A Message From The President: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
2016 has been exciting and Alliance for Greater Works™ has enjoyed a fruitful year. Our mission to position and strengthen leaders to transform under-resourced communities was fulfilled through the strategic programs and collaborative we assumed. Two of our major accomplishments were the WINS, Working in Neighborhoods Strategically Initiative and the African-American Faith Based Mental Health Initiative, both targeting areas that lacked resources.
On March 29, 2016, Mayor Mike Rawlings, Councilwoman Tiffini Young, Peter Roberts of Children’s Health, along with other city officials, the WINS Steering Committee members and South Dallas Fair Park residents convened for the Unveiling of WINS Dallas, a collective impact focusing on economic development, education, health, housing and safety and security. The vision of WINS was created from the input of residents and community partners, many of which lived in South Dallas/Fair Park during its most robust and thriving periods.
During the Unveiling event, I shared with those in attendance the future of WINS, including a PID, Public Improvement District. In August 2016, WINS made history by receiving the unanimous approval of City Council for the first PID south of the Trinity. We were all excited about this milestone accomplishment that would directly impact the safety and security of the South Dallas Fair Park community. On September 30, 2016 we concluded and fulfilled our two-year contract serving as the lead organization for WINS Dallas, leaving WINS positioned for great success.
History was also made by the African-American Faith Based Mental Health Initiative, a collaborative of ten churches seeking to increase the awareness and perceptions of mental health, recovery and wellness in African American communities. On September 17, 2016 in Houston, TX we hosted the first ever AAFBMH Conference with the goal of reducing the stigmas associated with mental health in the African-American church. A duplicate conference was hosted again on November 5, 2016 in Dallas, TX.
Another success was the convening of the 10th Annual Ultimate Financial and Legal Conference™. This year, there were more than 250 church and ministry leaders from around the U.S. in attendance to learn Sustain+Ability in the areas of tax, legal, human resources, fundraising, and risk management. Thanks to our partners: Sommerville & Associates, P.C., Ratliff & Associates, P.C., and Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski, & Zuber, P.C., the conference continues the grow and thrive. I am deeply grateful for this partnership and the void that this conference fills.
As we reflect over a few of our accomplishments this year, we are indeed grateful for the consistent support of our donors, partners, clients and friends. In this season of gift giving, we ask that you consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Alliance for Greater Works™. We need your assistance to fulfill our mission and to have an even greater impact in the communities we serve. Visit www.allianceforgreaterworks.org to join us in our fight of eradicating poverty in under-resourced communities.