Dallas Bethlehem Center

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Dallas Bethlehem Center (DBC) is a community impact organization that has a history and commitment of serving the South Dallas area since 1946. DBC is dedicated to being the success readiness center for school and life in its service area through programs built on parent and community partnerships.

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DBC Hosts Events and Programs
that Bring the Community Together

What is the Dallas Bethlehem Center?

We host community-wide events throughout the year as well as partner with Early Head Start program provider, ChildCareGroup (CCG), to deliver early childhood education for children ages 6 weeks-3 years old and expectant mothers.

We offer a weekly food distribution program (including limited hot meal service on Friday of each week) for our neighbors with food staples supplied by Crossroads Community Services.

We are located near the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X streets in South Dallas. Older generations in the DBC community have fond memories of DBC, and the Center continues to be a space where neighbors are invited to spend time, attend events, and volunteer to strengthen their connection to the community.

Dallas Bethlehem’s Center’s Purpose

Thriving Community

Strong Families

Better Lives

Dallas Bethlehem Center’s Mission

Empower & Resource our Community to Improve Lives through Education & Connected Solutions

Early Childhood Programming

Birth-3 years
Program Partner: ChildCareGroup (CCG)

Community Connection

Weekly food distribution – Program Partner: Crossroads Community Services
Annual Signature Events: Eggstravaganza (Spring), Back-to-School (August), Thanksgiving Feast (November), Christmas Program(December)

History of the Dallas Bethlehem Center & Where It’s Going

1946 Founded as a faith-based mission of the United Methodist Church North Texas Conference
1950 African American flight to South Dallas Sale of Thomas Avenue building & purchase of land on Leland
1969 Incorporated as a non-profit
1971Kindergarten license granted
1986Playground dedicated
2012Suspended operations to regroup on strategic planning and fundraising opportunities
2013 Partnership with ChildCareGroup - Early Head Start program (ages 0-3)
2019 Cradle to Career Education & Community Connection strategic plan launched
2021 Partnership with UT Southwestern/Parkland Clinics Diabetes Study

Current South Dallas Neighborhood Demographics

58% of homes are rented

Web Designer 58%

22% are vacant

Web Designer 22%

Unemployment Percentages in South Dallas are above the state average.

South Dallas has the highest crime rate in Dallas

South Dallas is designated as a food desert

45% of people in South Dallas zip codes 75215 and 75210 do not have cars.

South Dallas zip code 75215 is one of 12 Dallas zip codes with a high teen pregnancy rate

Median Household income below state average.

Sources: city-data.com, North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dallas Free Press, U.S. Postal Service