One of our "vision verses" at Village Oaks is from the book of Jeremiah. It is a call in part to "seek the peace" of the city. And so, to see little encouraging signs along the way is...well, encouraging!
We had an incredible Community Meeting on Tuesday evening. There were 56 people present to support (and celebrate) a safer, cleaner, and better community!
We kicked off the meeting with a report from the Dallas Police Department. They announced that there had been no reported crime in the previous 30 days! That makes 60 straight days of unreported crime at Village Oaks! At this announcement, the room erupted with applause and cheering. We felt like we were at a pep rally.
After DPD spoke, we heard from DART about their efforts to support our community. In April, DART partially suspended a route that serves our area. As a community, we asked that this decision be re-evaluated and that we be included in the process. DART agreed, and we have been working together towards a safer bus route. On Tuesday, DART was present to announce their investment in our community: new bus stops, better lighting, and a partial reinstatement of the route! Again, the room burst in to applause and cheering. The pep rally continued.
We finished the meeting with a word from a resident. He shared that he enjoyed living in this community and that it was improving. He thanked DART for their willingness to listen and invest in our community. He celebrated where we have come to and closed out our pep rally with cheering and applause.
We still have a ways to go, but we also have much to celebrate. Let's not lose sight of the work that God is already doing here, and let's be sure to celebrate often the work God is doing!
-- Will Dowell & Dean Wilson
