A year ago, plans were announced to turn the vacant Fannie C. Harris Elementary School into a youth center that will eventually accommodate homeless Dallas ISD students who have nowhere else to stay at night.
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, a special ceremony and ribbon-cutting celebrated the prep work done so far to open the center, which is expected to happen in a matter of weeks.
Initially, the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center will open as an after-hours drop-in center for homeless youth to have a safe place to hang out, do homework and have access to laundry and shower facilities. In the spring, with further renovations, the center is planned to open its overnight component for up to 35 unaccompanied, unsheltered students.
The center will be operated by After8toEducate, a collaborative effort formed through the Social Venture partners Dallas. The collaboration brings together Dallas ISD, Promise House and CitySquare to provide essential services for district students and other homeless youth ages 14-21. Learn more at www.after8toeducate.com.
