By Shawn Williams – Editor
On Saturday, the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center hosted the 2010 Empowerment Expo and watched hundreds of area residents walk through their doors. The City of Dallas partnered with with a number of local nonprofit groups to put on the event. The goal was to connect area residents with organizations that could provide information and resources in three specific areas: employment, education, and health.
Zakee Neblett (R) Speaks with residents who attend the 2010 Empowerment Expo at Thurgood Marshall Rec Center
Zakee Neblett, Program Manager at the Thurgood Marshall Rec, said that the economic downturn has made it even more crucial to offer alternative venues to where the public can access help, especially in the events three focus areas. “If you compromise any of the three,” Neblett said, “you have a problem.”
Classes were held throughout the day, which included Getting a Job and Keeping It, Eating Your Way to Health, and Getting the Most Out of Your Education. There were more than 20 vendors on hand (including ITT Technical Institute, Westwood College, Texas Barber College, Continental Truck Driver Training and Education School, and others) providing a glimpse at the options that await students and adults seeking additional schooling and employment opportunities.
The idea for the Empowerment Expo was born out of a group lead by Nesbett called the Youth Service Provider Network. Other nonprofits represented within the network include the Volunteer Center of North Texas, Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Youth Conversion, and Mosaic Family Services, Inc.
One of the criticisms of nonprofits is that they have traditionally been reluctant to work with one another. Funders and philanthropists are starting to encourage -with their dollars- groups to look for partnerships when appropriate.
Ashley E. Hyder - Volunteer Center of North Texas
Ashley E. Hyder is Manager of Public Relations and Communications for the Volunteer Center of North Texas, and has been part of the network for two years. She was passing out literature at Saturday’s event, and said the group is constantly searching for ways their organizations can partner. “We want to prevent the duplication of services,” said Hyder, noting that often multiple nonprofit organizations put on the same event. The Youth Service Provider Network meets once a month at Thurgood Marshall.
Hyder also said she was excited to see young people stopping by the college tables. “It says this is an option for me,” Hyder said. Zakee Neblett was also encouraged by the events turnout. “It’s a great feeling to know that the community is coming out to take advantage of the resources that are here.”
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