In the news

Dallas-area congregations raise money for hunger relief with 5K walk

Homeless gatherings increasing in First Presbyterian Church parking lot

Homeless sleep in church parking lot

Parking the homeless at First Presbyterian Church

Austin seminary names building after Dallas pastor and wife

Downtown Dallas architecture


CVM Broadcast Messaging: why is it SO important?  

This feature of Community Voice Mail allows us to send a blast message to the 950 +- clients using CVM, and the message drops right into their voicemail box. Why this it is SO IMPORTANT:
1) Companies that will consider hiring ex-offenders are 50% of these broadcasts. We have developed a database of companies willing to hire ex-offenders and we regularly call this list to see if they are currently hiring.
2) Housing information is broadcast,
3) Free stuff like clinical trials where clients may be paid or get free medical treatment is broadcast,
4) Ways to get tax refunds and the President’s Economic Expansion Check is broadcast.
5) Clients can not get this information anywhere else delivered right to their own phone number. Since 90% of CVM clients are unemployed this is very valuable information.  

In 2007 over 500 job opportunities were broadcast, and so far in 2008, over 250 messages have been sent. This has led to more and more clients wanting “The Jobs Line,” as many call it. There has been a significant growth in clients using CVM since we started broadcasting in 2007.

Stewpot serves first meal at the Bridge

Food-service contract with the Bridge allows for more opportunities to serve

For the past 32 years The Stewpot has been serving lunch every weekday to neighbors in need in downtown Dallas. Beginning with dinner Tuesday, May 20, we will begin serving three meals a day, seven days a week, at the city’s new homeless assistance center, known as “The Bridge.”

This is an exciting expansion of the ministry of First Presbyterian Church and a true leap of faith as we partner with the city and the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance to go from serving five meals a week to 21. We will need over 300 volunteers a week to make this happen.

We ask that your group, business or corporation consider serving a meal. The most pressing volunteer needs are weekends (all meals) and breakfast and dinner on Monday through Friday. Please contact Edward St. John (edwardS@thestewpot.org) or Bobbie Taylor (bobbiet@thestewpot.org) with any questions or volunteer requests.

The Bridge is located at 1818 Corsicana Street, about two blocks south of the Stewpot, just north of I-30. 

Meal times:
Breakfast 7:00-8:30
Lunch 11:30-1:00
Dinner 6:00-7:30

Thank you for your consideration and your commitment to one of the city’s major initiatives. Together we can contribute to the success of this initiative. 

In Christ,
Joe Clifford
Pastor, Head of Staff