By Asia Nicole Alcorn and
Kendall Gayle Washington
Texas Metro News
DALLAS – As City and County officials grapple with the homelessness issue, the support that Austin Street Center continues to provide to homeless citizens of Dallas since 1983 has reached new heights with the opening of a new and larger state-of-the-art facility on Tuesday.
Now located at 2929 Hickory Street in Dallas, Austin Street provides its “guests” with a variety of opportunities while promoting personal growth, with housing and job opportunities, medical services and spiritual support.
At Austin Street’s Grand Opening on Thursday, June 16, longtime supporter Norm Hitzges received a walking stick engraved with the Ten Commandments, made by former Austin Street Center resident, Roosevelt Wilkerson
In addition to that walking stick, the team at Austin Street named the Engagement Center after Hitzges who has donated more than a million-dollars in support for the homeless community.
On Tuesday the Center opened the doors of its new 60,000-square-foot facility to the public and as early as 6 a.m., people experiencing homelessness began arriving at the Center, in search of a home. Coupled with Dallas lacking an affordable housing market and the rapidly increasing number of people moving to the area; the importance of the philanthropic community, and agencies like Austin Street Center, is even more significant.
As it provides safe shelter and basic needs to men, 45 and older, and women,18 and older. According to Teresa Thomas, Director of Advancement Communications, there were about 65% males and 35% females at the facility, with more than 51% identifying as African American.
She said Austin Street has a three-tier system, which demonstrates a client’s progress. Tier one is when a client first arrives and gets settled in. Tier two is when they start to receive job opportunities within Austin Street Center, in the kitchen and
other areas. Tier three is when a client is looking for housing, has a stable income and is almost ready to depart from the Center.
The residents of the Center are ecstatic about the new facility. They are especially excited about the new ice machine. Two of the clients, Freddie Anderson and Robert Wells, have both been staying at Austin Street for the past three months. After a lot of hard work and genuine growth, they have now reached Tier three and will be finding a home soon.
“I see how the volunteers come out, help and donate their time when they don’t have to, but they do every day,” Anderson said. “Austin Street has been very good to me.”
Wells said he is striving to be a good influence on his four daughters.
“Austin Street is a blessing. It’s really an answered prayer. My girls are motivated to do something other than the wrong thing,” Wells said.
Cameron Jenkins, a representative from The Intersection of Research & Practice, has worked with Austin Street clients seeking counsel since 2018.
“It’s the little things that make residents happy,” Jenkins said, adding that he believes the new location is a step in the “right direction.”
The Austin Street Center has implemented resources in the new facility to ensure its clients have a bright future. They will be hosting teaching, exercise and mental health sessions for their clients. Volunteers are always welcome, as well as clothing donations, hygiene products and food that is not expired.
Homelessness is a big issue across the country and especially in Dallas where according to a report released by the City of Dallas’ Office of Homeless Solutions, “of the 2,000 beds in Dallas Shelters, the majority are full every night.”
As Dallas prepares for several days of consistently triple digit days of sweltering heat, Austin Street is ensuring there will be fewer bodies on the streets, seeking respite from life-threatening heat related issues.
Asia Nicole Alcorn, Texas Metro News Multi-media journalist. Asia is a senior at the University of North Texas at Denton, studying Broadcast Journalism and Spanish.
Email: AsiaAlcorn@my.unt.edu
Twitter: AsiaAlcornTV
Kendall Gayle Washington, Texas Metro News Multi-media journalist. Kendall is a rising high school senior at Bishop Dunne Catholic School, with hopes to pursue journalism. In May she received her Associate of Art and Science Degree Other from Dallas College.
Email: kgaylewashington@gmail.com
Twitter: kkendallgayle
