I wanted to start the series with some of the OG’s of Central Dallas Ministries, people who were able to see the organization evolve into CitySquare. One of the things I always appreciated about CitySquare, especially as an HR leader, was seeing people leave the organization and return. I think that says a lot about an organization when people want to go another round.
I’d heard about JR before we met. Her reputation as a healer, a warrior, a scholar, and so much more, preceded her. Not only did her daughter, Johnice, work in the housing arm at CitySquare, but everyone who knew her raved about her. I was fortunate to meet her after she’d left CitySquare, where she worked as a nurse and shaped the early stages of what would become Community Health Services, to attend TCU’s Brite Divinity School. After earning her Master of Divinity degree, she returned to CitySquare in 2014 to serve as our Community Health Nurse, where she worked in our clinic, which by this time was co-run by Baylor Scott & White, in addition to leading other health initiatives. It was an honor to welcome her back to CitySquare and to get to know and love her. JR cared for all of us (staff and neighbors) in a specific way; she would come to my office to ensure I had my flu shot and encourage me to take naps on Sundays to prepare for the week. She is one of one.
I’ve included below a summary of our interview.
Where are you from, and how does that influence the work you do?
Lubbock Texas. I was raised by a single mother, and we lived in a duplex next door to my grandmother. Growing up, we ALWAYS showed up for those in my community- whether it was comforting those who were bereaved or sharing a good deal on something at the store. I didn’t like it then, but over time, I appreciated that foundation of sharing and giving back.
When did you work at CitySquare, and what was your role?
I started as a volunteer at the Central Dallas Ministries Clinic in 1989 after moving to Dallas to work for Aetna as a precept nurse and to serve in the women’s ministry at Central Dallas Church, which was part of Central Dallas Ministries. Six years later, I was hired to work for them after CDM sent me to Chicago for training in Parish Nursing. I was one of the first Parish nurses in Dallas, where I trained churches in East Dallas on lay health programming while also working at the clinic. This opportunity allowed me to integrate my faith and my work. When I returned in 2014, I was the Community Health Nurse until 2023.
Why did you work at CitySquare?
Knowing your why is important, especially in ministry. Being a teen parent has stayed with me. I see myself in the people in the community. I remember what it was like to not have insurance, have sick kids, and have nowhere to go for services.
What made CitySquare special to you?
We tried our best to meet people where they were. The three words I would use to describe CitySquare are love, compassion, and faith.
What is the legacy of your contributions to CitySquare?
Community Nursing and being used by God for whatever God wants me to do. In 2000, I started the YES program, a sexual education program at Central Dallas Ministries, alongside Donald Parish Jr., who is now the pastor of True Lee Missionary Baptist Church. This was in response to the community’s needs and requests for this type of program and support. The program is still going as a comprehensive mentoring program where we stay in community with the youth for life, and we now have our first PhD student at Stanford.
What are you doing now?
I continue to work with programs that started at CitySquare to ensure continued care for the community. I partner with Catholic Charities to provide health services to residents at the Cottages (a former CitySquare Housing community), and I am part of Baylor Scott and White’s Street Medicine Team, where we provide primary care to unhoused neighbors in the community.
