION
Over the summer, CitySquare conducted three
Poverty Simulations designed to immerse
participants in the hardships and sorrow
of life on the streets and living in poverty. It
became a powerful tool to educate youth,
college students, and adult participants about
the realities of living in poverty and how they
could join our fight. This is done by stripping
them of all belongings and spending 45 hours
in a shelter setting. Poverty Simulations will
resume in summer 2015.
HEART OF DALLAS BOWL
On New Year’s Day, CitySquare had the privilege
of being the beneficiary of the Heart of Dallas
Bowl where the University of North Texas
beat University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Players
came to CityWalk@Akard days before the
game to serve lunch, play football, and visit
with neighbors. After the game, CitySquare
was presented with a $50,000 check from
the Heart of Dallas Foundation to continue our
work in fighting poverty. This experience is
one CitySquare will never forget and we are
honored to partner with the Heart of Dallas for
the next seven years.
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW
AMERICORPS
CitySquare AmeriCorps staffs after-school
and summer enrichment programs for children
at 27 unique locations in Dallas, Houston, Austin
and San Antonio. Last year 188 AmeriCorps
members, with support from 12 partner nonprofits,
provided over 81,000 hours of service
to 4,468 children. This effort resulted in 95%
of kids showing an increase in their level of
academic engagement, which is a key predictor
for long term educational success. As a result
of this ongoing intervention, these children
have a better chance of breaking the cycle of
poverty.
THE COTTAGES AT HICKORY CROSSING
Construction is underway across the street from the Opportunity Center for the 50 cottages that will soon house the most expensive homeless
Dallas residents. The $8.2 million project, developed by CitySquare and a number of partnering organizations, will provide on-site mental and physician
healthcare and treatment. Each resident, who costs the county approximately $40,000 per year to live on the streets, will have his or her own
cottage and treatment for less than $15,000 a year. The Cottages at Hickory Crossing is set to open spring 2015.
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT
JANUARY
‘‘
CitySquare gave me hope
and direction to improve
my situation.
‘‘
No one knows a parent’s greatest fear more than
Tiffany January. She was a single mother who had lost
her job and was unable to feed her child. In a state of
desperation, she turned to the CitySquare Food Pantry
and Resource Center. After several regular visits, she
was put in touch with Krystal, a Case Manager for
Neighbor Support Services. Krystal gave her resources
for transitional housing, provided school clothing for
her son, and encouraged her to put together a resume.
“Having a total stranger care enough to listen to me pour
my heart out and help me make sense of and improve my
situation was very special to me,” Tiffany said.
When she had no food stamps, the Food Pantry
supplemented her groceries. Armed with an updated
resume and list of goals, Tiffany was able get a job and
put her life back on track. She was also given a voucher
to the CitySquare Thrift Store that allowed her to pick
out a bed for her son and provide clothing for the school
year ahead. “I would have had such a hard time making it
through that tough time in life,” Tiffany said. “CitySquare
gave me hope and direction to improve my situation.”
Tiffany is now happily married and working as a Fire and
Catastrophe Claims Associate at State Farm Insurance.
She attends online classes and is working towards her
degree in Paralegal Studies. She is using her experience
with CitySquare to help those in need. “Now that I am in a
better place, I try my best to help my friends and family
as much as possible,” Tiffany said. “It’s nice to become the
person people look to for support and help for a change.”
6 CitySquare.org

CITYSQUARE DENVER
BRANCHING OUT TO
The growing challenges facing the urban poor in Denver led the
organization, His Hands, to reach out to CitySquare.
Led by Johnny and Susie Davis, His Hands, a non-profit
organization in Denver, Colorado, has faithfully and
effectively served low-income and homeless neighbors
for over six years. The growth of His Hands, as well as the
growing challenges facing the urban poor in Denver, led the
organization to reach out to CitySquare for assistance in
expanding its historic work of faith-based compassion.
CitySquare gladly accepted the invitation to join the fight
against poverty in Denver.
