Center Relocating to Buckner
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The Wilkinson Center has moved our Munger-based programs to our Buckner location, a move that will increases services in the Pleasant Grove area while continuing our commitment to serve East Dallas.
This plan accelerates a strategy we had planned to implement in 2011. Gentrification of the Munger neighborhood and the economic downturn made moving forward with these plans a higher priority.
Since 2000, our client base has been moving to more affordable housing in Southeast Dallas. We have been building programs in that area to respond to this geographic shift. In addition to operating five after-school programs in that area, we opened the Buckner pantry, purchased five acres for future expansion and launched an Adult Education partnership attracting national support at the new Eastfield College-Pleasant Grove campus.
Although we are no longer at Munger, our commitment to serving East Dallas is ongoing. We have negotiated space across the street from Munger to house our ESL and GED classes. Our after-school program at Lipscomb Elementary continues to thrive. And all food pantry clients in our East Dallas ZIP codes are welcome at our Buckner location.
We thank the members and pastors of Munger Place United Methodist Church and Highland Park United Methodist Church for their support in building a shared vision to serve this community through the Wilkinson Center. Our partnerships are more important than ever as we grow our programs in an underserved area of our city that is in great need.
Brian Burton Executive Director
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