In the sunlight I can see
No longer fingerprints that belong to me
Now only the smoothness of my skin
Like dreams long since vanished in the wind.
The sunlight reveals my dreams - so clear
It’s that moment I should not fear
To understand the trueness of my being
I must accept the sadness of my seeing.
What though is sadness, if not regrets
If only somehow I could pay back all of my debts
Then most assuredly I would see
What the sunlight is revealing to me.
C.N. Lemmon
January 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Affordability
[This essay is based on part of an introductory talk that I gave at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Earthday program this year.]
In some sense anything that sells has to be affordable to someone, otherwise it wouldn’t sell. But when we talk of affordable housing, then we are usually talking about what is affordable to someone of lower or middle income. The rule of thumb is that housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of your yearly gross income, including utilities, upkeep, taxes, insurance and mortgage or rent payments.
That 30% number can change, especially as your income grows. If you have a little money, then you have more choices. You can choose to eat out (more), buy a fancier car, send your children to private school—or buy more house. The less income that you have, then the fewer choices are available to you.
In Dallas 63% of residents make less than $50,000 (All the statistics here are for time periods from 2006 to 2008, the latest I could find, but there isn’t much reason to think the numbers have changed significantly.). If your income is $50,000 per year, then the most expensive home you could normally afford would cost about $120,000.
Only 10% of the homes in Dallas sell for $120,000 or less.
The gap between what people can afford and what a home costs probably explains why only 42% of Dallas residents are homeowners, 25% less than the national average.
Those statistics only begin to tell the story. Another 35% of Dallas residents could not afford to buy a home that costs more than $75,000. Out of all of Dallas’s housing in the southern sector, 42% is substandard and most of those homes are the cheapest—no surprise there.
Building a new three bedroom, two bath house costs a minimum of about $120,000. Community development corporations like Central Dallas CDC knows that it takes a minimum amount of about $30,000 to make those homes affordable to most families. The City of Dallas has about 400,000 households. If we wanted to reach the national average for homeownership, then we would have to help another 100,000 Dallas families become homeowners. At 30,000 in subsidy per home that would cost roughly $3,000,000,000--$3 billion just to get to the national average.
You can probably guess that that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Even in their wildest dreams, community housing organizations have never thought about asking for more than $30 million in city funding, that isn’t likely to happen, and even if it did, and the population didn’t increase, then it would still take 100 years for Dallas to get to the national average for homeownership.
What do all these numbers mean? In the short term they mean that Dallas will remain a city with a very high proportion, probably a majority, of renters. That’s not such a bad thing and we’ll talk about why in another essay.
In some sense anything that sells has to be affordable to someone, otherwise it wouldn’t sell. But when we talk of affordable housing, then we are usually talking about what is affordable to someone of lower or middle income. The rule of thumb is that housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of your yearly gross income, including utilities, upkeep, taxes, insurance and mortgage or rent payments.
That 30% number can change, especially as your income grows. If you have a little money, then you have more choices. You can choose to eat out (more), buy a fancier car, send your children to private school—or buy more house. The less income that you have, then the fewer choices are available to you.
In Dallas 63% of residents make less than $50,000 (All the statistics here are for time periods from 2006 to 2008, the latest I could find, but there isn’t much reason to think the numbers have changed significantly.). If your income is $50,000 per year, then the most expensive home you could normally afford would cost about $120,000.
Only 10% of the homes in Dallas sell for $120,000 or less.
The gap between what people can afford and what a home costs probably explains why only 42% of Dallas residents are homeowners, 25% less than the national average.
Those statistics only begin to tell the story. Another 35% of Dallas residents could not afford to buy a home that costs more than $75,000. Out of all of Dallas’s housing in the southern sector, 42% is substandard and most of those homes are the cheapest—no surprise there.
Building a new three bedroom, two bath house costs a minimum of about $120,000. Community development corporations like Central Dallas CDC knows that it takes a minimum amount of about $30,000 to make those homes affordable to most families. The City of Dallas has about 400,000 households. If we wanted to reach the national average for homeownership, then we would have to help another 100,000 Dallas families become homeowners. At 30,000 in subsidy per home that would cost roughly $3,000,000,000--$3 billion just to get to the national average.
You can probably guess that that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Even in their wildest dreams, community housing organizations have never thought about asking for more than $30 million in city funding, that isn’t likely to happen, and even if it did, and the population didn’t increase, then it would still take 100 years for Dallas to get to the national average for homeownership.
