Meet our 2021 Beneficiaries: Behind Every Door
Next up in our beneficiary introductions series, Behind Every Door, located in our hometown of Dallas, Texas!
From Behind Every Door…”We run community centers to change the way people see and feel poverty. We run intentional programming from our centers for all ages, from bingo events for seniors to after care for school-age children. Our biggest focus is our children and youth programming which takes place on weekdays after school, and focuses around what we call our four main pillars: education, exploration, expression and encounter. Often when people think of change in the context of urban poverty, they think of finding ways to leave or "get out" of the neighborhoods experiencing poverty. Because community centers exist within the communities they serve, they provide a chance to effect change IN the community. They allow us to be a present resource for the long-haul.”
Our friends at Behind Every Door do a remarkable job creating home-like environments that promote safety, stability and relationship in the community of South Dallas.
In 2019, BED purchased an incredible piece of property in the Cedar Crest neighborhood of South Dallas, previously owned by the Salvation Army. This property has incredible amenities, all in need of renovations. Historically, the South Dallas facility served as a hub for sports programming—including a football and baseball field. We have seen first-hand the transformative power of sports and programming in neglected parts of the city.
Kershaw’s Challenge is excited to stand next to BED to serve children and families through the ministry of sports. In 2021, Kershaw’s Challenge will continue to step out as the lead partner in the refurbishing of the fields and the inauguration of excellent sports programming.
We long to see this refurbished community center and field as a beacon of hope for the children and families of South Dallas. This will be our second of a three-year commitment to the revitalization of the sports complex at the new Behind Every Door facility in South Dallas.
And don’t miss what they have been up to this this past month:
Behind Every Door hosted a “Mother’s Month” where the BED kids honor their moms
Two of the BED kids completely finished Lexia, which is a reading program. This is HUGE! One of the children was the first 5th grader to finish on grade level.
Behind Every Door hosted an after school painting class, which is an amazing way to engage the students with the staff.
One of the Behind Every Door kids got his certification in Forklifting and is now found his way to economic sustainability!
One of the high school students was accepted into college which is amazing!!
Behind Every Door hosted a fun family game night!
Want to keep up to date with all that is going on at Behind Every Door? Follow along on Facebook or Instagram. We are so excited to join hands with this incredible organization again this year!