The Mission of Jubilee is to be a catalyst for community renewal and enrichment to the surrounding South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood, with special emphasis on comprehensive, community revitalization and the education of children and adults. The main objective of Jubilee is to improve the quality of life for families and individuals living in a 62-block community in Southeast Dallas through innovation in community development that is comprehensive in scope, innovative in planning, outstanding in accomplishments and life changing for all involved.

What had once been a thriving and attractive community, this East Dallas neighborhood had, for decades, remained in a state of constant transition and neglect. Jubilee Park & Community Center was founded in 1997 with the collaboration of AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Dallas Community of Churches and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. Jubilee has helped develop and implement a comprehensive plan to revitalize the community that includes public safety, housing, economic and physical development, public health and education.

Today, approximately 65% of the Jubilee community is Hispanic and 35% African American. Jubilee is home to a five-acre park, Davids’ Place Head Start and The Jubilee Center, which serves as a hub for educational, recreational and community revitalization initiatives.

With strong and consistent leadership, capable teachers and amazing volunteers, O.M. Roberts, Jubilee’s neighborhood Elementary, has climbed from low performing to exemplary in just six years. Repairing existing homes and building affordable homes is a pivotal piece of the revitalization process. The Public Safety Task Force enlists cooperation from residents, businesses, Jubilee, Dallas Police, and code enforcement personnel. Since 2002, crime in the Jubilee area is down 37%. Jubilee received a generous gift to build a new Resource Center and Community Center; the target completion date of both buildings is May 2010.

To embrace an entire neighborhood for renewal is a bold, challenging and unique effort. The community has responded with pride and commitment to the challenge of revitalizing their neighborhood. All have experienced the satisfaction of substantial progress in the revitalization of the community. The spirit of Jubilee is reflected in those who live in, work in or care deeply about the Jubilee Park community.

The Gordie Foundation was created in 2004 after Gordie Bailey, a freshman at the University of Colorado, died of an alcohol overdose as a result of fraternity hazing. Founded by Gordie’s family, the Foundation is dedicated to providing today’s young people with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, binge drinking, peer pressure, and hazing.

Each year, nearly 5,000 young adults under the age of 21 die due to alcohol misuse. Through outreach initiatives, strategic partnerships and programs, the Gordie Foundation is committed to the prevention of these tragic and needless deaths.

The cornerstone program of the Foundation is the Circle of Trust, a student-driven, peer-to-peer education program with chapters on over 150 college and high school campuses worldwide. These groups promote change by sharing Gordie’s story, talking about responsible alcohol use and the signs of alcohol poisoning, educating about the dangers of peer pressure and hazing, and empowering friends to call for help to potentially save a life. Other outreach initiatives of the Foundation include National GORDIE day, speaking engagements, partnerships with like-minded organizations, and the production of the feature length documentary film Haze. This film examines the college drinking culture in America and includes an introduction by the foundation’s honorary chairperson and spokesperson Robin Wright Penn.

Alcohol abuse is the #1 health risk facing students today. To learn how you can make a difference, please visit www.gordie.org.