Nonprofit benefits Giving Grace CEO Leighanne Chris- ton said the nonprofit’s interest in potentially partnering with Serve Lewisville was heavily influenced by its successful partnership with Serve Denton. “All the shared services that we receive for free really impacts our bottom line and allows us to help more people,” she said. “It is such a benefit to small to mid-sized non- profits—wanting to give us that finan- cial break in partnership around that but then to have it and get such high- end quality care as a tenant, as a part- ner is very impressive. We’re really grateful for that.” Giving Grace’s mission is to help individuals and families with chil- dren in Denton County who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. “Our intention and desire is to have significant sustainable change for not just the mom or the individ- ual, but for generational changes,” Christon said. Giving Grace has one office in Den- ton. Christon said if Giving Grace partners with Serve Lewisville, its street outreach team will be able to reach more people. Feryan said Serve Lewisville will build a better sense of community within the city, and its success will provide opportunities for the organi- zation to expand services. “My hope and dream for this is to really bring our community together, not only our residents that live here, but our partners and our busi- nesses—knowing a place like this is here to support our community,” she said. “It’s really going to build and enhance our community.”
TENTATIVE TIMELINE Serve Lewisville officials anticipate a grand opening in spring 2023. Oct. | Officials began conducting feasibility study July | Serve Lewisville approved by Lewisville City Council Aug. | Council appoints Ashleigh Feryan, William Meridith to Serve Lewisville board Aug.-Nov. | Design/permitting Nov. | Demolition Nov.-Feb. 2023 | Renovations March | Move in April | Grand opening SOURCE: SERVE LEWISVILLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
The city will provide a $2.5 million forgivable loan that will cover the purchase of the building and renova- tions, Smith said. Serve Lewisville will raise the remaining $300,000 needed to buy, renovate and cover first-year operating costs. Smith said remaining costs will be funded through rent from nonprofits and fundraising events. The proposed location was selected because of its ease of access and proximity to neighborhoods, churches and schools. AGENCIES THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME IN, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY’RE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, WE ALWAYS WANT SERVE DENTON, AND NOW Serve Lewisville will be rolled out in two phases. Mental health, food, and rental and utilities agencies will move into the facility during the first phase, Feryan said. Child care and health care services will be targeted next once Serve Lewisville acquires more space. Smith said nonprofits that plan to have offices at the Serve Lewisville facility will also remain in their existing offices and buildings. Plans for food assistance include pantries and a community garden, which would help support access to fresh produce. Serve Lewisville will start with 7,983 square feet for Phase 1. Smith said Serve Lewisville plans to add 16,000 square feet for the second phase, which will occur about three years later. “IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO THE SERVE LEWISVILLE, TO BE A PLACE OF HOPE.” PAT SMITH, SERVE DENTON CEO
Serve Lewisville will be modeled after nearby Serve Denton, according to the feasibility study. Established in 2012, Serve Denton also has a one-stop shop model. Serve Denton is partnered with nearly two dozen organizations across several social services, includ- ing food; housing and rental assistance; health care; women and children’s needs; and mental health. Smith, one of the organization’s founders, said Serve Lewisville will be different in terms of branding and addressing the unique needs of resi- dents. Serve Denton’s success, how- ever, will provide a blueprint. “It’s very important to me and to the agencies that when people come in, they feel like they’re treated with dignity and respect,” Smith said. “We always want Serve Denton, and now Serve Lewisville, to be a place of hope.” Smith knows the challenges of launching a nonprofit better than any- one. He said building trust with the community potentially will be Serve Lewisville’s biggest challenge, but the organization is already better posi- tioned for success than Serve Denton was in its infant stages. “I’m so impressed with the leader- ship. When city leaders are aligned on things like this, that makes everything run smoother,” he said. “I love Denton. That’s where I grew up, but I didn’t have the support of [the] City Council that I had in Denton that I’ve had in Lewisville. To me that’s huge.” Smith said Serve Denton plans to remain involved and in close partner- ship long after its Lewisville counter- The projected site for Serve Lewis- ville will be at 1001 S. Edmonds Lane, an old Denton Area Teachers Credit Union building in need of renovations. Officials look to renovate the space through a number of funding revenues. part gets off the ground. Serving the community
HOW TO HELP
Serve Lewisville anticipates volunteer opportunities beginning in early 2023.
The website is set to launch by November. Donation options are set to debut by late September.
SOURCES: PAT SMITH, SERVE DENTON CEO/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
at a time when those working in or alongside nonprofits say they are see- ing an increased need in social services. There are about two dozen nonprofits located in Lewisville city limits. There are four nonprofit centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to The Nonprofit Centers Network. The closest center for Lewisville residents is the Serve Denton facility, located roughly 30 minutes away. By having multiple nonprofits under one roof, individuals and families will not have to travel long distances or take time off from work to get the assistance they need, Meridith said.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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LEWISVILLE - FLOWER MOUND - HIGHLAND VILLAGE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2022
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