DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On that second Saturday in October 2009, Todd Fields couldn’t have guessed where the future would lead as he and eight others volunteered in west Dallas. But today, the 2ndSaturday Community Development Corporation (2SCDC), which Mr. Fields founded in 2011, accepted a $16,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and TBK Bank, an FHLB Dallas member institution. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-District 30) and representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator John Cornyn and State Representative Toni Rose (District 110).
2SCDC will use the grant to purchase home repair tools, financial literacy curriculum and case-management software.
“2ndSaturday is a testament to caring, compassion and what is possible through committed partnerships,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “I would like to thank the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and TBK Bank. Their partnership will directly benefit residents of west and south Dallas through the work of 2ndSaturday.”
Mr. Fields said he got to know west Dallas residents while volunteering, and he wanted to do more to help. The nonprofit’s staff of four and a core group of volunteers annually assist about 25 to 30 homeowners through 1,500 volunteers.
“From the beginning, our heart has been to truly know and engage with our neighbors in west and south Dallas and to partner with them in the transformation of their communities,” he said. “It’s all about relationships. Knowing and serving with these folks changes you for the better, and 2ndSaturday wants to be an agent of change throughout Dallas’ neighborhoods in need."
TBK Bank Philanthropy Specialist Brandi Dunn said her institution has supported 2SCDC since its founding.
“Due to our longstanding relationship with 2ndSaturday, we have had a front-row seat to the evolution of the organization. It started out as a monthly volunteer project and grew into what it is today: a business that continues to serve the marginalized,” she said. “We are thankful to FLHB Dallas for the opportunity to expand our support of a group that is important to us. We care about their work and are proud to be able to support them in this way.”
PGP awards provide grants up to $12,000 to community-based organizations (CBOs). The funds may be used for research, organizational capacity-building, grant- and funding-application assistance, or contractual services. Through PGP awards, FHLB Dallas matches a member’s contribution to a CBO of $500 up to $4,000 at a 3:1 ratio. PGP grants are offered once a year through FHLB Dallas' member institutions via a lottery system.
Marcus Touissant, 2SCDC vice president, said the residents assisted by his organization do not have the funds to pay for home repairs.
“The senior, low-income and disabled population we serve lives on less than $800 a month,” he said. “We help by doing critical work like painting, replacing siding and roofs, building wheelchair ramps and renovating bathrooms.”
The first person helped by 2SCDC was Juliette Greer, who is best known as “Miss Julie.” Volunteers worked on her old home in west Dallas, but there was only so much they could do.
“Finally, after several years, it got irreparable. 2ndSaturday helped me get my paperwork ready to submit to the city’s housing program,” she said. “An inspector came out and saw where I had foundation, electrical and plumbing problems.”
Her new home, built on the lot where she had grown up and her old home had stood, was ready in November 2015.
“I prayed a lot. It took me time to decide to want to rebuild,” she said. “I had a lot of memories. But finally, I realized I was being prepared to receive a blessing, and a blessing it has been.”
Bruce Hatton, vice president and Affordable Housing Program manager at FHLB Dallas, said the partnership aspect of the PGP differentiates the program from others.
“When we looked at ways to support our members’ communities, we were struck by the vast opportunities to multiply our members’ contributions to nonprofits,” he said. “We applaud TBK Bank in their continued support of 2ndSaturday and appreciate the chance to serve them, as well.”
Mr. Touissant said there is no limit of ways to help.
“We are always looking for professionals who are looking to go deeper with us. Whatever your gift is, there is a way it can be used to make a difference in south and west Dallas.”
In 2017, FHLB Dallas awarded $300,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds through 31 member institutions to assist 30 community-based organizations. Combined with the $104,550 contributed by FHLB Dallas members, a total of $404,550 was awarded to the organizations.
To learn more about the Partnership Grant Program or other Community Investment programs from FHLB Dallas, visit fhlb.com/community.
About TBK Bank, SSB
TBK Bank, SSB, a subsidiary of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBK), is a Texas-state savings bank offering commercial and consumer banking products focused on meeting client needs in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. We also serve a national client base through our commercial finance offering, which includes factoring, equipment lending, asset based lending, commercial insurance and premium finance solutions for independent insurance agents. https://www.tbkbank.com
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $62.9 billion as of June 30, 2017, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.