What do all these numbers mean? In the short term they mean that Dallas will remain a city with a very high proportion, probably a majority, of renters. That’s not such a bad thing and we’ll talk about why in another essay.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Red, Red Rose
by Robert Burns
O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My Weekend
By Nick Sowell
This past weekend was a busy weekend. I spent a good deal of time moving the rest of my things into my new apartment in Uptown - really, people should only have to ever move once in their lives. Also, I had a dinner for my good friend’s wedding, and I house sat for my brother since he was trapped in Paris due to the volcano.
I got to see my sister this weekend; she is a freshman at the University of Texas. It was great seeing her. We all had dinner as a family, even though there were a few family members missing.
I am so happy there are Big Reds in the coke machine at work, seriously great.
Overall, rested and ready to battle another week.
This past weekend was a busy weekend. I spent a good deal of time moving the rest of my things into my new apartment in Uptown - really, people should only have to ever move once in their lives. Also, I had a dinner for my good friend’s wedding, and I house sat for my brother since he was trapped in Paris due to the volcano.
I got to see my sister this weekend; she is a freshman at the University of Texas. It was great seeing her. We all had dinner as a family, even though there were a few family members missing.
I am so happy there are Big Reds in the coke machine at work, seriously great.
Overall, rested and ready to battle another week.
Monday, April 26, 2010
When You Are Old
by W. B. Yeats
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
CityWalk Movie Night a success!
We had our first Movie Night on Friday, April 23 in the third floor community room at CityWalk. The featured film was Evan Almighty and the theme was family fun. Residents, along with their children, enjoyed nachos and popcorn and a really funny movie.
Here are some of the photos from the event:
Here are some of the photos from the event:
Residents Sharon Tillis and Bobby Warren
William Ferguson and Joseph Gant
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sea Shell
by Amy Lowell
Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing me a song, O Please!
A song of ships, and sailor men,
And parrots, and tropical trees,
Of islands lost in the Spanish Main
Which no man ever may find again,
Of fishes and corals under the waves,
And seahorses stabled in great green caves.
Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing of the things you know so well.
Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing me a song, O Please!
A song of ships, and sailor men,
And parrots, and tropical trees,
Of islands lost in the Spanish Main
Which no man ever may find again,
Of fishes and corals under the waves,
And seahorses stabled in great green caves.
Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing of the things you know so well.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
National Poetry Month - The Eagle
by Lord Alfred Tennyson
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Differences between CityWalk and EVERgreen
Today’s blog began as an answer to a question on the Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum, but I thought it had enough general interest to post here. EVERgreen is a proposed permanent supportive project from First Presbyterian here in Dallas.
“How would you compare & contrast this proposal for Expo Park with Central Dallas Community Development Corp and 511 Akard?”
I have only glanced at the EVERgreen application, but I can talk a little bit about the differences between Evergreen and CityWalk.
First, the projects are based on different models. We copied from Common Ground in New York. Projects based on that model try to include a mixed population of people who have been homeless and people who haven't. To make that work, the housing has to be attractive enough so that market tenants aren't discouraged from renting there by the stigma that still attaches to a homeless building.
That's why CityWalk needed to be downtown. Affordable housing is so rare in Downtown Dallas that demand far exceeds supply.
The downside is that it's a very expensive choice. We raised a ton of philanthropic money for CityWalk, but that was because it was a first and caught the imagination of some people with money. In New York, Common Ground has managed to build 3,000 units on this model because a lot of state and local money is available. In Texas there is no state money, and there will only be local money if the City Council and the voters approve it in a bond issue--and that money would likely not be available until 2012 at best.
Evergreen looks to me like it is based on some of the models I saw in San Francisco (I don't know if they looked at those models or not). In the old Tenderloin district there are a number of former Merchant Marine hotels that have been converted to permanent supportive housing. They all have shared kitchens like the Evergreen project.
I have looked at projects that are 100% formerly in a number of cities and they work just fine, so I don't think that's a problem. I also think the location is fine. To properly run a permanent supportive housing program you need enough units (probably a minimum of 75 units) to do so efficiently. Otherwise the operating costs eat you up.
The need for that much density makes it difficult to locate in traditional single-family areas. You also need access to good mass transportation and land that isn't too expensive. In Dallas, the best locations are Downtown (if you can afford it), the Cedars, the near East Side, the Design District, and maybe some of the more commercial areas of Oak Cliff or near one of DART's light rail stops.
