Community Engagement Specialist
What started as a small garden in a vacant lot in this little inner-city neighborhood, quickly turned into the City of Dallas’ first urban farm. The original farm is 1.25 acres boldly situated in the South Dallas community of Bonton, an area ravaged by generational poverty, crime, and classified by the USDA as a food desert. In 2016, a local family, the Treffingers, were inspired by the mission of Bonton Farms and generously donated 20 acres of land located about 10 miles from the original farm. They loved it so much that when another 20 acre plot adjacent to the original one became available, they purchased it and donated it for further expansion of Bonton Farms. That 40 acre site is what we call "The Bonton Farms Extension". It happens to be one of the largest urban farms in the Unites States. In this unlikely setting, we are cultivating a sustainable and vibrant urban farm with the mission to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope.
- Conduct outreach activities to invite individuals and families to participate in Wellness Center programs.
- Build trusting relationships with residents to encourage their involvement in classes and services.
- Distribute and create program information through flyers, events, social media, and direct engagement in the neighborhood.
- Serve as a welcoming presence at the Wellness Center and a consistent point of contact for participants.
- Assist with scheduling, logistics, and setup for all Wellness Center classes, workshops, and events.
- Support instructors and facilitators with materials, participant check-in, and class flow.
- Step in to lead group activities or classes as needed, ensuring continuity of programming.
- Maintain program calendars and communicate updates to staff, partners, and community members.
- Help residents connect to Bonton Farms programs and partner services (e.g., workforce development, financial wellness, healthcare, and nutrition).
- Provide informal guidance and support to community members seeking wellness resources.
- Encourage participants to set and work toward personal wellness goals, offering encouragement and referrals.
- Record attendance, participation, and outreach activities in an accurate and timely manner.
- Collect feedback from participants to help shape and improve programs.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Director of Community Health & Wellness regarding program engagement and outcomes.
- Work closely with program staff, volunteers, and external partners to ensure successful program delivery.
- Participate in community events and partner meetings to expand outreach and visibility.
- Support collaborative efforts that strengthen Bonton Farms’ impact in the community.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education or training in social services, education, or community programs preferred.
- Prior experience in community engagement, outreach, education, or program support.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Comfortable leading small groups or activities when needed.
- Organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple priorities.
- Knowledge of South Dallas community and resources is a strong asset.
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Competent computer skills (MS Office, email, scheduling software).
Core Competencies of the Community Engagement Specialist
- Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Understanding of how culture influences participation, learning, and health behaviors.
- Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with residents, local leaders, organizations, and partners.
- Encourages participation in classes and programs through outreach, follow-up, and personal connection.
- Provides support and motivation to help participants stay engaged in their wellness journey.
- Works well with staff, partners, and community groups to coordinate programming and resources.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to explain program opportunities clearly to individuals and groups.
- Ability to identify barriers to participation and help residents find solutions.
- Advocates for individuals to receive appropriate resources and support.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the success of the Wellness Center and its programs.
Somos un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades y todos los candidatos calificados recibirán consideración por el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, religión, sexo, origen nacional, estado de discapacidad, estado de veterano protegido o cualquier otra característica protegida por la ley.
Our Mission
Transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm.
Vision
The change in Bonton becomes the change in the World.
Core Principal
Our values are bathed in our Christian faith, born out of a passion for people and guide how we put them into action.
What is Bonton?
For the last 200 years, racial injustice and systemic oppression prevented opportunities in Bonton, a community in South Dallas, that were a given elsewhere. People here experienced higher rates of diabetes, stroke and cancer, and 48% of residents lived in poverty. Residents have been denied access to the seven human essentials that are necessary to survive and thrive - health & wellness, economic stability, safe and affordable housing, transportation, a sense of belonging, education and access to fair credit. Today, the community is transforming, and healing is coming from within.
Who We Are
Bonton Farms is on a mission is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where health, wholeness, and opportunity are the norm for all people. While many nonprofits work to solve one issue, Bonton Farms focuses on place-based interventions to build community capacity for long-term change. As the ecosystem of community resources improves, the neighbors in Bonton use these resources to build successful, self-sufficient lives, ultimately interrupting the impact of decades of disenfranchisement. Bonton Farms’ programs focus on the all of the seven human essentials that the community has been denied for so long. We invite you to come and join us in the transformation!
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