Central Dallas Ministries convenes annual prayer breakfast to fight poverty and homelessness

by Chad Jones

In the wee hours of the morning on March 13, civic, business, and religious leaders throughout Dallas convened at the Hilton Anatole Hotel to take part in the 13th Annual Urban Ministries Prayer Breakfast.

The bacon and eggs didn't hurt, but the real draw for the event, with attendance of roughly 1,000, was a bit more egalitarian:

"When we first conceived of this event, we envisioned a time when people who cared about inner-city neighborhoods could come together to encourage one another and take action," said Larry James, President of Central Dallas Ministries, the faith-based charity organization that's hosted the breakfast since its inception.

Members from the North Texas Food Bank, Dallas churches of various denominations, and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert were present.

Mr. James discusses the breakfast's purpose and CDM's goals, then people eat and pray (as one would do at prayer-related breakfasts).

According to James, CDM aims to "fight poverty and injustice." Working in Dallas since 1988, the organization has offered food, community health care, legal services, and employment assistance for those in need.

Click here for CDM's insightful video on Destination Home. Here, too.

Destination Home, CDM's most recent program, offers residences to homeless persons. Currently, 25 residents have received their own apartments, and the ongoing redevelopment of 511 North Akard Street in Dallas will include a mixed-use facility with residences for 25 more.