The more diverse and dense a place is, the better. Most of those locations are going to have to have 100% psh units. I know the people in the Cedars or Expo park don't want to hear it, but those areas are sketchy enough already for renters. There won't be a market for mixed projects any time soon, unless you do something really special with building.
Graham Greene is a good architect and the Evergreen building looks good, from what I've seen. I think Evergreen would actually raise property values--it's likely to be the best looking building in Exposition Park. The approach is very similar to what and where New Hope housing is doing in Houston. Their projects have been very successful.
The only thing I don't like about Evergreen is the shared kitchens. That won't affect people outside the building, but they tend to be a management problem. People don't clean up, take other people's food. The problem isn't any different from four guys sharing an apartment in college--but it's a problem there as well.
I would guess it was done as a cost saving measure, but it could also be an expression of their philosophy. Building community be eating together and all. I still wouldn't do it.
Either a mixed population or all psh works fine--if you get people a place and do a good job with management then there really aren't any other secrets, from what I've seen.
I don't see any reason it shouldn't be a successful project and an asset to the community.
A final note: It's just coincidence that both Evergreen and The Cottages are under development on the East Side of Downtown. We don't talk to each other about our projects, even though we all know each other. With only two or three viable choices, it's not so surprising. I have tried to develop projects in the Design District and the Cedars, but those didn't work out for one reason or another. First Presbyterian also had a proposal Downtown that didn't work out.
Anyway, that's all I know and more.
“How would you compare & contrast this proposal for Expo Park with Central Dallas Community Development Corp and 511 Akard?”
I have only glanced at the EVERgreen application, but I can talk a little bit about the differences between Evergreen and CityWalk.
First, the projects are based on different models. We copied from Common Ground in New York. Projects based on that model try to include a mixed population of people who have been homeless and people who haven't. To make that work, the housing has to be attractive enough so that market tenants aren't discouraged from renting there by the stigma that still attaches to a homeless building.
That's why CityWalk needed to be downtown. Affordable housing is so rare in Downtown Dallas that demand far exceeds supply.
The downside is that it's a very expensive choice. We raised a ton of philanthropic money for CityWalk, but that was because it was a first and caught the imagination of some people with money. In New York, Common Ground has managed to build 3,000 units on this model because a lot of state and local money is available. In Texas there is no state money, and there will only be local money if the City Council and the voters approve it in a bond issue--and that money would likely not be available until 2012 at best.
Evergreen looks to me like it is based on some of the models I saw in San Francisco (I don't know if they looked at those models or not). In the old Tenderloin district there are a number of former Merchant Marine hotels that have been converted to permanent supportive housing. They all have shared kitchens like the Evergreen project.
I have looked at projects that are 100% formerly in a number of cities and they work just fine, so I don't think that's a problem. I also think the location is fine. To properly run a permanent supportive housing program you need enough units (probably a minimum of 75 units) to do so efficiently. Otherwise the operating costs eat you up.
The need for that much density makes it difficult to locate in traditional single-family areas. You also need access to good mass transportation and land that isn't too expensive. In Dallas, the best locations are Downtown (if you can afford it), the Cedars, the near East Side, the Design District, and maybe some of the more commercial areas of Oak Cliff or near one of DART's light rail stops.
The more diverse and dense a place is, the better. Most of those locations are going to have to have 100% psh units. I know the people in the Cedars or Expo park don't want to hear it, but those areas are sketchy enough already for renters. There won't be a market for mixed projects any time soon, unless you do something really special with building.
Graham Greene is a good architect and the Evergreen building looks good, from what I've seen. I think Evergreen would actually raise property values--it's likely to be the best looking building in Exposition Park. The approach is very similar to what and where New Hope housing is doing in Houston. Their projects have been very successful.
The only thing I don't like about Evergreen is the shared kitchens. That won't affect people outside the building, but they tend to be a management problem. People don't clean up, take other people's food. The problem isn't any different from four guys sharing an apartment in college--but it's a problem there as well.
I would guess it was done as a cost saving measure, but it could also be an expression of their philosophy. Building community be eating together and all. I still wouldn't do it.
Either a mixed population or all psh works fine--if you get people a place and do a good job with management then there really aren't any other secrets, from what I've seen.
I don't see any reason it shouldn't be a successful project and an asset to the community.
A final note: It's just coincidence that both Evergreen and The Cottages are under development on the East Side of Downtown. We don't talk to each other about our projects, even though we all know each other. With only two or three viable choices, it's not so surprising. I have tried to develop projects in the Design District and the Cedars, but those didn't work out for one reason or another. First Presbyterian also had a proposal Downtown that didn't work out.
