Wilkinson Center

Wilkinson Center's mission is to transform the lives of Dallas families by providing pathways to self-sufficiency with dignity and respect.

Who We Serve

• Individuals and families in Dallas County facing:
• Food insecurity
• Lack of education
• Economic instability
• Unemployment or underemployment

All core client programs are provided free of charge.

Core Service Areas

Wilkinson Center supports clients through integrated services designed to address multiple barriers at once:

• Food and Support Services – Food pantry and related emergency support.
• Adult Education and Workforce Development – Education and job training services.
• Financial Literacy and Case Management – Coaching and support to help clients reach educational, employment, and financial goals.

Approach

Wilkinson Center uses an evidence-based, bundled-services model to help clients move toward lasting self-sufficiency. Key elements include:

• Case management
• Compassionate, client-centered staff
• Dedicated volunteers
• Individualized programming and support

Evaluation of this model has shown that clients who receive bundled and wraparound services are more likely to achieve meaningful economic outcomes, such as increased income, reduced debt, higher educational attainment, job certifications in middle-skills careers, and improved English language proficiency.

Mailing address Wilkinson Center 8344 E. RL Thornton Freeway, Suite 235 Dallas, TX 75228

Main telephone (214) 821-6380

Administrative office hours

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

For general inquiries or comments, you can also use the Contact Us form on the Wilkinson Center website. The organization indicates that you should receive an appropriate response within approximately 2 business days.

Education and Employment Center

Address Education and Employment Center 3302 N. Buckner Blvd., Suite 111 Dallas, Texas 75228

Telephone 972-895-3280

Hours

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Dallas College Pleasant Grove Center (Adult Education)

Address Dallas College Pleasant Grove Center (Adult Education) 802 S. Buckner Boulevard Dallas, Texas 75217

Telephone 972-284-0392

Food and Support Services Location

Address Food and Support Services 3402 N. Buckner Boulevard, Suite 302 Dallas, Texas 75228

Telephone 972-284-0377

Food Pantry hours

• Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Hours, locations, and services are subject to change. For the most current information, refer to the Wilkinson Center website or contact the organization directly using the phone numbers above.

Programs may include:

• Adult Basic Education
• High School Equivalency (GED®) preparation
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Career-readiness classes and workshops

Courses are taught by experienced, certified instructors and are offered at multiple sites in Dallas County.

Workforce Development and Training

Wilkinson Center offers workforce development and training designed to prepare clients for in-demand, middle-skills careers. Services may include:

• Job training programs
• Career exploration and planning
• Job readiness support

Wilkinson Center has been a partner in offering a bilingual Patient Care Technician program in collaboration with Dallas College.

Financial Literacy and Case Management Support

Financial literacy and case management are integrated into programming to support long-term success. Case Managers:

• Work with clients to set education, employment, and financial goals
• Help identify barriers to progress
• Develop action plans for self-sufficiency
• Provide ongoing social and emotional support

Program Cost

All Wilkinson Center education and workforce programs are provided free of charge to clients.

How to Enroll or Learn More

For current class offerings, locations, schedules, and enrollment instructions, visit the Adult Education or Programs sections of the Wilkinson Center website, or contact the organization directly using the details in the contact document.

Food Pantry and Pantry2Go

Services are offered through:

• Brick-and-mortar Food Pantry – Onsite pantry where clients, assisted by staff or volunteers, select the food products they need.
• Pantry2Go refrigerated truck – Mobile food distribution that extends reach into the community.

The Food Pantry serves clients of all ages and family types, including:

• Children and youth
• Single parents
• Families
• Seniors on fixed incomes

Additional Support Services

Through Food and Support Services, eligible clients may have access to:

• Groceries and essential items from the Food Pantry
• Seniors' Lunch and Learn Program
• Public benefits screening
• Referrals to social services
• Rent and utility assistance (subject to funding and program criteria)
• Workshops such as WFS Workshop
• Transportation passes
• Access to seasonal drives (for eligible clients), including:
• Thanksgiving turkey baskets
• Children's shoes
• Holiday toys
• Other annual food and essentials drives

Program Cost

All Wilkinson Center client programs, including Food and Support Services, are provided free of charge to participants.

How to Get Current Details

Service locations, hours, and eligibility requirements can change. For the most current information:

• Check the Programs page and any related Enroll page on the Wilkinson Center website for up-to-date service locations, times, and requirements.
• Use the Contact Us form or main phone number for questions that are not answered online.

• Executive Director: Daley Ryan

The Executive Director is responsible for overall organizational leadership and strategy.

Board of Directors

Wilkinson Center is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors that provides governance, strategic direction, and oversight. Officers and members are drawn from a range of professional and community backgrounds.

The organization's website maintains the most current listing of Board officers and members, including roles such as President, Vice President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and other directors. For up-to-date details, see the Board of Directors page on the Wilkinson Center website.

Key Staff Areas

Key staff roles are organized into several functional areas, including:

• Leadership – Executive Director
• Development – Development leadership and staff responsible for fundraising, grants, communications, campaigns, outreach, volunteers, and special events
• Programs – Program leadership and coordinators overseeing Food and Support Services, Adult Education and related initiatives
• Finance and Administration – Staff responsible for finance, administration, and operational support

A detailed, current list of key staff members, their titles, and contact information is available on the Key Staff page of the Wilkinson Center website.

Cash contributions are welcomed and can help sustain programs such as food assistance, adult education, and workforce development.

You can give in the following ways:

• Online: Make an electronic donation through the Wilkinson Center website.
• By mail: Send a tax-deductible gift to:

Wilkinson Center 8344 E. RL Thornton Freeway, Suite 235 Dallas, TX 75228

The organization emphasizes financial responsibility and makes audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 available for review on its website.

Examples of Impact from Donations

The About Us information provides examples of how contributions can support clients, such as:

• Covering transportation assistance for job seekers
• Funding GED testing for adult learners
• Purchasing diapers and children's shoes
• Supporting food for families through the Food Pantry
• Supporting programming for adult learners and workforce training

(These examples illustrate impact areas; actual program needs and funding levels may change over time.)

Volunteering

Volunteers play a key role in Wilkinson Center's work. Individuals and small groups may volunteer with programs such as:

• Food Pantry and Pantry2Go
• Adult Education
• Senior Program
• Income support drives and distributions

To learn more and register as a volunteer:

• Visit the Volunteer page on the Wilkinson Center website, or
• Contact the organization using the details in the contact document.

Other Ways to Support

Community members and partners can also support Wilkinson Center by:

• Sharing time and professional skills
• Helping connect the organization with in-kind goods and services
• Participating in fundraising events and campaigns highlighted on the website

For additional information about giving or volunteering, call the main number at (214) 821-6380 or email info@wilkinsoncenter.org.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.