The Bethlehem Foundation History

Edwina Cox Evans - Executive Director
1975 - 2002

In 1972, a Task Force Committee was organized by Dr. Robert H. Wilson, Pastor of St. John Baptist Church to study and assess the problems and needs of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the outcast without regard for race, sex, or religious affiliation. This committee was composed of individuals with volunteer leadership or employment knowledge from the following areas: Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now known as Department of Health and Human Services), Department of Human Resources, Social Security Administration, Dallas Housing Authorities, the Texas Girl Scouts of America, Big Brothers, Boys Club, Action Center City of Dallas, Greater Dallas Community of Churches, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, County Welfare, Dallas Independent School District and major corporations.

The Study determined the following: Many individuals and families fall between the cracks of the system, due to service gaps between agencies both public and private. Emergency Food assistance is provided by the church pantries run by volunteers, who normally close by 1:00 p.m.; food stamps are often delayed by computer errors or breakdowns, incomplete applications and oversight of case workers; emergency housing and utility assistance is limited; unskilled laborers and persons with limited education have difficulty finding employment in an area of high technology; the clients were in need of more than “band aid” solutions. On sight observation and evaluation of some public offices, as to the treatment of the less fortunate, is not included in the report of the task force committee.

As a result of this study, negotiations were made with St. John's Church to allow the Committee to use one of their service buildings, to open an office of Social Services for the Oak Cliff Community. In November of 1975, this office was opened, and one staff person was hired to coordinate this effort. Bethlehem Foundation was originally housed in a service building at St. John Church, 2603 Idaho St. .

The problems and needs were greater than previously anticipated. By January of 1976, services were provided to all areas of Dallas and Dallas County. Additional findings were service gaps in the areas of delinquent, pre-delinquent and youth offenders. The rapid growth of this office with referrals coming daily from public, private, and nonprofit organizations, the financial capabilities of the churches and Individuals were drained. Therefore, The Bethlehem Foundation was incorporated as a 501 C (3) Community Service Organization in March of 1977, with a legal board of directors composed of community people and resources.

From 1977 to 1991, the Office of Social Services recruited disadvantaged person from the ages of 18 to 59 for the City of Dallas Health screening clinic (held on site). Serving as resources and advocates for the Dallas Police Department Social Services Division, Dallas County Welfare, State Department of Human Resources Community Council Information and Referral, War on Poverty Program, Churches, Schools, Hospital, and other Community Organizations by accepting referrals and providing the following:

• Emergency social services to families and individuals who do not meet existing social services eligibility guidelines or fall between the cracks of the Social Service System, and are in need of temporary or longer term assistance with food, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, jobs, information, and advocacy services.
  
• Crisis intervention with families when there is a breakdown in the transition to maintain stability, cohesiveness, and its development capacity. Through case service coordination, they work with the clients until they are stabilized rather than referring them to another source.

From September 1977 through May 1979, we served as a Satellite Center for Bishop College “Right to Read Program”. From 1977 through 1981, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language and Tutoring Programs were provided. In October 1977, “Project Youth” was established and funded by the City of Dallas to provide services to delinquent and pre-delinquent youth based on a casework design. The following services were provided: 

One on one counseling, family counseling, cultural awareness, job readiness, sports, recreation, crisis intervention, drug counseling, coping skills, workshops for clients and community on teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, education and advocacy support services. The programs were tailored to meet the individual needs, alleviate root problems, familiarize, and reinforce the efforts of juvenile clients in becoming productive elements of society.

We were contracted to serve 150 youth. However, we served 165 with 300 youth participants in summer programs. The City of Dallas continued to fund Project Youth until September of 1981. The contract was no longer available due to federal budget cuts.

On August 15, 1979, the Criminal Justice Division of the State of Texas, via Dallas County funded Project Youth Expansion Program, a spin-off of the city program to include hard-core juvenile offenders. The First year contract was to serve 50 to 60 juveniles, 102 juvenile clients were served. Based on positive financial and program audits, the state continued to fund the program through November of 1984, on contributions from the community but serving fewer clients due to reduction of juvenile staff.

In September of 1984, the Office of Social Services expanded its program to include (1) JETWE Program to help eligible recipients of AFDC with job placement, (2) North Texas Food Bank Federal Commodity Distribution. From 1980 through 1993, we provided the City of Dallas with a site for Summer Feeding Program, a work-site for the summer Youth Employment Program and referred youth to the City Youth Employment Program. In October of 1981, a Juvenile Restitution Program was established and implemented to rehabilitate juvenile offenders by raising the level of awareness to accountability, time utilization, individual, and family counseling while providing victim assistance to redress losses. Clients worked as designated or needed by the offenders with the assistance of Bethlehem Foundation Staff as a Public Service. The Foundation received juveniles for the purpose of restitution and all projects were satisfactorily completed. Program ended due to staff limitations that were based on unavailable salaries in November of 1985.