Anyway, that's all I know and more.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CityWalk—the poem
Since it’s Poetry Month, and this is CityWalkTalk, here’s a poem about CityWalk that my wife, Rebecca Garza Greenan, wrote and performed at a Poetry Slam in San Antonio. You should think of it as a blues piece, sort of a la Langston Hughes.
City Walk
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to sleep.
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to eat.
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to be.
I once had a bed,
A roof over my head,
But something went wrong,
And I lost my home.
Then I heard about a place,
Being planned just for me.
A high rise downtown,
A safe haven for me,
A clean bed in a place,
To which I’d hold the key.
My home is now City Walk.
Now,
The city
Walks around me.
City Walk
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to sleep.
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to eat.
I walked around the city,
‘cause I’d no place to be.
I once had a bed,
A roof over my head,
But something went wrong,
And I lost my home.
Then I heard about a place,
Being planned just for me.
A high rise downtown,
A safe haven for me,
A clean bed in a place,
To which I’d hold the key.
My home is now City Walk.
Now,
The city
Walks around me.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Book Club a blast for residents
BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX
Our calendar of activities for our residents at CityWalk is beginning to expand. We attended the monthly book club hosted by Central Dallas Ministries on April 15, where the featured book was Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich. It was great to see our residents engaged in and enlightened by the discussion.
Our calendar of activities for our residents at CityWalk is beginning to expand. We attended the monthly book club hosted by Central Dallas Ministries on April 15, where the featured book was Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich. It was great to see our residents engaged in and enlightened by the discussion.
We're looking forward to our first Movie Night this Friday and planning for an upcoming Karaoke Night. Fun times!
Wanda Bennett, Martesha Cox, Warren Lisenbee, Nick Sowell, and Johnice Woods walk over to First United Methodist Church for Book Club.
Residents listen intently during the Book Club event.Sunday, April 18, 2010
'Labor of Love'
BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX
A few months ago, we told you about Dwell with Dignity, the non-profit interior design group that would be designing a two bedroom apartment at CityWalk for new residents Leslie and her six year old daughter. http://citywalktalk.blogspot.com/2010/01/dwell-with-dignity.html
The big reveal happened yesterday afternoon and it was amazing. The entire apartment was absolutely gorgeous and filled with so many beautiful pieces of furniture, all mostly donated or refurbished. Leslie was overwhelmed with emotion and her daughter was bouncing off the walls with excitement. This was their home and it was more than they had imagined it would be.
A huge thank you goes out to Dwell with Dignity Founder and President Lisa Robison, Executive Director Kim Turner, and their team of dedicated volunteers for making this much-anticipated move-in day a memorable one.
Here are some of the photos:
Leslie and Lisa in the living room. "It's a labor of love," Lisa said about the Dwell with Dignity project.
For more information about the work of Dwell with Dignity, go to http://dwellwithdignity.org/.
A few months ago, we told you about Dwell with Dignity, the non-profit interior design group that would be designing a two bedroom apartment at CityWalk for new residents Leslie and her six year old daughter. http://citywalktalk.blogspot.com/2010/01/dwell-with-dignity.html
The big reveal happened yesterday afternoon and it was amazing. The entire apartment was absolutely gorgeous and filled with so many beautiful pieces of furniture, all mostly donated or refurbished. Leslie was overwhelmed with emotion and her daughter was bouncing off the walls with excitement. This was their home and it was more than they had imagined it would be.
A huge thank you goes out to Dwell with Dignity Founder and President Lisa Robison, Executive Director Kim Turner, and their team of dedicated volunteers for making this much-anticipated move-in day a memorable one.
Here are some of the photos:
Leslie and Lisa in the living room. "It's a labor of love," Lisa said about the Dwell with Dignity project.
For more information about the work of Dwell with Dignity, go to http://dwellwithdignity.org/.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Toiletries are always needed
BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX
Move-ins at CityWalk are occurring more frequently now, so we are giving out tons of toiletry supplies to get our new residents started. If you've been wondering how you can help, you should consider hosting a donation drive for toiletries. This is an easy and inexpensive way to get involved because you can simply ask your friends or co-workers to bring a bag of toiletries to you and then you can drop them off at CityWalk at Akard, where they will be given to low-income and formerly homeless residents.
