Brother Bill's Helping Hand (BBHH), a 70-year-old, not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the West Dallas community, broke ground on a new, expanded facility on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at 3906 N. Westmoreland. Once complete in December 2011, residents of the underserved area will have increased access to much-needed educational, health and other essential-to-life programs. Currently, more than 1,000 West Dallas households are enrolled in at least one BBHH program, which is now located on Odessa St.
"West Dallas has one of the highest poverty rates in the Metroplex with 39 percent of families living below the poverty line. That's more than double the overall poverty rate of Dallas," says Suzanne P. Griffin, BBHH executive director. "With our new center, we will be able to reach out to more of our neighbors, and extend our mission of helping people bring desired change to their lives."
The new facility will include:
- An expanded Community Clinic designed to create a medical home for adults in West Dallas
- A larger Food Pantry to allow the distribution of more food to West Dallas families
- An expanded Computer Lab to offer year-round classes
- A designated area for exercise and healthy living classes
In addition, the new building will be more centrally located -- close to the center of the ZIP code served and near one of the largest Dallas Housing Authority apartment complexes.
The project including the land cost, building costs and anticipated increased operating expenses for two years is being completely funded through donations. BBHH's fundraising goal of $3.2 million was met thanks to several key donors including: Baylor Health Care System, The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc., The Hillcrest Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, The Lupe Murchison Foundation, The Rees-Jones Foundation, Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation and many private citizens. One very special donor group was the neighborhood served by BBHH. Families all across West Dallas contributed $1, $5 and some even $10 totaling more than $2,000.
More About Brother Bill's Helping Hand:
Today BBHH brings hope in the form of education, health, and essentials of life programs. This ministry partners caring staff and volunteers with neighbors in need of nourishment of the mind, body, and soul. Staying accountable to their mission statement while using the needs of the community as a guideline, Brother Bill's Helping Hand strives to provide programs that meet immediate physical needs and offer hope for a better future.
With the help of the Board of Trustees, staff, and local Community Council, BBHH sets goals not just for the staff and volunteers, but also for the neighbors. Ambitious plans requiring determination and a community spirit align this ministry with the desires of the community and the mission of BBHH to enrich lives.
More About the Community BBHH Serves:
Brother Bill's Helping Hand brings not just a legacy of 70 years of service in West Dallas, but hope for a better life to the more than 25,000 people living in the 75212 zip code. It is surrounded by the Trinity River to the north, Interstate 30 to the south, downtown Dallas to the east, and Loop 12 (Walton Walker Freeway) to the west. West Dallas has been the forgotten community for many years. Most of the people in this neighborhood have lived their entire lives on the discarded, damaged products of our society. The demographics of West Dallas compared to the City of Dallas are staggering:
- Family poverty rate = 39% / City of Dallas = 14.9%
- Adults never having completed high school = 65% / City of Dallas = 30%
- Number of college graduates = 2% / City of Dallas = 28%
- Infant mortality rate = 23% / City of Dallas = 4.8%
- Households not owning at least one car = 25% / City of Dallas = 10%
- The average Pre-K child in West Dallas knows 1,500 to 2,000 words / His or her peer in more affluent communities in Dallas knows 5,000 to 7,000 words.
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform — MyBSWHealth. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,300 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com