Room at Promise House
The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded mostly by Regions Bank, granted $250,000 to Promise House, an organization here in Oak Cliff that provides critical services to homeless and at-risk youth and offers them tools and resources to achieve longterm self-sufficiency.
The contribution will specifically benefit Promise House’s emergency shelter and transitional living programs, according to a press release from Promise House.
Research from the National Network for Youth indicates that one in 10 young adults ages 18 to 25 experienced homelessness over a 12-month period. The data also shows at least 40% of adults who are chronically homeless were either in the foster care system or homeless as youth.
Promise House has adopted an early-intervention approach in its work to help end the cycle of homelessness, its operators say.
“Promise House is one of the only agencies providing emergency shelter to youth in Dallas experiencing shelter insecurity and homelessness,” CEO Charles Wolford says. “Our programs are focused on creating outcomes for youth in crisis that start them on a pathway to self-sufficiency and independence. The Regions Foundation’s generous investment demonstrates their commitment to serving the community and I couldn’t be more excited to have them join in the fight to end youth homelessness.”
Founded in 1984 following a community survey that identified a tremendous lack of support for homeless and runaway youth, Promise House initially operated as a 24-hour, year-round emergency shelter. In the decades since, it has expanded its programming to include crisis intervention, pregnant and parenting teen services, services for LGBTQ youth, outreach to neglected, abused and at-risk youth and more. Promise House reported that it served more than 2,000 clients in 2021 alone.
“Without support, young people overcoming homelessness can easily become trapped within the complex walls of poverty finding it hard to escape,” says Errika Flood-Moultrie, board chair of Promise House. “This gift from the Regions Foundation is making an immediate and long-lasting difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness.”
Regions Bank in Dallas has previously supported Promise House through a variety of initiatives during the past two years. The bank facilitated a free vision screening event for Promise House residents with Essilor Vision Foundation’s Kids Vision for Life mobile clinic. Regions associates have also conducted a towel collection drive for Promise House residents and the bank recognized the nonprofit’s staff in late 2021 through its “Thank You Forward” campaign.
“Promise House is providing life-changing and, in some instances, literally life-saving programs and services for youth experiencing homelessness in our Dallas community,” says Tyrus Sanders, market executive for Regions Bank in Dallas and Regions Foundation board member. “Through this generous gift from our colleagues at the Regions Foundation, their work reaching thousands of youth who don’t have a place to turn will continue, empowering them to break the cycle of homelessness and achieve long-term stability.”
