Bravo Zulu Homefront Alliance

Needs

Bravo Zulu Homefront Alliance is seeking funding to support our capacity-building efforts and expand our youth development program in the Joppa community of Dallas (South Dallas/Oak Cliff). This historically underserved area faces significant challenges, including high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness, particularly among veterans. Our program is designed to address these critical needs by revitalizing the Buffalo Soldiers Community Garden, teaching youth essential skills in gardening, fishing, and horse riding, and providing much-needed services to those experiencing homelessness and food shortages.

The revitalization of the Buffalo Soldiers Community Garden will serve as the cornerstone of our efforts, providing fresh produce to the local community and teaching youth the fundamentals of urban farming. This hands-on experience not only empowers young people with practical skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to their environment. Additionally, our program will incorporate fishing and horse riding, offering youth opportunities for physical activity and therapeutic engagement.

Our initiative also includes direct services to those experiencing homelessness in the Joppa community, South Dallas, West Dallas, and Oak Cliff. By leveraging the garden’s produce, we aim to provide nutritious meals to homeless individuals, addressing the immediate need for food while also creating a sustainable model for long-term support. Furthermore, as a veteran-led organization, we are committed to offering specialized services to veterans, helping them transition from homelessness to stability.

To achieve these goals, we require capacity-building support that will allow us to scale our operations, enhance our program delivery, and deepen our impact within the community our needs are:

(1) Funding for general operational support and capacity-building to expand our services.

(2) Donation of office space or funding for rental or purchase of office space to expand our services and operations.

(3) Funding to hire three part-time staff (Program Coordinator and two outreach specialists) to increase service delivery and reach more people who can benefit from our programs.

(4) Donation of a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) or funding to purchase a UTV to transport our disabled veterans who are unable to walk during parades and outdoor events.

(5) Donation of laptop or desktop computers or funding to purchase computers for staff and veteran program participants to use for services (i.e. job search, resume assistance, training, educational purposes).

(6) Donation of nonperishable food items or funding to purchase food to prepare for homeless feedings.

(7) Donation of hygiene and other essential products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, hand sanitizer, (new) socks, (new) underwear, blankets and coats during cold weather or funding to purchase these items for the homeless.

(8) Donation of farming and environmental supplies such as tools (shovels, rakes, seeds, irrigation materials, fencing, etc.). or funding to purchase these products to help us to get youth from underprivileged communities involved in community gardening and environmental preservation.

This grant will enable Bravo Zulu Homefront Alliance to develop the infrastructure needed to sustain and grow our programs, ensuring that we can continue to serve the most vulnerable members of our community effectively. With the support of this grant, we will also be able to collaborate with mentor organizations that can provide guidance in nonprofit leadership, further strengthening our ability to make a lasting difference in Dallas' most underserved areas.