This past summer, CitySquare launched a new effort in the
”Mile High City” by bringing its nationally recognized Food on
the Move initiative to hundreds of Denver children who face
hunger and food insecurity daily during the summer break
from school. In addition to the summer meal program,
the food pantry the Davis’ had been operating provided
food to almost 3,000 people—25% of whom are homeless.
Since CitySquare has been involved, a new partnership has
grown with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to increase services to homeless veterans by hosting a VA
Case Manager on site. In order to maximize the impact of
EVEN MORE
this expansion and to further fundraising efforts overall,
CitySquare also brought its exclusive brand identity to the
work going forward. Part of the work of establishing the
new identity in Denver will be accomplished by the use of
the new name, CitySquare Denver.
CitySquare continues to employ the existing His Hands
staff and, over time, will add staff to support new efforts
and strengthen ongoing work in Denver. CitySquare will
assume responsibilities for operations of the entire effort.
Dallas-based team members will be involved in the Denver
operations on an ongoing basis to ensure the success of
the new effort.
CitySquare is honored to join the work in Denver. The entire
CitySquare family has great admiration for the history,
work, service, and commitment of His Hands. As a team,
CitySquare looks forward to working closely with each
individual and organization that has been supportive of His
Hands in the past, including, first and foremost, supporters
in the faith community of the Denver area and beyond.
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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OPPORTUNITY CENTER
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER
Per Scholas is a national nonprofit organization offering free, high
quality technology education, job training, placement and career
development opportunities to people in underserved communities.
Since 1998, more than 4,500 un- and underemployed adults (18+ years
old) have enrolled in its job training programs.
OPPORTUNITY CENTER : IT’S OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Opportunity Center has officially opened its doors and is providing services for neighbors daily.
Community partners have also moved in and are assisting CitySquare in bringing neighbors as
many opportunities as possible to escape the grip of poverty.
Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas
is a local organization mandated to
implement a system of services that
complement economic development
as a resource for employers to
access the quality employees they
need and training individuals to be
successfully employed.
The ribbon cutting and opening ceremony
for the Opportunity Center on Thursday,
November 6, 2014.
Founded in 1961 in response to the
concern over the illiteracy rate
among adults in the Dallas area,
LIFT has served more than 5,000
learners. Adults are invited to LIFT
to learn how to read, gain English
language skills, take GED prep
courses, and provide a focus on
family literacy.
8 CitySquare.org

OPPORTUNITY CENTER
FOOD PANTRY
Three times larger than the previous food pantry, our neighbors will be
able to shop for healthy foods including fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy
products.
AMERICORPS
The Opportunity Center will serve as the home base for AmeriCorps
and Food on the Move. This space will serve as a training facility for
AmeriCorps members and provide an expansive office space for them to
grow their after-school and summer programs.
COURTYARD
A gathering place where staff and neighbors
can come together to talk, relax, and take
breaks between appointments and classes.
HOMER J. FOX CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
Case management, financial training in the Bank of America Learning
Center, and job preparation classes through WorkPaths are just a few of
the opportunities available for neighbors in the Homer J. Fox Center for
Financial Empowerment.
WELLNESS CENTER
A health hub where neighbors can take healthy cooking classes, meet
with an on-site registered nurse, and learn exercises from instructors
who will teach them ways to stay healthy.
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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EXPENSES
WHERE DOES THE GO
6% General Administration
?
8
%
86
%
Fundraising
Programs
...in the fight against poverty and encourage you to invest
in your city. Please make a monetary gift in the envelope provided or online at www.CitySquare.org.
For corporate and planned giving, or to donate stocks or real estate, please contact our Chief
Development Officer, Shawn Wills, at 214.303.2147.
10 CitySquare.org

REVENUE
Public Funds 53%
CitySquare serves more
than 50,000 unduplicated
neighbors each year through
its 14 programs. That work
would not be possible without
the $12 million it takes to
keep the doors open for
neighbors.
Sales 4%
Fees/Other 4%
Churches 3%
WHERE DOES THE
COME FROM?
United Way 4%
Individuals 6%
Special Events 7%
Corporations 2%
Foundations 16%
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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CITYSQUARE’S FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE
795
neighbors were
referred to CitySquare
by a community
partner.
