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Community Partners Crum Commons Event Reflections Service Trip Uncategorized

Painting with Purpose

During my first semester as an Engage Dallas Student Director, I had the opportunity to tour one of the senior living homes supported by our community partner, The Senior Source. While visiting Modern Senior Living, I had a meaningful conversation with the activities director about the positive impact their new garden had on the residents. That conversation got me thinking—what other creative ways could we enhance the space and bring more joy to those living there? When she mentioned their hope to one day have a mural painted on an outer wall, the idea for the mural project started to take shape.

After months of planning, searching for the right artist, and finalizing the design, we brought that vision to life this April. I eventually connected with an artist through the SMU Student Organized Art Collective, and with the support of the SMU Engaged Learning ELSA Grant and additional funding support, we were able to paint the mural and host a block party to celebrate with the residents and their families. With the help of 17 amazing volunteers, we spent the day painting, celebrating, and even inviting residents to leave their handprints on the wall. It was a special moment that brought so much energy and community spirit to the space.

What made this project truly meaningful was the response from the residents. Throughout the painting process, many came outside—some for the first time in a while—to watch, share feedback, and chat with us. The staff told us it was rare to see so many residents actively engaging like that. During the block party, which was held on a Saturday when many families came to visit, residents proudly showed their loved ones the mural and took photos in front of it. One resident shared how moving it was to see someone in a wheelchair represented in the mural, saying it made them feel seen. For many of us students, it was their first time visiting a senior home, and it was eye-opening. I hope this project not only made a difference for the residents, but also encouraged all of us to stay engaged with and advocate for our elders—because one day, we might find ourselves in their place.

Raissa Umwali ‘25

Engage Dallas Student Director – Crum Commons

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Alternative Spring Break Event Reflections Service Trip

Spring Engage Dallas Alternative Break Trip

Written by Engage Dallas Area Coordinator Hannah Green

Over this past Spring Break I, along with our staff advisor (Dani Palomo), and three other students (Julian Seghers 26’, Margaret Alt 26’, and Marcus Johnson 28’) engaged in a week of direct service in the Dallas community. Specifically, we served at Engage Dallas community partners Joppy Momma’s Farm, a community farm and garden, and Mercy Street, a sports and mentoring outreach organization that serves the youth of inner-city communities! Here are some key highlights from that week.

Joppy Momma’s Farm
Spending the morning assisting with the upkeep of the garden was such an educational and eye-opening experience. Some of the tasks that we did throughout the week included mulching, planting, harvesting, and weeding. We were not only taught how to do these things properly but also the amount of care that goes into completing these practices weekly in order to maintain the garden. Some of the highlights from our time at Joppy Momma’s included harvesting lettuce, planting bell pepper sprouts, and making our take-home tea bags of sage, rosemary, mint, and lemongrass! It was truly a delightful experience to lend a helping hand. During the week, I was reminded of the importance of supporting initiatives that provide local access to fresh produce, such as Joppy Momma’s initiative! This farm is meeting a nutritional need within a community struck by the wider inequalities we see in Dallas.

Mercy Street
Following our lunch breaks, we would spend the afternoon serving at Mercy Street. We spent Monday and Tuesday repainting their soccer field gate but due to unfavorable weather conditions, we pivoted to assisting with other tasks. When we met with the Mercy Street administrative staff, they were so grateful for what we were able to accomplish with giving the gate a newer coat in time for Mercy Street’s opening day for their various sports programs, considering the financial commitment of otherwise completely replacing the gate. On Wednesday and Thursday, we organized and rolled hundreds of shirts tied with handwritten motivation messages that would be given out to the attendees of the opening day ceremony that upcoming Saturday! This was again much appreciated by the staff, and it was quite satisfying to get the shirts prepared in time! On Friday, we were tasked with setting up chairs in the gymnasium, setting up signs around the complex, assembling a pressure washer, and getting the soccer goals in tip-top shape for Saturday! Although the tasks at times were physically demanding, it was really neat to activate our teamwork skills in the process of doing new things such as putting together the pressure washer or replacing soccer nets and moving the goal across the field. Overall, we ended up accomplishing so much that week and we collectively walked away with a renewed understanding of how important volunteers are for organizations such as Mercy Street.

Not only was this week truly enriching, but it was also fun and full of surprises! I would encourage anyone who is debating on whether to go on an Alternative Break trip to go for it and be ready to potentially step out of your comfort zone!
If you have any questions about earning your Community Engagement proficiency, please reach out to me: greenh@smu.edu

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Uncategorized

Call for Proposals and Registration Open: SMU Annual Place-Based Community Engagement Symposium

 

The SMU Annual Place-Based Community Engagement Symposium is back for its fourth year, and we want you to be part of it! This two-day event brings together thought leaders, academics, community members, and nonprofit professionals from SMU and the greater DFW area to explore how place-based engagement can transform communities. 

Why This Matters   

In an increasingly disconnected world, building strong, connected communities is more important than ever. This year’s theme, “Thriving Together: A Place-Based Approach to Combating Isolation through Connected Communities,” tackles the challenges of social isolation and explores how intentional engagement fosters meaningful relationships. Whether you’re working in education, community development, or nonprofit leadership—or you simply care about making a difference—this symposium will provide valuable insights, strategies, and networking opportunities. 