In January 1985 we accepted co-sponsorship of a Cambodian Refugee family of 23. Also, in May of 1985, services were expanded to include delivery of hot dinners to elderly and disabled persons falling between the cracks of existing services, or in need of additional hot meals due to health reasons on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Transportation to and from hospitals, clinics, and grocery stores is provided for the elderly and disabled in addition to homemaker services.

From 1989 through 1991 we were funded by the city of Dallas to provide a Homeless Prevention Program. The goals and objectives were met. Based on city documents in 1992, we were asked to provide a Family Stabilization Program by the City of Dallas, which continues through April 2002.

The Hillcrest Foundation funded the Local Texas Department of Human Services via Bethlehem Foundation to provide training, business opportunities for AFDC recipients to relieve the Welfare System. During the periods of 1992-1993 and 1994-2002, the Foundation was funded by the City of Dallas through Emergency Shelter Block Grants to provide a Homeless Prevention Programs by providing rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to low/moderate income individuals and families to avoid evictions, mortgage foreclosures, and termination of utilities.

In 1992 the foundation received funding from the Ryan White C.A.R.E Act to provide emergency assistance for housing (rent & mortgage) payment, Food Pantry. Volunteer doctors, dentists, clinics, and foundations provide various health screenings during each year. Screening include cancer, sickle cell anemia, podiatry, dental, eye, blood pressure and cholesterol.

In 1993 the foundation obtained a Community Development Block Grant from the city of Dallas to purchase a 16,800 square foot facility to provide multiple services under one umbrella. Private donations provided the funds to renovate the building and the open house was held November 4, 1993. GED, remedial education, and services to youth were reestablished beginning November 1994. Services to people with AIDS or HIV Positive were expanded to include: food, emergency assistance, and transportation. The operations are headquartered at 1159 W. Camp Wisdom Road a facility situated in the southwestern corridor of the city within the Oak Cliff subdivision. This location is a strategic setting to facilitate effective services to its target area.

In 1994 the HIV/AIDS Program was expanded to include client transportation, and pickup and delivery of client medication through Ryan White Formula Grant via Dallas County. This service ended in 2001 due to the rising program costs and the limited funds available to continue.

Volunteer doctors, dentist, clinics, and foundations provide various health screenings during each year. Screenings include cancer, sickle cell anemia, podiatry, dental, eye, blood pressure and cholesterol.

1995-to present, the Bethlehem Foundation was funded to continue the Family Stabilization Program. Emergency Assistance programs through the City of Dallas Emergency Shelter Grant program were completed.

1975-2000, special Christmas projects for infants, children, teens, and disabled persons have been successful through community, church, and corporate donations.

1995-present, a Tuberculosis Satellite Clinic sponsored by Dallas County distributes medication once per month.

1996 A Community Development Block Grant expanded the front parking lot, cemented portions of back parking lot and built a security fence to secure vehicles. The men's restroom was repaired, benches, swings, and other equipment were installed for children, and the playground area was fenced in. In addition, from 1996 to 2000 the Transportation program for people with AIDS/HIV positive served 4,805 people and utilized 8,425 miles. The food program for the AIDS program served 2,013 people with 14,091 meals. Also in 1996, an Emergency Service Block Grant provided 2,553 services to 495 individuals; and a Family Stabilization Program provided 4,191 individuals 1,803 services. Many prostitutes, substance abuser, drug pushers, and other unacceptable life styles have been changed since The Bethlehem Foundation's beginning and are living productive lives.

The Bethlehem Foundation exists to serve the needs of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the outcast, without regard for race, sex, or religious affiliation. Its program emphasis will focus upon both individual and group needs, and while service will be rendered to all age groups, special concern will be placed on children and the aged. Recognizing environmental influence upon both physical and social health, the Foundation will seek to impact upon negative environmental factors through planned program thrusts. Taking its cue from the Biblical literal meaning of the name "Bethlehem" (meaning House of Bread), the Foundation shall seek to provide through a program of service "food" for the development of the whole person.

Core Services continue through 2003 and pending funding

Networking with other agencies, advocacy support services food, clothing, furniture, personal hygiene items and household items are available to all clients falling between the cracks of the social service system.