Dallas, TX — October 23, 2024 – Catholic Housing Initiative (CHI), together with Catholic Charities Dallas, is proud to announce the grand opening of St. Jude Center-Vantage Point in North Dallas. Permanent supportive housing and services is provided at the new facility to address homelessness in the city.
St. Jude Center-Vantage Point is a home for 136 residents ages 18 and older. CHI acquired and renovated the former hotel property, transforming it into a safe, welcoming community. More than just a roof overhead, residents receive support and wraparound services from Catholic Charities Dallas, such as counseling, referrals for medical care and mental health services, job placements, and securing independent living. Residents also have access to food, clothing, and meaningful community events. CHI and Catholic Charities Dallas approach addresses the root causes of homelessness, allowing individuals to build a sense of community and work towards long-term stability.
“Since the first opening five+ years ago, the St. Jude Centers have sheltered hundreds of formerly homeless,” said Dave Woodyard, CEO of Catholic Charities Dallas. “Our homelessness and housing program is more than just temporary relief for our city’s homeless population; it’s about giving individuals the dignity they deserve and helping them on their journey to self-sufficiency. This newest St. Jude Center and other similar properties and programs continue our mission to serve our city’s most vulnerable, caring for their basic human needs and helping them move toward a better life.”
The grand opening event will be held on Tuesday, October 29, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Jude Center-Vantage Point located at 9019 Vantage Point Drive in Dallas. It will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tours, and remarks from Dallas community leaders. The event is open to the media to celebrate this milestone in Dallas’ efforts to combat homelessness and support sustainable living for those in need.
“We are grateful to our valued partners, the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and Catholic Charities Dallas, for their vision and their financial investment in this project, which will provide a safe, welcoming home for 136 adults in need,” said Shannon Ortleb, Chief Operating Officer for CHI.
St. Jude Center-Vantage Point is Catholic Housing Initiative and Catholic Charities Dallas’ third such project, joining locations at Forest Lane and Park Central. Since 2018, St. Jude Centers have provided stability and housing for formerly homeless single men and women over 18 years of age. A fourth center will open in Oak Cliff in 2025. The Vantage Point location was made possible through city funding, private donations, and partnerships with local organizations—a testament to what can be achieved when a community unites around a mission.
For more information about the grand opening event or St. Jude Center-Vantage Point, please contact Aubree Auletta, Director of Marketing & Communications, aauletta@ccdallas.org.
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About Catholic Housing Initiative
CHI is a community-based, non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of Catholics with a mission of providing quality, affordable family and senior housing. In addition to the three St. Jude Centers, CHI owns and operates more than 1,000 apartment units in Coppell, Carrollton, Mesquite, and Dallas. Recently, CHI celebrated the opening of a single-family housing project in the Five Mile neighborhood of Dallas. CHI has substantial development and redevelopment experience in addition to its operating and financing expertise. CHI owns the project and provides facility and financial oversight, including securing housing assistance arrangements with DHA and others. For more info, see www.CHIDallas.org.
About Catholic Charities Dallas
CCD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and one of the leading social service providers in the greater Dallas region. Founded in 1941, CCD strives to educate, serve, and empower more than 200,000 clients in need annually across a nine-county region of North Texas, addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness. As a large multi-disciplinary agency, CCD provides services in the following core areas: hunger alleviation; early childhood education; programming for low-income elderly; permanent supportive housing for the homeless; immigration legal services; parenting classes; pregnancy and adoption counseling; refugee resettlement; shelter and foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors; financial coaching and career development assistance; disaster preparedness and relief; and community health care. Additionally, CCD manages nearly a dozen properties, including our three St. Jude Centers, The Cottages at Hickory Crossing, and CityWalk @ Akard. For more information, please visit www.ccdallas.org.