Just contact me at 214.573.2570 ext. 2133 or ncomeaux@centraldallascdc.org to let me know when you'll be stopping by.
Move-ins at CityWalk are occurring more frequently now, so we are giving out tons of toiletry supplies to get our new residents started. If you've been wondering how you can help, you should consider hosting a donation drive for toiletries. This is an easy and inexpensive way to get involved because you can simply ask your friends or co-workers to bring a bag of toiletries to you and then you can drop them off at CityWalk at Akard, where they will be given to low-income and formerly homeless residents.
Just contact me at 214.573.2570 ext. 2133 or ncomeaux@centraldallascdc.org to let me know when you'll be stopping by.
Friday, April 16, 2010
CityWalk: A Good Example?
Over at Unfair Park (http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/04/what.php#comments;) there is quite a discussion going on about the proposed EVERgreen Residences located at 3800 Willow near Exposition Park. I’m going to try to stay out of this discussion—for once it’s nice not to be on the firing line—but I do have to say that it’s both sad and hilarious that almost every speaker at the public hearing last night began with something like, “I’m in favor of affordable housing, but [fill in with reasons why it shouldn’t be in his or her neighborhood].
One encouraging comment is set forth below:
Billy MacLeod says:
These type of developments help to end the problems associated with homelessness, they are the final piece of a very complicated process. So, the idea of a 100 bed SRO (Single Room Occupancy) facility in an urban is a net positive not a net negative.
Ending homelessness at the individual level is a long process; that process called "The Continuum of Care". It includes getting people documentation, medical treatment, addiction treatment, psychological treatment, comprehensive life skills training, and much more help than I could mention here. My point is that it is only at the end of that long process when the success stories qualify for SRO's.
The people who enter SRO's are the champions of the system; by that time they are on their way up and off of the streets. More important to this story is at that point, these formerly homeless individuals, are eager to work and save and change their lives for the better. Dallas is short over 1300 SRO's today, and the end result of that shortage is the people who have completed their treatment, and their therapy, and who get on their meds...ultimately end up back on the streets going backwards.
I applaud the efforts of the neighborhood to defend their turf, and mind you these great people are leaders in the community, but with a little more research, they may end up be in favor of this badly needed resource. I would simply ask them to have a little faith, just look at the new City Walk@Akard (two blocks away from the new Arts District) in Downtown Dallas as a great example of how SRO's pose no problem to any community. Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 14 2010 @ 6:52PM
This is just what we wanted to do—convince people that permanent supportive housing can be a plus, not a minus, for neighborhoods. Now we’ve just got to convince a lot more people.
As always, if you would like to see what we are doing, come visit me at CityWalk. My number is on our website and any of us would be happy to show you around.
One encouraging comment is set forth below:
Billy MacLeod says:
These type of developments help to end the problems associated with homelessness, they are the final piece of a very complicated process. So, the idea of a 100 bed SRO (Single Room Occupancy) facility in an urban is a net positive not a net negative.
Ending homelessness at the individual level is a long process; that process called "The Continuum of Care". It includes getting people documentation, medical treatment, addiction treatment, psychological treatment, comprehensive life skills training, and much more help than I could mention here. My point is that it is only at the end of that long process when the success stories qualify for SRO's.
The people who enter SRO's are the champions of the system; by that time they are on their way up and off of the streets. More important to this story is at that point, these formerly homeless individuals, are eager to work and save and change their lives for the better. Dallas is short over 1300 SRO's today, and the end result of that shortage is the people who have completed their treatment, and their therapy, and who get on their meds...ultimately end up back on the streets going backwards.
I applaud the efforts of the neighborhood to defend their turf, and mind you these great people are leaders in the community, but with a little more research, they may end up be in favor of this badly needed resource. I would simply ask them to have a little faith, just look at the new City Walk@Akard (two blocks away from the new Arts District) in Downtown Dallas as a great example of how SRO's pose no problem to any community. Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 14 2010 @ 6:52PM
This is just what we wanted to do—convince people that permanent supportive housing can be a plus, not a minus, for neighborhoods. Now we’ve just got to convince a lot more people.
As always, if you would like to see what we are doing, come visit me at CityWalk. My number is on our website and any of us would be happy to show you around.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Party on the patio!
We had our first employee party at CityWalk yesterday afternoon to celebrate April birthdays. It was a potluck and we were able to enjoy a huge selection of delicious food on the third floor patio.
The gorgeous weather made it a perfect day for employees of both Central Dallas CDC and Central Dallas Ministries to fellowship and feast. So, as you can see from the photos, CityWalk is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to work!
