The Annette G. Strauss Family Gateway Center

Located at 711 South St. Paul Street, the Annette G. Strauss Family Gateway Center provides 30 families with transitional housing for up to 10 weeks.  The Center features 30 bedrooms designed to keep families together, and provide some sense of privacy to counter the unavoidable institutional aspects of shelter living.  The Center features a main dining hall/recreation area, a large fully-staffed kitchen, two computer labs, indoor play areas for children, and an outdoor playground.  While living at the Center, guests receive case management services, counseling, referrals, job search assistance, and parenting and budgeting skills.

The Center’s computer classrooms are staffed by volunteers who are business and educational professionals, as well as college students. The adult area offers training in Microsoft Office programs, letter writing, and resume writing skills. The children's area, Cyberkids Korner, offers reading, language, and math skills improvement programs.

The Center provides children’s activities in the evenings while parents attend counseling or training sessions.   During the day, Vogel Alcove and provides off-site day care.

CHI O KIDZONE

In 2006, Family Gateway dedicated its newest addition to the Center, the Chi O KidZone, made possible by the generosity of the Chi Omega Alumnae of Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Highland Park High School 2005 Freshman Leadership Class.

The playground features large, colorful equipment, and kid-friendly paintings in an enclosed, safe recreation area. 

Chi O Kid Zone

JP MORGAN CHASE “BRIGHT SPACES”

The Family Gateway Center partners with JP Morgan Chase to provide a “Bright Spaces”.  Created by JP Morgan Chase in 2001 as part of their Bright Horizons program, this special room serves as a well-equipped area where homeless children can play.  The room features items like bookshelves and books, art supplies and soft cushions and chairs.  At the Center, the room serves as a private place where parents and children can spend some quality time together in a relaxing, cozy environment.

JP Morgan Chase “Bright Spaces” at
Family Gateway Center