%
87.8
of neighbors (who had their
income assessed) showed
an increase in their income
after receiving services
from CitySquare.
4,828
patients visited
the clinic.
More than
1,000,000
summer and after-school meals
were served to children and youth
by Food on the Move in Dallas,
Austin, Houston and Waco.
1,044
children (from newborn
to 17) were seen at the
clinic.
$14,316,357
awarded to LAW clients to help them move
beyond poverty. This includes child and
spousal support.
More than
1,000,000
pounds of food were
distributed by the Food
Pantry.
Nearly
500
neighbors received
housing.
806
youth benefited
from TRAC services.
12 CitySquare.org

CITYSQUARE’S FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE
• There were more than 55,000 visits to the Food Pantry.
• Over 7,000 kids benefited from food at the Food Pantry.
• Food on the Move served more than 1,000,000 summer and afterschool
meals to more than 20,000 children and youth in Dallas,
Austin, Houston and Waco.
• Each CityWalk@Akard neighbor received at least 20 visits with Community
Life staff.
• At least one veteran was permanently housed each month.
• Nearly 500 neighbors recieved housing.
• 2,189 unduplicated patients seen at the clinic.
• 882 chronic illness education visits to the clinic.
• 4,740 prescriptions filled for neighbors.
• Each TRAC youth was contacted by a staff person at least once a week.
• Nearly 300 youth gained employment or continued their education.
• Nearly 300 neighbors enrolled in a WorkPaths program.
• 53 participants placed in employment.
• 26 enrolled in additional training/education.
At-Risk Youth Working Poor Homeless
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT
CitySquare board member Kevin Thomason and his wife
Kay don’t just support CitySquare, they live and breathe it.
Since finding CitySquare in the late 1990’s, the Thomason’s
have volunteered, donated money, and shared the work of
CitySquare. “When it comes to your actual engagement
or the use of your funds, CitySquare handles both most
efficiently,” Kevin said.
Not only do the Thomasons whole-heartedly support
CitySquare, they live in the same building. The couple
purchased a condominium at CityWalk@Akard and
recently moved into their newly renovated space. “What I
love about living here is we have met a lot of the people,”
said Kay, who serves as the building representative at the
Downtown Residents Council. “Until you get to know people
you don’t really know what they are going through or you
don’t appreciate what a great person they are.” When
the time came for Kevin to leave his partner position at a
large firm and start his own law practice, he rented office
space at CityWalk@Akard. “It has allowed me to do organic
pro-bono work,” Kevin said. “I feel like I get a chance to
hear about, weigh in, and help with many of the things
CitySquare is doing—it is a blessing I wish other people
could experience.”
What Kevin and Kay love most about living and working
at CityWalk@Akard is the relationships and sense of
community they have developed with their neighbors.
“This is more of a neighborhood and a community than
anywhere else I’ve lived,” Kay said. “One of our favorite
parts of the day is when we come in from the gym in the
morning and the kids are downstairs getting ready to leave
for school,” Kay explained. “We get to encourage them and
witness the fact that they have a better chance because
of this building and the relationships they have with their
neighbors.”
The fellowship with neighbors and the 12 floor commute to
work are perks of the Thomasons’ life at CityWalk@Akard,
but knowing they are working hand in hand with staff who
believe in our city is something Kevin says cannot be beat.
“The staff is here with all of the joys and heartache; there
is more failure than success in what they do in this world,”
Kevin said. “The staff, the people who devote their entire
lives to this work, are heroes.”
‘‘
...I came to the conclusion that if Jesus were
in Dallas, Texas, he’d be at CitySquare.
He would be here trying to help people.
-Kevin Thomason
‘‘
THOMASON
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OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
Donate food by contacting our Food Pantry and Resource Center at 214.828.2696.
Donate clothes, housewares, vehicles, and other goods by contacting our Thrift Store at 214.887.8800.
Take advantage of volunteer opportunities and serve our neighbors firsthand by contacting us
at volunteer@CitySquare.org.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
To schedule a tour or learn how your gifts are being invested, please contact us at dev@CitySquare.org.
