MANSFIELD — Community improvement and morale has been a topic of discussion for many years throughout the city of Mansfield.
On Thursday night, members of the community gathered at the Mary McLeod- Bethune Community Center to discuss these concerns in an event called Dare to Dream.
In the past, there have been numerous programs across the city that have attempted to create community and a sense of unity among Mansfield residents. Programs such as Fun in the Parks, Neighborhood Watch, community park cleanups, and many other events to get members involved and active in their neighborhoods.
Several community members spoke, as did Kathy Holdway of Circle of Ten based in Edom, Texas. A Circle of Ten is a non-profit organization focused on empowering communities and providing them with the tools to develop and grow underserved communities.
Holdway challenges those she interacts with to “Dare to Dream” about a better future for themselves and the areas that surround them.
Holdway doesn’t aim to enter communities to “fix” them, but rather provide residents with the tools and resources needed to make improvements themselves.
“We don’t tell people what to do, our opinion doesn’t count. I’d rather have 15 teenagers from an area tell me what they need.” Holdway said. “The people who work, play, and live there are the people who count the most.”
Rocio Mata has only lived in Mansfield for about a year but was immediately enthralled with helping and connecting to Mansfield and its people. Mata, a Social Impact Consultant works towards community development through grant writing.
“I see the community that my son has on his basketball team at Senior High, and I want to duplicate that on a city-wide level.” Mata said.
The presentation served as a community needs assessment and prioritization meeting.
The event was designed to give the community a voice —a space to be heard, to express concerns, and to help identify the most urgent local needs. The goal is to validate and quantify your input, transforming it into actionable data that can support funding efforts and drive collaborative, sustainable solutions.
