3 minute read
Community Impact
AT A GLANCE: COMMUNITY CENTER IMPACT
A Family’s Testimonial
Gloria Walls is one of our closest
neighbors. She has lived in South Dallas since 1970 and on Panama, a quaint and quiet street located directly behind St. Philip’s campus, since 1984. “I raised my four boys here and four of my grandchildren,” she tells Lasheryl Walker, our Community Center Coordinator, on a recent sunny spring afternoon in her living room. “St. Philip’s has made a big impact on all of our lives.”
Hers is a three generational impact story. Walls used to play baseball for St. Philip’s in the 1960’s when it was just a small community center. “I remember the nuns! We’ve come
a long way since the ‘60’s when St. Philip’s was just a small church building and a gym. Wasn’t no brick back then. Just concrete.”
Her sons played sports for St. Philip’s when they were growing up, as well. “My son, Justin, won a lot of trophies with Coach Green.” Walls loved how that they were able to travel all over the country through the athletic program. Her grandsons – Dominique and Ben – continued the family tradition, playing basketball and football as St. Philip’s SAINTS. She’s quick to point out, however, that athletics isn’t the only aspect of the St. Philip’s ministry that’s positively touched the lives of her family.
They wanted to go to St. Philip’s – not just to play - but to get something to help make them successful. Dominique participated in Y.E.S., one of St. Philip’s college readiness programs for first generation college attendees. He also worked for Americorps at St. Philip’s for a couple years, saved his money, and went to college. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University and is now in the workforce. His brother Ben is holding a steady job.
“I’ve seen so much growth in all my grandkids,” Walls explains. “The Community Center is valuable to us. I have peace of mind
when they are there because I know they are in a safe place and getting some motivation.” Today, her granddaughters Shamya, a student at Madison High School, and Jahzura, a 4th grade student at MLK Learning Center, are active in several Community Center activities. They participate in after school care, the Girl’s Night Out mentoring program, our STEM summer camp, and more. Shamya even volunteers.
As a neighbor, grandmother, and senior citizen, Ms. Walls also receives Thanksgiving baskets from students from
the Episcopal School of Dallas every year. “I love to see those children coming!” she says. She appreciates the annual Christmas Store as there have been many times that she and her grandkids were close to not having Christmas at all. “I’d go over to St. Philip’s and shop for ALL my grandkids. That was truly a blessing.”
She begins to tear up as she talks about the Mother’s Day Store, a program that allows children from the immediate neighborhood to shop for gifts for the mothers and grandmothers in their lives. “It inspired me to see my four grandkids coming home with two and three gifts – for me! Sometimes I would just cry because they knew what I liked and they were beautiful gifts.”
Ms. Walls has also been an outspoken community member and is glad to witness how St. Philip’s has worked with concerned neighbors to bring about visible change to a once deteriorating community. She’s seen it all: an infestation of drugs and liquor stores, community apathy and blight, prostitution, and seedy motels. Back in the 80’s, Walls admits, she used to be ashamed to have family and friends visit her. “Regardless of where you come from, it looked bad over here.”
But it’s a new day in the community St. Philip’s chooses to call home! There’s been growth, development, and a weeding out of much of the nefarious activity that once plagued the area.