Photos: Ken Koonce, Larry James, John Greenan and staff
Photos by Johnice Woods
The gorgeous weather made it a perfect day for employees of both Central Dallas CDC and Central Dallas Ministries to fellowship and feast. So, as you can see from the photos, CityWalk is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to work!
Photos: Ken Koonce, Larry James, John Greenan and staff
Photos by Johnice Woods
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
CityWalk rocks!
Here are more stories and photos on Jon Bon Jovi’s visit to CityWalk on Monday, April 12.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bonjovi_13met.ART.State.Edition2.4c47313.html
http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/Jon-Bon-Jovi--90715729.html
Jon Bon Jovi chats with Warren Lisenbee, a CityWalk resident.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bonjovi_13met.ART.State.Edition2.4c47313.html
http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/Jon-Bon-Jovi--90715729.html
Jon Bon Jovi chats with Warren Lisenbee, a CityWalk resident.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Jon Bon Jovi Visits CityWalk!
Photo by Steve Lee
Jon Bon Jovi closed out a brief visit to Dallas, which included two sold out concert performances, with a visit to CityWalk@Akard, yesterday, April 12, 2010. His entourage wasn’t what you might expect of a rock and roll star. Instead he had with him Mimi Box, the head of his foundation, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (http://www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/), and Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon, co-founders of Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia (http://www.projecthome.org/about/co-founders.php).
As part of his current concert tour, Mr. Bon Jovi is visiting innovative programs to help the homeless—and CityWalk made his list.
The Dallas Morning News sent a reporter and WFAA had both a reporter and videographer present, but this wasn’t a publicity event (it happened after his concerts, which were sold out anyway) but a working meeting. All over the country now organizations, like Central Dallas CDC and Central Dallas Ministries, are working hard to eliminate homelessness. We are beginning to find out what works and it’s important that we have the opportunity to exchange ideas.
Jon Bon Jovi was engaged in the conversation and clearly has a thorough understanding of the reality of homelessness and the solutions we are all beginning to find. He spent two hours talking with us, with some of the residents of CityWalk and touring the building. The discussion included detailed financial analysis, comparisons of various existing rent subsidies, the services we provide and the explanation of design choices. Jon and the people he brought with him know what they are doing, are doing great work in Philadelphia, and it was a pleasure to have a chance to compare notes.
His foundation concentrates on working in the areas of poverty and homelessness, so I shouldn’t be surprised that Jon Bon Jovi takes its work seriously and there have been enough examples of artists engaged in doing good work that I guess none of us should be surprised anymore. I think part of the change we are seeing has to do with people maturing. In your twenties being a rock and roll star may be enough, but after two decades in the business Jon Bon Jovi clearly wants to do more for the community.
Jon Bon Jovi rocking the American Airlines Center on Sunday, then working with homeless issues on Monday makes me think maybe rock and roll will save our souls after all.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Alone
by Maya Angelou
Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
It’s good to be back
By Nick Sowell
Recently, I took a trip to Los Angeles for two days. Now I remember why I moved back to Dallas.
People can be a bit crazy there, that’s my take. But it was nice sunshiny weather and not a cloud in the sky, with an ocean breeze. Still, I’m very glad to be back in Dallas where the good people are.
I hope everyone on both the Central Dallas CDC and Central Dallas Ministries staff had a great belated happy Easter holiday. I will be working on the Center of Hope, which is the development for the 50 cottages for the homeless, which should keep me busy.
And, one day I intend to complete the revamped CDC web site, one day.
Recently, I took a trip to Los Angeles for two days. Now I remember why I moved back to Dallas.
People can be a bit crazy there, that’s my take. But it was nice sunshiny weather and not a cloud in the sky, with an ocean breeze. Still, I’m very glad to be back in Dallas where the good people are.
I hope everyone on both the Central Dallas CDC and Central Dallas Ministries staff had a great belated happy Easter holiday. I will be working on the Center of Hope, which is the development for the 50 cottages for the homeless, which should keep me busy.
And, one day I intend to complete the revamped CDC web site, one day.
Friday, April 9, 2010
This Little Bag
by Jane Austen
This little bag I hope will prove
To be not vainly made--
For, if you should a needle want
It will afford you aid.
And as we are about to part
T'will serve another end,
For when you look upon the Bag
You'll recollect your friend
This little bag I hope will prove
To be not vainly made--
For, if you should a needle want
It will afford you aid.
