DALLAS – A unique Signing Day program is generating a lot of buzz across South Dallas and Fair Park.
There were no athletes present. The signing had nothing to do with sports. Instead, community members say this signing day moment was about taking a pledge for change.
"Together people are signing for a better future for South Dallas-Fair Park," Mark Murrell shouted as he stood before a large group of students and community members in St. Philip's School and Community Center.
Representatives from 25 of the 100 schools, churches, businesses, non-profits and other groups were present for the Signing Day event. The groups made a commitment to collaborate in working with the community, through a partnership with Working in Neighborhoods Strategically, or W.I.N.S.
The organizers call it an effort in entities pooling resources to address the underserved South Dallas-Fair Park community’s economic development, education, health, housing, and safety and security needs.
“There's really not a lot of opportunity as far as big businesses," said Sam Mosely. He’s a businessman who has lived in the Fair Park area for 52 years.
W.I.N.S. is working to change that reality.
Cheryl McCarver, Vice President of Health and Wellness Alliance for Children, made the Signing Day pledge.
Her organization has been working with other partner agencies on corner store initiatives to address food challenges in South Dallas-Fair Park.
"It's one thing to teach people about eating healthy, and it's another thing for them to have access to those healthy options,” McCarver said.
W.I.N.S. organizers say the group has been working to bring agencies together that were spread across the community offering similar services. They say the collaboration will help better serve and transform the community.
For more information about W.I.N.S and its partners, click here.