According to Jubilee Park And Community Center’s President and CEO Marissa Castro Mikoy,
“In the heart of Southeast Dallas lies Jubilee Park, where, for many of our residents, a single line in their address—their zip code—can drastically alter the course of their lives. In our historically underserved 62-block neighborhood, due to physical barriers like I-30 cutting off resources and creating a lack of infrastructure, residents face daily challenges, such as choosing between paying for groceries, critical medical bills, or repairing a damaged roof.
“At Jubilee Park And Community Center, founded in 1997 to create a safe space for children and families, we strive every day to listen to our neighbors’ needs and connect them with the personalized resources and programs that they need to thrive, achieve holistic health, improve their quality of life . . . and rewrite their future. Whether providing home repairs for increased health and safety, offering healthy foods and vegetables through the Jubilee food pantry to combat food insecurity, introducing ESL and Citizenship courses to advance careers, running high-quality afterschool programming at three campuses, or providing accessible, affordable healthcare—we create lasting change by letting our community’s ever-changing needs inform our strategy and programs.
“For over a decade, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has been instrumental in helping Jubilee Park meet critical needs in Southeast Dallas, allowing our team to both address immediate concerns and plan for long-term change—providing a sense of belonging and family for individuals and multi-generational families alike.
“In 2023 alone, more than $70,000 in donations made on North Texas Giving Day enabled Jubilee Park to impact over 3,000 neighbors (a 20% increase from 2022) and introduce 30 new programs for the community. These generous donations transformed lives in numerous ways: families saved an average of $2,146 per child enrolled in summer school programs, the Jubilee Park Community Clinic granted 1,723 patients access to timely, affordable care and saw 102 mental health patients, and seniors were served 28,189 meals, among many other benefits.
“For us, those numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re stories of children learning in and out of the classroom, exploring new hobbies and playing sports with classmates; families learning to cook and eating more healthy foods, mental health improving and lifespans increasing from access to prevention and medical care, and seniors escaping the threat of social isolation to find comfort and friendship.
“Because of opportunities like North Texas Giving Day that increase awareness and funding, Jubilee Park is more than a park, neighborhood, or community center—it’s a community that nourishes hope and life change. Please join us this year as we stay true to our mission to be a catalyst for comprehensive community revitalization and enrichment, forging a brighter future for our 62-blocks . . . and our City.”
* Graphic/photo provided by Jubilee Park And Community Center
In 15 years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $566 million into the North Texas community. In 2023, more than $63.9 million was raised through 97,000 donors benefiting 3,249 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 19, support Jubilee Park And Community Center by clicking here and spreading the word. #NorthTexasGivingDay2024