For more than 22 years, Mercy Street has been rooted in West Dallas, walking alongside families, schools, and community partners through long-term, trust-based relationships. Through recent community meetings and direct conversations with our partner schools, a clear and urgent need has emerged.
Families in West Dallas face a significant gap in childcare, afterschool, and summer programming, particularly during the critical hours between 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM. These are the hours when children are out of school and many parents are still working.
The need is well documented. According to the Afterschool Alliance, for every child enrolled in an afterschool program in Dallas, three more are waiting for a spot. Dallas After 3PM reports that more than 101,000 children in Dallas would enroll in an afterschool program if one were available. U.S. Census Bureau 2023 five-year estimates show that over 41 percent of the West Dallas population is youth.
Mercy Street is ready to step in and respond.
Beginning February 9, 2026, Mercy Street will launch a formal, high-quality afterschool program serving Kindergarten through 6th grade students in West Dallas. This program is designed to support the whole child by creating a safe, structured, and engaging environment during afterschool hours.
Our Afterschool Program will focus on four core outcomes:
We will utilize an evidence-based curriculum with a strong emphasis on math and literacy, helping students build confidence and competence in foundational academic skills.
Daily afterschool programming will include:
Every component is designed to reinforce learning, promote healthy development, and help children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
High-quality afterschool programming contributes directly to the safety, health, and long-term success of children. It supports working families, strengthens school outcomes, and creates positive pathways for young people during the hours when they are most vulnerable. By expanding our programming to include afterschool and summer care, Mercy Street is responding to a community-identified need and extending our mission to love, educate, and empower the next generation in West Dallas.
For more information, please contact Aubrey McKinzie, Afterschool Program Director, by email at aubrey@mercystreetdallas.org or by phone at 214-379-4577.
West and South Dallas parents are invited to register their child to participate. Supporters and partners are invited to invest in this program and help expand access for families in need.