And as we are about to part
T'will serve another end,
For when you look upon the Bag
You'll recollect your friend
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dreams
by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
To make a prairie
by Emily Dickinson
To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few.
To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
National Poetry Month - A Dream
by Edgar Allan Poe
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
Ah! what is not a dream by day
To him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?
That holy dream - that holy dream,
While all the world were chiding,
Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.
What though that light, thro' storm and night,
So trembled from afar
What could there be more purely bright
In Truth's day-star?
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
Ah! what is not a dream by day
To him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?
That holy dream - that holy dream,
While all the world were chiding,
Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.
What though that light, thro' storm and night,
So trembled from afar
What could there be more purely bright
In Truth's day-star?
Monday, April 5, 2010
National Poetry Month FAQ
Source: www.poets.org
What is National Poetry Month?
National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.
Who started it?
The Academy of American Poets has led this initiative from its inception in 1996 and along the way has enlisted a variety of government agencies and officials, educational leaders, publishers, sponsors, poets, and arts organizations to help.
Why was April chosen for National Poetry Month?
In coordination with poets, booksellers, librarians, and teachers, the Academy chose a month when poetry could be celebrated with the highest level of participation. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.
What are the goals of National Poetry Month?
• Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
• Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
• Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
• Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
• Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
• Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
• Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry
What is National Poetry Month?
National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.
Who started it?
The Academy of American Poets has led this initiative from its inception in 1996 and along the way has enlisted a variety of government agencies and officials, educational leaders, publishers, sponsors, poets, and arts organizations to help.
Why was April chosen for National Poetry Month?
In coordination with poets, booksellers, librarians, and teachers, the Academy chose a month when poetry could be celebrated with the highest level of participation. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.
What are the goals of National Poetry Month?
• Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
• Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
• Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
• Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
• Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
• Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
• Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry
Sunday, April 4, 2010
It's National Poetry Month again!
I'll be posting a fair amount of poetry this month, beginning with "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost:
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Already, here in Dallas, gold is turning to green as spring comes on like gangbusters. This is a poem I've loved for years. It perfectly captures the unbelievable joy and inevitable sorrow of the human condition. It's that piquant combination that defines us. First beauty beyond all imagining and then it fades away like youth, like spring, like the dawn, and like the loss of Eden.
I'm writing this today on Easter, so I can't help but think as well of the promise of the return to Eden. A promise you can see prefigured in every spring, in every dawn and in every blooming flower.
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Already, here in Dallas, gold is turning to green as spring comes on like gangbusters. This is a poem I've loved for years. It perfectly captures the unbelievable joy and inevitable sorrow of the human condition. It's that piquant combination that defines us. First beauty beyond all imagining and then it fades away like youth, like spring, like the dawn, and like the loss of Eden.
I'm writing this today on Easter, so I can't help but think as well of the promise of the return to Eden. A promise you can see prefigured in every spring, in every dawn and in every blooming flower.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Last Homeless Man?
Here’s a story that you don’t hear every day. In New York, New York, Times Square is down to its last homeless person: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/29/homeless-man-tells-new-yo_n_517904.html.
Now, I have to question whether there isn’t a little hyperbole going on in this story, but I’m sure that the homeless population in that area has greatly diminished. [Advertising warning—A good part of that work has been done by the organization Common Ground whose founder, Roseanne Haggerty, is speaking at this year’s Central Dallas Ministries Prayer Breakfast on April 6. Details can be found here: http://www.dallasprayerbreakfast.org/ where you can also buy tickets! Afterwards there will be a panel discussion where I will join Ms. Haggerty, along with other panelists.]
The interesting part of this story is that it is clearly unusual—newsworthy—that a homeless person doesn’t want a home. We haven’t yet run into someone who doesn’t want a home here in Dallas, but then we aren’t down to the last homeless person either. Maybe someday we will be!
Just for the record, here’s a picture of the person known as “Heavy”, who may just possibly be the last homeless person in Times Square.
Now, I have to question whether there isn’t a little hyperbole going on in this story, but I’m sure that the homeless population in that area has greatly diminished. [Advertising warning—A good part of that work has been done by the organization Common Ground whose founder, Roseanne Haggerty, is speaking at this year’s Central Dallas Ministries Prayer Breakfast on April 6. Details can be found here: http://www.dallasprayerbreakfast.org/ where you can also buy tickets! Afterwards there will be a panel discussion where I will join Ms. Haggerty, along with other panelists.]
