DALLAS — The Youth World Dallas Learning Center celebrated the grand opening of its 24,700-square-foot facility in south Dallas. The nonprofit organization, which serves thousands of at-risk children, had outgrown its 7,000-square-foot facility, according to Youth World executive director Darla Shirley, and launched a “Build the Future” campaign in 2011 to provide for growing demand for its youth services.

The new facility is located in an area of Dallas where more than 1,800 juvenile crimes are reported annually, according to Shirley, and will serve between 400-600 youth daily.

Since its founding, Youth World has served 65,279 lunches to hungry children; donated 16,757 books to improve literacy; provided 2,184 new school shoes to children; and furnished school supplies, clothes, and backpacks to children in need.

The nonprofit also sponsors youth events year-round and focuses on improving homework grades and dropout rates through its on-site tutoring programs. “Youth World continues to grow in its outreach,” said Shirley. “Our goal with the new building was to address the increasing demand for our neighborhood services.”

To build the new facility, Shirley reached out to TDIndustries for in-kind donations. CEO Harold MacDowell green-lighted the project and recruited David Ausema, project manager, TDIndustries, to serve as a team leader for the company. In turn, Ausema recruited 26 partners who volunteered after work and on weekends to install the HVAC system for the new facility. A total of 12 split a/c units were installed by skilled tradesmen, including HVAC, plumbing, and piping specialists. Approximate dollar value of the equipment and supplies was $350,000, not including the more than 400 volunteer hours.

In addition to TDIndustries, 14 other local firms supported the project, including Air Device Warehouse, All-Tex Supply Inc., Bartos Industries, CCH Equipment, E-MC Electrical Inc., Green Supply, Marek Brothers Systems Inc., Mason-Dallas Inc., M&M Mfg., Sharp Insulation, Standard Supply, Sunbelt Rentals, Trane, and Venture Mechanical Inc.

“These companies and community partners — their volunteers and donated materials — have helped to make a dream a reality in two short years for these kids,” said Ausema. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the Build the Future project.”

Publication date: 12/23/2013 

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