Pasos for Oak Cliff emerged as an endeavor in August 2020. Two dedicated educators founded it to support students in need with new shoes. Pasos began as a fundraiser to raise $1,500 for 50 students, but within a week, it exceeded expectations as it fundraised $4,500 and helped 150 children with new shoes. Since its inception, Pasos has evolved into a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a holistic approach known as the Pasos Pathway, comprising three integral programs: sneakers, scholarships, and educational initiatives. Guided by our core pillars—Community and culture, Art, Responsibility, and Education (C.A.R.E.)—Pasos has entrenched itself in the fabric of Dallas, impacting over 1,500 students annually. Our commitment shines through providing essential sneakers for K - 12 students, comprehensive educational and art programs that prepare high schoolers for college or the workforce, and the bestowal of scholarships upon deserving Title I high school seniors.
As of January 2024, we have helped over 4,500 children in need with basic school necessities, like new shoes; we have served over 100 students through our educational programs and have awarded over $48,000 in scholarships to Title 1 graduating seniors. Pasos' dedication to community, art, responsibility, and education has garnered recognition from prominent platforms such as The Drew Barrymore Show (2020), Live with Kelly and Ryan (2021), Jordan Brand (2022), and Netflix (2023). Pasos has won NonProfit of the Year with D-CEO Magazine (2022), Co-Sign Magazine (2023), and Cultura DFW (2024).
Our mission is to empower youth through sneakers, education, and art programs to elevate their well being and economic mobility. We equip children with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and become affluent citizens that improve our society and economy.
Pasos is urgently seeking to raise $20,000 to continue providing critical academic and creative services to our Pasos All Stars students during the 2025–2026 cycle.
This funding will directly support educational materials, food, transportation, and arts equipment—essentials that are becoming increasingly difficult to provide due to rising costs and growing student needs.
The Pasos All Stars STEAM Program tackles deep educational inequities by combining literacy and math instruction with hands-on learning in sneaker design and filmmaking. Designed for 9th–12th grade students in Oak Cliff, the program offers a unique, culturally relevant approach that blends academic rigor with workforce readiness—equipping students with both the skills and the confidence to succeed.
In recent months, our costs and demand have grown dramatically:
1) Food prices have increased by over 10%, making it harder to provide consistent meals to students who rely on us.
2) Immigration-related fears have made it difficult for some families to transport their children, highlighting the need for transportation assistance.
3) Arts equipment, essential to teaching real-world creative skills, has become significantly more expensive.
4) And most critically, student interest has outpaced our budget—we currently have students on a waitlist, and your support would allow us to serve at least 10 additional youth who are eager to participate.
Despite these challenges, our results remain strong. Last year, students in our program saw a 90% improvement in literacy and 80% growth in math skills. These efforts are part of the broader Pasos Pathway, a long-term strategy to increase students’ potential earnings by $20,000–$30,000 per year—breaking generational cycles of poverty.
Your gift today ensures that no student is turned away and that we can continue closing opportunity gaps and helping young people reach their full potential.
Your gift will help mold the future of Dallas, Texas.
Pasos for Oak Cliff embraces diversity, equality, and equity. We are committed and intentional about building a team with diverse backgrounds, skills, and point of views. We value serving students and families regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disabilities, and nationality.
Organization name
Pasos for Oak Cliff
Causes
Education - K-12
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Address
2915 s Polk st