Partnership in Action: Transforming a Shuttered School into the Esperanza Community Center

In the Esperanza neighborhood along Dallas’ northern border, a shuttered school is becoming something new — and necessary. Richardson ISD (RISD), the city of Dallas and Dallas County have partnered to transform the former J. Frank Dobie Elementary campus into the Esperanza Community Center, a hub that will bring child care, after-school programming, health care, adult classes, and workforce supports under one roof within walking distance for many families.  

As the Lab Report Dallas reports, Dallas County will operate the center while the city develops an adjacent park, and programming will include a Parkland clinic, a Dallas County senior center, RISD Family Literacy offerings, and classes from Dallas College, among others.

This effort reflects what happens when public partners plan together and use facilities strategically. Faced with enrollment shifts and a tightening budget, school system leaders made the difficult decision to end classes at Dobie at the end of last school year. But, not wanting to leave this cherished community hub idle, the district also moved quickly to collaborate with Dallas County to re-focus the site on services families have asked for — from child care to English classes to job training — so students can thrive.

“We were proud to partner with GroundworkDFW to better understand the early childhood needs of Esperanza,” said Commit Director of Strategic Initiatives Turner LaBrie. “That process illuminated opportunities to provide critical services to families and meaningfully informed the programming of the new Esperanza Community Center.”

Projects like this sit alongside the broader, long-term facilities planning RISD is pursuing through its November 4, 2025 bond election. The board called a $1.4 billion proposal with three propositions that prioritize safety, instruction and technology — another avenue for making smart, student-centered investments in spaces where teaching and learning happen.

We’re encouraged by how RISD and Dallas County listened to residents, aligned resources, and kept a neighborhood school’s front door open in a new way — one that meets families where they are and strengthens the pathway from early childhood to a living-wage future for our kids.  

Now, you can join in celebrating these local leaders for this successful collaboration by visiting the Esperanza Community Center open house Saturday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. Come see the space, meet service providers, and learn how this cross-sector partnership supports students and families today and over the long term.

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