#HelpThemHome

Dallas' Austin Street Center grows from humble beginnings to raise $1.2 million

So far this year, Austin Street Center has served more than 1,200 homeless individuals by helping them secure jobs and permanent housing.

And thanks to the $1.2 million raised at its 21st annual Humble Beginnings luncheon, held October 15 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, the nonprofit will get to make an even bigger difference for Dallasites in the coming months.

More than 730 attendees clamored to donate, both at the luncheon and during the previous evening, when co-chair Margaret Philips hosted a young professionals gathering at Jose to support "Maggie's Challenge."

Founded in honor of her father, David M. Phillips, a devoted supporter and former board member of Austin Street, Maggie's Challenge was created with the goal of engaging the next generation in Austin Street’s mission. All gifts made and tickets purchased through Maggie’s Challenge were matched up to $50,000 thanks to a generous supporter, and totaled $118,000.

But at the luncheon, which Margaret co-chaired with her mother, Hon. Jeanne Philips, attendees got to learn more about the good work being done by Austin Street, which was founded in 1983 and is currently led by CEO Daniel Roby.

On hand to receive the first-ever community service award, presented by Mayor Eric Johnson, was Katie Edwards, SVP corporate social responsibility and president of the Mavs Foundation.

Also receiving recognition — and a standing ovation — was Frank Mihalopoulos, who along with his late wife Maryann Mihalopoulos, were presented with the Norm Hitzges Distinguished Service Award.

Hitzges, a sportscaster for 1310 The Ticket, has spent the last 20 years devoting a 24-hour live, continuous broadcast called the Normathon to raising funds for Austin Street.

Mihalopoulos surprised the room by announcing that he was donating Xela Aroma, an all-natural candle and reed diffuser company founded by Maryann in 2000, to Austin Street Center to run as a social enterprise. Guests were delighted to find a Xela Aroma candle in their gifts bags.

There were also updates on Austin Street's new, 60,000-square-foot, 24/7, client-focused homeless shelter and day service center that is currently being built. Once completed in early 2022, the center will expand much-needed services for the homeless men and women of Dallas.

Concluding the luncheon was a special mini concert from Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/actress Cynthia Erivo, who has also received two Oscar nominations.

Erivo performed two songs from her debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, before sitting down to chat with WFAA's Tashara Parker.

Located in downtown Dallas, Austin Street Center serves men ages 45 and older, and women ages 18 and older, with the individual support they need to transition out of homelessness, including shelter, food, clothing, health and mental health services, spiritual support, and employment and education programs. Austin Street Center provides unconditional support for each person regardless of faith, sexuality, or circumstance.

In serving the city's homeless neighbors, Austin Street Center provides the basic necessities, such as a safe place to sleep and shower, meals, and clothing. In addition to meeting these fundamental needs, other life rebuilding skills and spiritual support services are provided, including financial literacy, employment coaching, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous support meetings, individualized case management, and other weekly activities and services are available within the on-site chapel.

Margaret Philips, Frank Mihalopoulos, Jeanne Philips, Daniel Roby

Photo by Atali Samuel Photography

Margaret Philips, Frank Mihalopoulos, Jeanne Philips, Daniel Roby

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park