According to Marissa Castro Micoy, president and CEO of Jubilee Park and Community Center,
“In the heart of Southeast Dallas lies Jubilee Park, where for many of its residents, one line of their address – their zip code – can dramatically change the course of their lives. Historically underserved, this 62-block neighborhood is cut off from resources by physical barriers like I-30 and lacks infrastructure, meaning residents face daily challenges like choosing between paying for groceries, a critical medical bill or repairing a broken roof.
“Founded in 1997 to create a safe place for children and families, Jubilee Park and Community Center works every day to listen to the needs of our neighbors and connect them to the personalized resources and programs they need to thrive, achieve overall health, improve quality of life, and rewrite their futures. Whether it’s providing home repairs to improve health and safety, providing healthy groceries and vegetables through the Jubilee Food Pantry to fight food insecurity, implementing ESL and citizenship courses for career advancement, running quality after-school programs on three campuses, or providing accessible, affordable health care, we create lasting change by integrating our strategies and programs with the ever-changing needs of our community.”
“For more than a decade, Texas Community Foundation’s North Texas Giving Day has helped Jubilee Park meet a critical need in southeast Dallas. It has allowed our team to address immediate concerns as well as plan for long-term change, providing a sense of belonging and family for both individuals and multi-generational families.”
“In 2023 alone, more than $70,000 donated on North Texas Giving Day has enabled Jubilee Park to impact more than 3,000 of our neighbors (a 20% increase from 2022) and introduce 30 new programs for the community. These generous donations have changed people’s lives in so many ways – families saved an average of $2,146 per child enrolled in our summer school program, Jubilee Park Community Clinic provided access to timely and affordable care for 1,723 patients, saw 102 mental health patients, served 28,189 meals to seniors, and many other benefits.
“To us, these numbers are more than just statistics – they are stories of kids learning in and out of the classroom, exploring new hobbies and playing sports with their classmates; families learning to cook and eating healthier foods; improved mental health and longer lifespans thanks to access to prevention and care; and seniors finding comfort and friendship away from the threat of social isolation.”
“Occasions like North Texas Giving Day raise awareness and funds to make Jubilee Park more than just a park, neighborhood and community center — it’s a community that fosters hope and life change. This year, we hope you’ll join us as we stay true to our mission of being a catalyst for holistic community revitalization and enrichment, building a brighter future for 62 Blocks and our city.”
*Graphics/photos courtesy of Jubilee Park and Community Centre
Texas Community Foundation’s North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $566 million into North Texas communities in 15 years. In 2023, more than $63.9 million was raised through 97,000 donors to benefit 3,249 local nonprofits.
Click here to spread the word and support Jubilee Park and Community Center on Thursday, September 19th. #NorthTexasGivingDay2024