Facebook
@CitySquare
Twitter
@CitySq
Instagram
@CitySq
YouTube
www.youtube.com/CitySq
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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A DAY AT THE SQUARE
Take a look at a typical day-in-the-life at CitySquare.
Our Food Pantry
crew heads to
the North Texas
Food Bank to
pick up food for
the week.
A nurse at the
clinic administers
the 220 th flu shot
of the month.
A CitySquare AmeriCorps
member arrives at
Trinity River Mission and
prepares for the group
of 2nd graders who are
anxious to get help with
their homework and
engage in enrichment
activities during the vital
after school hours.
6 : 00 AM 11:30 AM
2:33 PM
9:17 AM 12:45 PM 3:19 PM
A Neighbor Support
Services Case
Manager sees
her first neighbor.
She’s helping her
prepare for a job
interview in a few
short hours.
A Life Coach calls
Stephanie, a TRAC
youth, to wish her a
happy 20 th birthday.
She says it’s the
only call she’s
received that day.
A Thrift Store
driver takes the
truck to pick up all
remaining items
from an estate
sale that ended at
noon.
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4 : 40 PM
An attorney from our
LAW center leaves court
with a neighbor who
has been awarded child
support for her three
kids for the first time
since her husband left
her a year and a half
ago.
Food on the Move
delivers supper to
Jubilee Center for
180 at-risk youth.
5:10 PM
6:40 PM
A Destination Home
neighbor returns
home after a long
day of work. It’s the
eighth month with a
roof over her head
to call her own.
CityWalk@Akard
neighbors come
together in the
Robert Emerson Glaze
Community Room to
watch the Steelers
battle the Titans during
Monday Night Football.
A DAY
AT THE
7:32 PM
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
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BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
ALEXANDER HOWARD
For Tonia Alexander Howard, serving on the board since 2006 means
more than being a figurehead or decision maker.
She was introduced to CitySquare by a friend who worked as a Director
of CitySquare’s afterschool program. As an elementary school principal,
Tonia was able to guide the teachers and help develop strategies for
them to better manage their classes. “The CitySquare staff is smart,
they have a good spirit and do such good work,” Tonia said. “I love that
people from all walks of life have an ability to be part of such important
work in our city.”
Tonia has also volunteered at CitySquare events, program sites,
and been encouraged by the relationships she has made with staff
and neighbors. “This summer, I volunteered to serve lunches at the
Opportunity Center,” Tonia explained. “Even the folks who were there to
receive a lunch started pitching in and helping set up to get ready for
serving—it affirmed that everyone has the ability to give, and it doesn’t
have to be just one way.”
‘‘
...Everyone has the ability to give, and
it doesn’t have to be just one way.
‘‘
She believes it is her job to introduce as many people to CitySquare as
she can. When sharing about the work of CitySquare with her family and
friends, she explains that she is so passionate about being a part of the
organization. “We are all one paycheck, one crisis, one economic crisis
away from being a neighbor,” Tonia said. “If it happened to me, I would be
grateful for organizations like CitySquare.”
Tonia and her husband Mark are foster parents to two young girls who
they feel blessed to have in their lives. She enjoys taking cooking classes
and spending time with family and friends.
18 CitySquare.org

CITYSQUARE
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Bob Biard
Robin Blakeley
Leslie Choice
Stephen Cockerham
Scott T. Collier
Fred J. Halfpap
Wilton J. Hollins
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Dave Shipley, Board Chair
Jon S. Halbert, Vice Chair
Stan Shipley, Secretary
BOARD MEMBERS
Tonia Alexander Howard
Guwan L. Jones
Valerie Keener
Schuyler Marshall
Butch McCaslin
Wendy Messmann
Glenn Owen
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT 2014
Larry James
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. John Siburt
Chief Operating Officer
Shawn Wills
Chief Development Officer
Lee Winton
Chief Financial Officer
Heather E. Roberts
Tarik Rodgers
Craig Spaulding
Kevin Thomason
Mindy Ward-Logsdon
Jim Sowell, Chairman Emeritus
John R. Castle, Emeritus Member
Lee Winton, John Siburt, Shawn Wills, Larry James
2014 Annual Report | It’s My City
19

20 CitySquare.org