Backbone Organization

In the center circle FRI is defined as a backbone organization that serves as a coordinating body that brings together diverse stakeholders and leads an effort to achieve common goals.

The dark green circle lists the nine roles of FRI: Advancing Policy, Bringing in Public Decision Makers, Convening Townhall Meetings, Guiding Vision & Strategy with Aligned Activities, Establishing Shared Measurements, Building Trust & Public Goodwill, Raising Funds, Mobilizing Resources, and Building Consensus.

The light green circle identifies the four actions FRI takes: FRI advocates, communicates, facilitates connections, and leads the community of Far East Dallas to improve safety & quality of life, economic development, equity, empowerment, and social cohesion (shown in the outer gray/black circle).

As a Backbone Organization Ferguson Road Initiative:

ADVOCATES: Identify and prioritize community constituent need through workshops, townhalls, events, etc.

COMMUNICATES: Document and disseminate local engagement efforts through meeting notes, social media, website, and organizational materials, etc.

CONNECTS: Identify local business and community partners for project engagement.

LEADS: Lobby with and advise public officials on constituent priorities to generate action or policy change. Conduct gap analysis and identify project engagement plan through consensus building.

Roles of Backbone Organizations

  • Guides Vision & Strategy with Aligned Activities
  • Builds Consensus
  • Builds Trust & Public Goodwill
  • Mobilizes Resources
  • Establishes Shared Measurements
  • Advances Policy
  • Brings Public Decision Makers into the Process
  • Convenes Community Connections
  • Raising Funds

“Collective Impact” Goals

  • Unified Neighborhoods
  • Decreased Crime and Increased Safety
  • Improved quality of life for all through Capital improvements
  • Increased Economic Development & home values
  • Improved School & Social Services
  • Improved Equity for Diverse Community
  • Increased Public & Green Spaces
  • Improved Connectivity, providing safe routes to schools & parks

Responds to the Community

  • Reviews & vet area development plans & projects
  • Creates COVID-19 vaccine clinics where people live & work
  • Point of Entry into the Community: Book Drive for Kids, The Artist Outreach, Lions’ Club, Aspire, Starbucks, El Rio Grande Latin Market, etc.
  • Organizes Crime Watch Meetings with Stakeholders to Address Issues in Community
  • Creates a joint Good Neighborhood Agreement between Homeowner Associations to establish standards of conduct

Ferguson Road Initiative accelerates “Collective Impact” in Far East Dallas

Initiatives and Economic Values

  • Highland Road Reconstruction, Phase I & II, 2022 – $6MM
  • Stonegate at Forest Hills (High-income Housing), 2005 – $10MM
  • Dallas City Homes (Affordable Housing), 2000 – $3MM
  • Villas at Ash Creek (High-income Housing), 2006 -$8MM
  • Department of Justice Weed and Seed Federal Crime-fighting $2 MM Grant, 2000 – 2011
  • Mondello Apartments (Senior Affordable Housing), 2010 – $12MM
  • White Rock Hills Library, 2012 – $8.5MM
  • White Rock Hills Townhome Apartments (Affordable Housing), 2010 – $10MM
  • Lakeland Hills Skate Park, 2010 – $250,000 & Pavilion, 2019 – $250,000
  • Heroes House Apartments (Veterans Affordable Housing), 2016 – $10MM
  • Area Plans: Ferguson Road, 1998; Garland Road Vision, 1999; White Rock East, 2012 & Casa View, 2016
  • Casa View Shopping Center, 2021 – $23MM
  • Starbucks Community Store, 2022 – $1.2MM
  • Uplift Education: White Rock Hills Preparatory, 2006 – $6MM
  • Luna Campus (Pre-K – High School), 2024 – $24MM
  • Le Reve Rehabilitation and Memory Care Center, 2020 – $10MM
  • Grove at White Rock Hills (High-income Housing), 2021 – $15.75MM
  • Ferguson Townhomes (Middle-income Housing), 2021 – $2.7MM
  • White Rock Hills Park, 2021 -$740,000
  • Harry Stone Family Aquatic Center, 2021 – $5.5MM
  • Trinity Forest Spine , 2023 – $18MM; & Ash Creek Trails, 2023 – funded, $3MM DORBA Mountain Bike Trails, 2024 – TBD
  • Intersection Redesigns: Lakeland Dr./Ferguson & Highland /Ferguson Roads, 2024 – $1.5MM Senior Activity Center (Proposed) – $1.5-2MM
  • White Rock Hills Recreation Center (Planned) – $25MM
  • El Rio Grande Latin Market, 2023 – TBD

Organization

  • Community Connection Townhall Meetings since 1998 (twice a year)
  • Operation Beautification Cleanup & Food Drive (Spring), Annual Blood Drive (Summer)
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance since 2006
  • Special Community Events:
    • Weed & Seed Celebration 2000,
    • Volunteer Appreciation 2010,
    • Weed & Seed Graduation 2010,
    • White Hills Library 2012,
    • Nonprofit Fair 2014,
    • Economic Development Summit 2016,
    • 20th Anniversary 2018,
    • White Rock Hills Park Opening 2021,
    • Networking Event 2022,
    • Trinity Forest Spine Trail 2023
  • Task Forces: Economic-development, Redistricting, Bond Programming, Erosion Control
  • Election Forums