The Associate Leadership Council (ALC), The Real Estate Council’s (TREC) premier professional leadership development program, announces its 2024 class project, the renovation of the former St. Luke Community United Methodist Church building into a permanent home for the Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center (ZWHCOC). ZWHCOC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating self-sustaining pathways out of poverty for residents through trade skills and entrepreneurial training, job placement assistance and financial and reading literacy services.
The ALC Class renovation of the 2,020-square-foot former St. Luke Community United Methodist Church building will include staff workspace, training and meeting rooms, an internet cafe and coworking space. In addition, the project will enhance the aesthetics of the property, including new landscaping, power washing, interior and exterior painting, flooring and routine cleaning. The renovation is slated for completion by the end of the year and will cost $393,385 with funding through TREC Community Investors (TREC CI), the philanthropic arm of TREC, and in-kind donations.
The project kicks off a three-year, $1 million commitment from TREC CI and TREC members to revitalize and energize East Dallas’ Mill City as part of the second Dallas Catalyst Project (DCP), a place-based economic development initiative. Last fall, TREC CI wrapped up nearly six years of work and 22 projects in the Forest District as part of the inaugural DCP.
“The Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center plays an important role in the success of the Mill City community and its residents, and we’re excited to strengthen and expand the Center’s impact,” said Mike Geisler, TREC chairman. “The renovated, permanent facility will not only help ZWHCOC achieve its mission of creating self-sustaining pathways out of poverty for Dallas families and adults, but it will also help empower residents and instill a heightened sense of pride in Mill City, our ultimate goal through DCP.”
The former St. Luke Community United Methodist Church building, which has been vacant for more than a decade, was originally built in 1941 and then rebuilt in 1956 after it was destroyed by a fire. The church was led by Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. for over 30 years, and in 2020, the building was donated to the nonprofit organization.
Led by Jeff Matthews, ALC Class of 2024 chair, and Jessica Stroud (Stream Realty Partners) and Ryan McDaniel (Grand Bank), ALC Class of 2024 project managers, the project marks a long tradition of community investment from ALC classes as part of their growth toward becoming future commercial real estate leaders. Since its creation, ALC has helped produce some of Dallas’ most notable industry trailblazers through unique opportunities that include education classes, networking, and civic responsibility through real estate-related community service in the city’s most underserved neighborhoods.
“The Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center renovation project furthers our program’s long tradition of community investment and embodies the goals of TREC Community Investors and the Dallas Catalyst Project,” said Jeff Matthews, ALC Class of 2024 chair. “Until now, the Center’s leadership team never considered a permanent facility a possibility. With the help of our community partners, we’re making it a reality, and that’s something we’re really proud of.”