Randy Bowman’s mission to build Dallas’ first urban boarding campus got a $400,000 boost when the City Council voted 11-3 to provide a grant, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.
The “At Last” program in South Oak Cliff is designed to provide 16 impoverished youths with structured support and assistance with their homework. The center is located on East Overton Road and is expected to open in August, with operating hours from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday.
For this project, Bowman has already secured $1.1 million, but still needed $400,000 for construction of a dorm building. Bowman owns EmDev Fund LLC and explained to the City Council that his program is completely voluntary and is not foster care. It is designed for youths in third, fourth and fifth grades, who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Services will be available free of charge, and priority for participation will be given to individuals who live near the site. Attendees will be chosen through a lottery.
His vision for the program is three houses, serving 180 kids. He told the council that it was the kind of program his mother wanted to provide, but she didn’t have the educational resources to do it.
“I’m trying to solve a problem that I lived, not a problem that I heard about,” said Bowman.
Bowman had been a member of the Dallas Employee Retirement Fund Board, but resigned on Feb. 12 to ensure that he complied with city code that prevents board members from having financial interests in the city.
Carolyn King Arnold, the council member who represents South Oak Cliff, urged her colleagues to support the project.
Council member Adam Bazaldua was one of three votes against the project, citing concerns over employee vetting and training. He suggested the plan needed more thought.
“One thing that I am really tired of doing around this horseshoe is approving things that we know could be better," Bazaldua said. "All I’m asking is for some tighter regulations so that we can ensure the safety of our children.”
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