The City of Dallas announced on May 13 the recipients of the Love Your Block mini-grants, recognizing community leaders and neighborhood groups who will lead revitalization projects aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and creating lasting impact.
The initiative is designed to empower residents to address local challenges through creative solutions in partnership with city government. According to the announcement, more than 100 applications were received from residents and community groups proposing ways to improve neighborhoods and public spaces. Twenty-five winning projects were selected, each receiving a $2,000 grant for a total distribution of $50,000.
“Love Your Block empowers residents to take ownership of neighborhood improvements while strengthening community pride and partnerships with the City,” said Code Compliance Director Chris Christian.
Winning projects include efforts in beautification such as community gardens, park improvements, public art murals, restoration initiatives, educational programs like literacy hubs, and other enhancements like installing a charcoal grill at Annie L. Stevens Park or welcoming signs for Chariot Village. The full list includes individuals and organizations such as Katherine Clark’s “The More You Know, The More You’ll Grow,” Lutena Wooten’s “Sit & See,” Crystal Robertson’s “Feed The Streetz at New Life Farms,” Krisa Cantrell’s “UrbanDale Park Mural,” Ivy Lane Baptist Church’s restoration project, Veronica Bravo’s “The Educator’s Corner: A Community Library & Resource Hub,” among others.
Support from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University helps bring city leaders and residents together through this program. Year 1 winner Twymeika Hill-Jones of EmpowerHer said: “I learned that when something is rooted in care, people will support it—they’ll protect it and help it grow.”
Love Your Block grants fund resident-led revitalization work across communities in the United States—from transforming vacant lots into gardens to repairing playground equipment—strengthening social cohesion among residents and building trust with local government. Residents interested in learning more about the program or volunteering can visit kdbccs.org.
