Behind Every Door

Want to know why we strive to know the stories behind every door in the low-income communities we serve? Click play!  The full video is available on our website: www.behindeverydoor.org! 

At Cedar Crest, we believe in more than just providing services—we believe in being a consistent presence in our community. Our doors are always open, and our team is here to engage, empower, and support every neighbor who walks through them. With the mission of Behind Every Door guiding us, we focus on building lasting relationships and creating meaningful connections. We’re here to listen, help, and make a real difference in your life. Whether it’s through our diverse programs, dedicated staff, or welcoming environment, we strive to uplift our community every day. Come see what makes Cedar Crest a place where everyone can grow and thrive!

Meet Shalaan Dungey, our Youth Development Director at Cedar Crest Community Center! With over 25 years of diverse experience in religious and corporate settings, Shalaan brings dedication, compassion, and a deep understanding of community needs. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and French from Xavier University of Louisiana and enjoys riding her motorcycle in her leisure time. At Cedar Crest, Shalaan ensures a welcoming environment and quality activities for our youth. Her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to spiritual growth help our children thrive. Join us in welcoming Shalaan to our community!

🌟 Meet Phillip Crawford, our Discipleship Director at Cedar Crest Community Center! 🌟 Hailing from Montrose, Alabama, Phillip brings a wealth of experience in leadership and discipleship. With a master’s degree in Leadership and Ethics from John Brown University, he has served in various impactful roles, including Leadership Director at Chick-fil-A in Cockrell Hill and director of Higher Ground. Phillip is dedicated to guiding the spiritual growth of our community. He designs curriculums, leads discussions, and ensures our community's spiritual needs are met with compassion and wisdom. His life vision is to invest in people's lives so they can know, grow, and show God's word. Join us in welcoming Phillip to Cedar Crest Community Center! #CedarCrestCommunity #MeetTheTeam 

🌟 Meet Kim Elmore, our Cedar Crest Enrichment Coordinator! ⁠ ⁠ Joining the team in August 2017 to implement the enrichment portion of our strategy with the youth, Kim Elmore brought with her over 35 years of experience in education and administration, including public and private school, as well as homeschooling her own children. She has written homeschooling and art curriculum and co-authored Pass the TExES, a test prep manual for Texas teachers exams, EC-6. Her degrees and certifications include elementary education, administration, art, and dance (K-12). ⁠ ⁠ Additionally, she has taught a variety of dance and drill team classes throughout the US. Kim's passion is instilling the love of the arts in children as well as nurturing creative play. Her goal for the enrichment component is to provide opportunities for discovery and imagination for the children at Behind Every Door through quality artists, venues, and creative play that will plant seeds for creativity in later years. Kim and her husband Paul, both graduates from Hillcrest High School and Dallas natives, have been married for 38 years and have 4 grown children. ⁠ ⁠ Currently, Kim Elmore is the Enrichment Coordinator, dedicated to building relationships with children and youth. Kim provides exposure to the arts in many forms by contracting artists, teaching, and organizing field trips. She inspires the application of creative thinking to all areas of life. Kim ensures that the artists are not only skilled in their craft and excellent in teaching children but also relatable and able to connect with the students. Programming occurs within the context of relationships with the artists, who must understand and execute Behind Every Door’s philosophy of working with children. Kim's role is vital in fostering a creative and supportive environment for the youth.⁠ ⁠ Join us in welcoming Kim as she continues her mission to serve and uplift the Southern Dallas community with Behind Every Door at the Cedar Crest Community Center.⁠ ⁠ #CedarCrestCommunity #MeetTheDirector #CommunityLeadership

🌟 Meet Ci’Andria Jefferson, the heart and soul behind Cedar Crest Community Center! 🌟 As our Director, Ci’Andria oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and vibrant environment for everyone. With over 18 years of leadership experience, she’s dedicated to fostering community engagement and holistic development. Born in Fort Worth, TX, Ci’Andria is a proud University of North Texas alum and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Before joining us, she led the Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, raising over $200,000 in scholarships and development opportunities. Ci’Andria’s motto is simple: love what you do, love God, and love the people you serve. Her passion and dedication make her an invaluable asset to our community. Join us in welcoming Ci’Andria as she continues her mission to serve and uplift the Southern Dallas community with Behind Every Door. #CedarCrestCommunity #MeetTheDirector #CommunityLeadership #BehindEveryDoor

Join us for our next Adult Budgeting Class at the Cedar Crest Community Center, taught by your neighbors at Veritex Community Bank!  ⁠ Topic: “Why Does Your Credit Score Matter?” 🗓 ⁠ Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024⁠ ⏰ Time: 6 pm-8 pm ⁠ 👥 For Adults (21+)⁠ ⁠ Learn the importance of your credit score and how it impacts your financial future. Don’t miss this chance to get ahead and take control of your finances!⁠ ⁠ #CedarCrest #VeritexBank #FinancialEducation

Join us in making a difference at the new Cedar Crest Community Center, powered by Behind Every Door! 🌟 Volunteer your time and skills to support our community’s growth and empowerment. To sign up, email Emily at emily@behindeverydoor.org. Together, let’s create positive change in Cedar Crest! #VolunteerOpportunity #CommunityEngagement 🤝✨

🎉 Summer Fun at Cedar Crest Community Center! 🌞⁠ ⁠ Our summer camps are buzzing with excitement, offering everything from basketball and STEM learning to arts and crafts and team-building activities. Kids love the variety and energy of our programs!⁠ ⁠ Become a part of our vibrant community and enjoy our fantastic services year-round. Sign up to be a member today! For more details, email emily@behindeverydoor.org

June was Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to break the stigma and promote well-being. At Cedar Crest Community Center, we believe that supporting men's mental health is vital to our mission of fostering safe, stable, and supportive communities. ⁠ June might be over, but the advocacy never stops! Cedar Crest offers healthcare services from LightPath Health Center and special programs like Bible + Balling every Sunday from 3 pm-5 pm. WE ARE HERE for you. Together, we're creating lasting change within our communities. For more details about our programs + services, email emily@behindeverydoor.org.⁠ ⁠ #MensMentalHealth #BehindEveryDoor #CommunitySupport