Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret James.
Who is The Metropolitan Dream Center and what do they do?
Margaret James, founder of The Metropolitan Dream Center, Inc., has been helping homeless and disadvantaged people for over forty years. As a young woman, and being influenced by her mother, she noticed that no one in her neighborhood had very much: little food, worn clothing, and few possessions. Not realizing that she was in the same state as others, she started sharing with others what she did have from the trunk of her car. Loading food and clothing in her car trunk, she would go and find someone else to share with. She has been going in that direction ever since.
New demands on Margaret’s willingness to share and provide for others resulted in her founding and organizing the House of Hope Outreach Ministry. As that ministry grew, it provided a natural progression toward the founding and organization of The Metropolitan Dream Center. The Metropolitan Dream Center, Inc., normally referred to as the Dream Center or simply MDC, is a faith-based organization, providing charitable services for people going through a crisis in their lives. It serves the less fortunate citizens of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
As a non-profit organization, MDC depends upon the loyal support of those who are willing to donate to it. Donations usually come in the form of monetary, clothing, food, personal items and volunteer’s time. Because of this support, MDC remains one of the most powerful non-profit ministries used of God to help both underprivileged children and homeless adults in our communities.
MDC also hosts social events in order to come in contact with people and provide charitable services for those who are less fortunate. We continue to depend upon God through faith to touch the hearts of others to help us with the growing demands of this charitable service.
The Dream Center’s mission is to assist people within the Dallas and Fort Worth area who are in need of help. We consider it a lofty mission as it is taken from God’s word in Matthew 25:35 (NKJ): “… for I was hungry and you gave Me food: I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…” We are encouraged to continue toward our mission as God’s word gives us an example and promise: “…Take care of him; and whatever more you must spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” (Luke 10:35).
Mission Goals
This will be accomplished by providing help directly to individuals through, but not limited exclusively, to the following activities:
• Giving support to overcome poverty by providing food, clothing, referrals to counseling (spiritual or otherwise) and shelter.
• Alleviating additions to present and additional life-controlling problems by providing referrals to various treatment protocols (spiritual or otherwise).
Non-Profit Organization
• MDC is organized by Texas law as a not-for-profit, faith-based, 501(c)(3) organization. As such, we do not work, serve, or expect to make a profit. We do not serve others to make money or a profit. To carry out our ministry, we depend upon God to own us, Christ to oversee us, and the Spirit to guide us. MDC depends upon like-minded people who are willing to donate to it.
• MDC has operated on a small, limited budget for many years. Yet, thanks to our Board Members, the hard work of countless volunteers, and the sacrificial giving of those who love the Lord and have compassion on the lost, we have been blessed to receive in order to give back and help others.
Board-of-Directors
• Our Board-of-Directors remind us—both in their talk and walk—that our Christian Duty is to feed those who are hungry, clothe those who are naked, care for those who are sick, etc. and that this duty is honorable; so much so that we lay up treasures in heaven when we do it.
EVENTS
Monthly Feeding- The “Feeding,” as it is sometimes called, is probably what we are better known for, if for no other reason than because we do it so often. And a lot of people attend it.
We team up with our Partners and try to schedule this event in a different community on a Saturday each month at 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Food & Clothes Give-Away – Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we receive guests and provide them with the opportunity to select the needed food and clothing required.
Street Ministry – You can only imagine how grateful people are for the love and care that you show for them. It’s a heart-warming and soul searching experience. It takes place every 3rd Thursday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Back to School – The Back-To-School Event is to aid our children with their need for school supplies. It is held sometime in month of August and churches, organizations, businesses, and friends donate many of the supplies. MDC help to ensure our kids have what is needed to receive a properly education assuring an easy and enjoyment learning experience for our children.
Harvest Fest – The Harvest Fest is The Metropolitan Dream Center’s premier annual event that services hundreds of people who are homeless and impoverished in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
This event provides food, clothing, medical screenings, haircuts, blankets, etc. among many other services.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
MDC is supported by donors with a heart to help the homeless and less fortunate, however, we are often stressed about meeting the obligation of rent on a monthly basis.
Metropolitan Dream Center – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As previously mentioned, The Dream Center’s mission is to assist people within the Dallas and Fort Worth area who are in need of help. We consider it a lofty mission as it is taken from God’s word in Matthew 25:35 (NKJ): “… for I was hungry and you gave Me food: I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…” We are encouraged to continue toward our mission as God’s word gives us an example and promise: “… Take care of him; and whatever more you must spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” (Luke 10:35).
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Reflecting back to where we have come from and seeing the place we are today, with our own facility and positioned in a community that has a need for our services.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4650 S. Hampton Rd. #97
Dallas, TX 75232P.O. Box 398105
Dallas, TX 75339 - Website: www.mdcdallas.org
- Phone: 214-916-0623
- Email: dreamcenterofdalla@sbcglobal.net
- Other: Margaret James
Image Credit:
Harvest Fest Feeding Even, School Supplies Give-A-Way and a picture of our Executive Director, Margaret James.
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