Community Impact

AT A GLANCE: COMMUNITY CENTER IMPACT

FedListens at St. Philip’s

On February 25th, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas held its inaugural community listening session in southern Dallas – FedListens – at St. Philip’s School and Community Center. Sr. Vice President, Alfreda Norman spearheaded the event that included presentations from various representatives from South Dallas organizations and initiatives such as Miles of Freedom, The Senior Source, Cornerstone Baptist Church, North Texas Food Bank, On the Road Lending, and Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center. President and CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Robert Kaplan, and Richard H. Clarida, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors, were present to listen and respond to questions and issues raised during the session. According to Ms. Norman, the purpose of FedListens is to learn how the Fed can collaborate more with the community. “We have a goal of being a leading citizen in the communities we serve,” shared Kaplan. “We want to help provide better access to financial services, college readiness, and education. We don’t have inclusive prosperity in our city. We are ready to move beyond numbers and statistics.”

St. Philip’s very own George T. Lee Jr. Principal, Kellee Murrell, presented. She spoke of the critical need for intentional educational investment in South Dallas schools – public, private, and charter. “What will become of these lost Einsteins if we don’t adequately support them?”, she asked. “We must show empathy, not pity to children in under-resourced schools and communities.”

Tahvia Merrill with Miles of Freedom shared that the South Dallas community has remained resilient despite adversity. She posed a powerful question to the Fed, asking how South Dallas might transition from a community that is surviving to one that is thriving. “South Dallas is full of proud, working people. They are demanding a voice at the table,” she said. Through expanded, strategic collaborations with the Fed and other southern sector organizations, St. Philip’s hopes to continue to be a part of the equation in helping to ensure South Dallas truly thrives for generations to come.

"We are ready to move beyond numbers and statistics.”

Girl’s Night Out

For over twenty years, the St. Philip’s School and Community Center’s Girls Night Out Mentoring Program has impacted the lives of hundreds of First Grade through High School age girls. The program exposes young girls to people, places, and activities that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. “I believe exposure is the big piece for children that live in underserved communities,” said Director of Community Outreach LaSheryl Walker. “It only takes one new experience to make a difference in the life of a child.”

With the help of volunteers from the Junior League of Dallas, who organize and plan activities, program participants are exposed to professional women from all walks of life. The girls also form relationships with each other that will last a lifetime. “I love being around the girls and Ms. Walker, and meeting new people.” said 11-yearold Jatora. Another participant named Joy especially enjoys the camaraderie. “My mom told me about the program four years ago, and after attending I really liked the girls, and it’s always fun.”

The monthly meetings are something the girls like 5th grader, Semaj, look forward to. “The environment is great and Ms. Walker encourages us to think big.” For more information about Girls Night Out, please contact LaSheryl Walker at lwalker@stphilips.com.

Senior Prom and Mother’s Day Store

The annual Senior (Citizen) Prom and Mother’s Day Store continue to be two highlights of the Community Center’s spring activities. Many thanks to the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and Trinity Park Conservancy for their generous support of the Mother’s Day Store and the Cachet Youth Group for sponsoring the prom.

Coming Together to Clean Up the Community

Community Center Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Thornton

We are still raving about the results of the “Beautify the Block” community clean-up held on Sunday, April 28th! This collaborative effort between St. Philip’s, Victory Baptist Church of Dallas, and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, allowed 170 dedicated volunteers to assist in cleaning up lawns for 15 + South Dallas neighbors and to remove litter and overgrown brush from several vacant lots and alleys in the immediate neighborhood. New patio benches and cushions were installed for 21 seniors living in the ElderFriendly Housing complex located a few blocks from St. Philip’s campus. A huge thank you to all the volunteers and a special thanks to the following organizations and businesses for making this vital volunteer day possible: Action Metals, City of

Dallas Hand Tools Program, Gold Auto Parts, Home Depot, Lowe’s, PPG Paints, Preston Hollow Catering, Raising Cane’s Chicken, Ruibal’s Plants of Texas, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Say

Landscaping, Tom Thumb, and Victory Baptist Church.

Twenty-three-year-old Michelle Thornton is proof of the unique strength of the St. Philip’s model being both a School AND Community Center. A Community Center alum and former St. Philip’s student, Michelle is also the embodiment of the infamous line from the St. Philip’s Creed, “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” Although she attended St. Philip’s from Pre-K to 6th grade, it was her involvement with the Community Center that ignited her passion for serving others. Michelle currently splits her time between teaching English to 9th grade students at H. Grady Spruce High School, working for AmeriCorps, and volunteering at St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

“My involvement with the Community Center allowed me to see that there is a need for mentors that young people can relate to.” “While volunteering, I began to realize that there was so much more I could do for my community,” she explains. “My involvement with the Community Center allowed me to see that there is a need for mentors that young people can relate to.” Moving forward, Michelle plans to use her skills as a teacher, videographer, and artist to develop programs for youth that focus on creativity.

Transforming the world by Faith, Education and Service.

Now Accepting Applications for 2019-2020 www.stphilips1600.org/admissions

save the date

BENEFITTING & Hosted by

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The Kidpreneur Expo is a St. Philip’s School & Community Center initiative highlighting an increased focus on helping young entrepreneurs ages 6-16 in the Dallas/Fort Worth community start and succeed in creating small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures. The mission of the expo is to help students embrace their passion, funnel their creative energy, and gain profitability around their talents and gifts with entrepreneurship and achieve independent success.