The interesting part of this story is that it is clearly unusual—newsworthy—that a homeless person doesn’t want a home. We haven’t yet run into someone who doesn’t want a home here in Dallas, but then we aren’t down to the last homeless person either. Maybe someday we will be!
Just for the record, here’s a picture of the person known as “Heavy”, who may just possibly be the last homeless person in Times Square.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Forever the Optimist
BY JOHNICE WOODS
As the month of April begins, I am still trying to catch my breath from all of last month’s activities. Of course there were many meetings on top of meetings and deadlines. Then there was the weird weather. Who would have thought snow in March in Dallas?!!!
I did have a week of rest - Spring Break with my family. Not to my surprise, on my first day back from vacation I hit the ground running. Through it all, I have strived to remain optimistic.
March is Optimism Month. Optimism is defined as follows:
op•ti•mism [op-tuh-miz-uh m] –noun
1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.
4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.
I love the first definition listed above - "a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome." As many of you know, CityWalk at Akard’s Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was last Thursday, March 25th. I must admit, I had a very pessimistic view leading up to that day. I was so focused on the things that were not complete and how the image of our “almost” complete project would be viewed by the public.
But on last Thursday, I awoke with an optimistic attitude. I said to myself, “Whatever happens today, will happen, and we will somehow survive.” To my surprise, everything came together in a very favorable way!!!
A couple things highlighted that day for me. One, people were amazed at the units. They were taken by surprise at how each unit was a warm environment despite the size. Second, our vendors, supporters, and partners were so proud of our organization for accomplishing such a difficult project with such great style.
Everyone’s excitement and well wishes was truly an optimistic moment …for me.
Photos by Eason Photography
As the month of April begins, I am still trying to catch my breath from all of last month’s activities. Of course there were many meetings on top of meetings and deadlines. Then there was the weird weather. Who would have thought snow in March in Dallas?!!!
I did have a week of rest - Spring Break with my family. Not to my surprise, on my first day back from vacation I hit the ground running. Through it all, I have strived to remain optimistic.
March is Optimism Month. Optimism is defined as follows:
op•ti•mism [op-tuh-miz-uh m] –noun
1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.
4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.
I love the first definition listed above - "a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome." As many of you know, CityWalk at Akard’s Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was last Thursday, March 25th. I must admit, I had a very pessimistic view leading up to that day. I was so focused on the things that were not complete and how the image of our “almost” complete project would be viewed by the public.
But on last Thursday, I awoke with an optimistic attitude. I said to myself, “Whatever happens today, will happen, and we will somehow survive.” To my surprise, everything came together in a very favorable way!!!
A couple things highlighted that day for me. One, people were amazed at the units. They were taken by surprise at how each unit was a warm environment despite the size. Second, our vendors, supporters, and partners were so proud of our organization for accomplishing such a difficult project with such great style.
Everyone’s excitement and well wishes was truly an optimistic moment …for me.
Photos by Eason Photography
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Excited about CityWalk and the future
BY NICK SOWELL
The much awaited grand opening of CityWalk@Akard went off without a hitch. There was a great turnout and people seemed to be very excited and interested. To be honest, earlier that same day I was not sure if we were going to have everything done on time - there was so much work to be done in such a short period of time. But, everyone pulled together to set up and prepare for the opening.
And to answer anyone’s question, yes, the Central Dallas CDC web site will be completed this week. It took forever to learn the new format...wow, like forever.
I am now starting to work on the new Center of Hope project that Central Dallas CDC is doing. I’m excited to be a part of a great team that will once again be developing housing for the homeless in the Downtown Dallas area. Central Dallas CDC has blossomed into probably one of the largest nonprofit developers in Texas with many projects, and I’m still amazed with the newly revamped building we are now in.
The much awaited grand opening of CityWalk@Akard went off without a hitch. There was a great turnout and people seemed to be very excited and interested. To be honest, earlier that same day I was not sure if we were going to have everything done on time - there was so much work to be done in such a short period of time. But, everyone pulled together to set up and prepare for the opening.
And to answer anyone’s question, yes, the Central Dallas CDC web site will be completed this week. It took forever to learn the new format...wow, like forever.
I am now starting to work on the new Center of Hope project that Central Dallas CDC is doing. I’m excited to be a part of a great team that will once again be developing housing for the homeless in the Downtown Dallas area. Central Dallas CDC has blossomed into probably one of the largest nonprofit developers in Texas with many projects, and I’m still amazed with the newly revamped building we are now in.
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