Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Dallas celebrates opening of long-awaited homeless assistance center

By Scott Guthrie

DALLAS — Citizens and news crews walked effortlessly past a line of homeless people, who were stopped at the gates on their way into the city’s newest bragging point, The Bridge. The irony? The Bridge is Dallas’ new 24-hour homeless assistance center.

“This center represents a bridge to a new life,” said Mike Rawlings, homelessness czar and master of ceremonies at the grand opening of the center Tuesday afternoon.

The Bridge is Dallas’ first step toward solving its chronic homeless problem. The $21 million center pledges to provide health care, laundry services, haircuts, long and short-term housing and even pet care to the homeless. Now, if they can only get past the front gate.

In an opening ceremony that featured balloons arches, music, and food, Mayor Tom Leppert and Dallas council members made speech after speech praising the new center and thanking those who helped fund the project.

However, one key part was missing — homeless people. While many of them were inside by the time the proceedings started, not one homeless person was included in the actual ceremony. There was no applause for the homeless; no formerly homeless person spoke; and they weren’t even involved in holding the ceremonial ribbon as it was cut. Two Southern Methodist University students had that honor.

On a day that was supposed to be dedicated to the homeless, it seems as if they were greatly ignored.

But once all the suits and cameras leave, The Bridge will hopefully accomplish all the great things it has promised.

The 75,000 square foot center has no fee for overnight stays, and offers an overnight barrack that can hold up to 175 cots. The goal is not to give homeless people a bed for the night though. The Bridge is dedicated to providing the homeless the help they need.

“The goal is to provide solutions, not band aids. The Bridge is going to be a turnstile. We want to get them help and get them out,” Leppert said.

The center, which has a library, courtyard and medical facilities on the first floor, has dormitories on the second and third floor for long-term residents receiving medical help; however, to receive long-term care the homeless person must sign a plan with the Bridge.

All around the center people could be heard saying what a wonderful day it was for the city of Dallas. Marissa and Wallace Smith, who plan on using the center’s resources, agreed.

“We have been on the streets awhile. This is going to help us get back on our feet,” the Smiths said. “If they do what they say they will do, it will help the homeless problem.”

However, The Bridge is not the end-all solution.

Rawlings and Leppert both urged the citizens of Dallas to get involved and help be part of the solution. Leppert said he hoped to see the day when 100 families would give $50,000 a year to help with the homeless problem. Money is not the only thing than can help the situation though.

“With no permanent supportive housing, this will just be another homeless center,” said Larry James, director of Central Dallas Ministries.

The Dallas Housing Authority has donated 200 homes for permanent homeless housing. This almost doubles the number of affordable homes Dallas has currently. Also, Dallas County will donate $1 million a year to the upkeep of The Bridge.

It is fair to say though that the homeless and Dallas taxpayers alike feel The Bridge brings out the best in big D.

“This center represents the Dallas can-do spirit.” Leppert said. “Today is a great day, but just think of all the great days there will be in the future.”

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• Poverty > Homeless

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