Call for Proposals: Share Your Insights!   

We’re looking for passionate community leaders, nonprofit professionals, faculty, and students to present at the symposium. If you have innovative ideas or experiences to share, we encourage you to submit a session proposal. 

This year’s focus areas include: 

  • Campus-Community Connections: Fostering Meaningful Partnerships – How can universities and local organizations build sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships? Topics may include service-learning initiatives, university-community collaborations, and participatory research. 
  • Improving Connection: Building Belonging on Campus and Beyond – What makes people feel connected? This track explores ways to create inclusive physical, digital, and social spaces that reduce loneliness and strengthen belonging. 
  • Personal and Collective Well-being: Strengthening Social Resilience – How can communities support both individual and collective well-being? Sessions may focus on mental health initiatives, intergenerational programs, and community health partnerships. 
  • Reflective and Experiential Sessions – This track is all about lived experiences. Through interactive workshops, storytelling, guided reflection, and creative expression, these sessions will dive deep into what it means to overcome isolation and build authentic connections. 

The deadline to submit proposals is April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., and acceptance notifications will be sent by May 5, 2025.  Register and submit your program proposal here. 

Event and Registration Details 

The symposium spans two days with engaging sessions at two distinct locations:  

  • November 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Bishop Arts Theatre Center; 215 S Tyler St, Dallas, TX 75208  
  • November 6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | SMU Dallas Campus, Hughes-Trigg Student Center Ballroom; 3140 Dyer St, Dallas, TX 75205 

This is a free event and will include meals for both days. To protect limited resources, please register only for the day(s) you can attend by Friday, October 24, 2025. You will be able to opt to register for one or both days. 

Join the Movement for More Connected Communities   

We believe that meaningful change starts with community. Whether you’re presenting, attending, or simply curious, this symposium is an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and take action toward a more connected and resilient community that thrives together. 

We can’t wait to see you there! 

For more information, visit the SMU Engage Dallas Symposium page. Register and submit your program proposal here. 

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Announcements Event

Support Engage Dallas on SMU Giving Day

Today, March 11, is SMU’s annual Giving Day. Donations to Engage Dallas today will support our summer internship program. In partnership with the Hegi Family Career Development office, Engage Dallas offers students paid ten-week internships with our community partners in South and West Dallas.

Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via SMU’s Residential Commons to address community needs focusing on South and West Dallas. The initiative is a long-term, University-wide commitment led by students to partner with local residents, organizations and other leaders to positively impact the community. There is equal emphasis on campus and community impact stemming from the initiative.

We are excited to announce the continuation of the Engage Dallas Summer Internship Program for the fourth year. This program provides the opportunity for our community partners to apply to host an internship experience and be matched with a qualified SMU student.  Engage Dallas provides compensation to interns, so that the community partners do not have to. Supporting this project allows donors to contribute to meaningful career exploration opportunities for Mustangs while investing into our South and West Dallas community organizations.

Visit our site here to make a donation today to benefit these summer internships and our Engage Dallas community partners.

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Uncategorized

SMU Engage Dallas Launched Winter Alternative Breaks

Making an Impact: SMU’s 2025 Alternative Break Focuses on Service and Community 

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of SMU’s Alternative Break program during winter break! This transformative experience took place January 13-17, 2025. The program, hosted through a partnership between SMU’s Engage Dallas and the Social and Intercultural Engagement (SCIE) office, invited SMU students to dedicate a week of service in West and South Dallas, making a tangible difference in our local community. 

Engage Dallas is a university-wide program rooted in SMU’s Residential Commons system. It connects students with place-based community engagement opportunities in South and West Dallas, aligning with specific community-identified needs to foster deeper relationships between the university and the city. 

A Tradition of Service 

The mission of Alternative Breaks is to provide quality service experience and awareness to all SMU community members, creating active citizens through education, direct service, and reflection. An active citizen is a person whose community becomes a priority in values and life choices that benefit the community through organizing or joining small groups of thoughtful citizens committed to continual education, direct service, advocacy, and philanthropy.  

This week-long program embraced a student-led, group-based approach to volunteering, emphasizing collaboration, shared meals, and reflective debrief sessions. These sessions are critical for understanding the broader impact of service and brainstorming sustainable ways to address persistent issues affecting marginalized communities in Dallas. 

Focus Areas: Food Insecurity and Community Empowerment 

This Alternative Break focused on food insecurity and community empowerment, two Engage Dallas community-identified needs connected to Boaz and McElvaney Residential Commons. 

Nine students devoted their time and energy to volunteering at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand in West and South Dallas,Our Savior Episcopal Church and Community Gardens, and Sunny South Community Garden. These organizations provide essential resources, cultivate community bonds, and work tirelessly to uplift their neighborhoods. 

Looking Ahead 

We are immensely proud to have these students represent SMU during the break and look forward to seeing the impact of their efforts. This trip is not only about service but also about building connections, reflecting on personal growth, and becoming part of the change happening in our community. 

We invite the entire SMU community to follow along and support this incredible endeavor as we work together to address critical issues and empower those around us. If you would like to stay connected with SMU Engage Dallas, please follow us on Instagram @SMU.Engage.Dallas and @alternativebreakssmu and subscribe to the Engage Dallas blog!