Watermark CDC exists to put the love of Christ into action by providing job training and financial support so neighbors in South Dallas and across our city can build steady careers and strong financial futures. 🙌
Since we launched in 2020, by God’s grace, homes and cars have been purchased, degrees earned, careers grown, businesses built, and through it all, many faithful disciples have abided in Jesus together.
But the need across our city is still great. If you’d like to invest your time or resources in creating life-changing opportunities for your neighbors, please visit watermarkcdc.org and partner with us. Let’s build lasting change in Dallas together.
Our Executive Director, Carson Smith, visited with U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins and Alan Dorantes, of the Dallas Economic Development Corporation, last night to discuss the barriers and challenges our neighbors are facing in Dallas.
The leaders are working to provide thoughtful and effective economic solutions focused on opportunity and empowerment.
There is tremendous potential when purpose-driven leaders from various sectors come together to serve our neighbors with a practical approach.
Join us in praying for where these new connections and introductions will take us!
🎥 Meet Preston! From incarceration to homeowner, Preston’s journey with Financial Catalyst reflects what’s possible when stability, support, and determination come together.
After returning home, Preston faced the challenge of rebuilding, not just financially, but in identity, direction, and confidence. Through consistent effort, financial coaching, and intentional saving, he began to redefine what his future could look like.
Today, Preston is a homeowner, something that once felt out of reach. His story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance, support, and the right tools, lasting change is possible.
Read Preston’s inspiring story through our link in bio.
Our bank partner, Texas Capital Bank, recently spent time at Watermark South Dallas campus —stepping into the spaces where lives are being changed, and relationships are built every day.
Together, we explored how to deepen their impact and continue showing up for our neighbors in meaningful ways through economic empowerment.
We’re incredibly grateful for partners like them. Their presence, their willingness to engage, and their belief in this mission are making a real and lasting difference.
We want to celebrate our employer partner, Well Grounded Coffee.
Our partnership isn’t transactional—it’s a shared mission. Together, we’re creating real pathways for Job Connection Program (JCP) participants to step into meaningful employment with confidence and support. When we say they help with job placement, we mean they open doors, speak into potential, and create environments where people are seen, valued, and given a real opportunity.
Well Grounded Coffee is doing something special. Their heart for women seeking work goes beyond open positions. They create space for dignity—inviting women in, teaching skills and crafts, compensating them for their time, and building relationships rooted in genuine care. It’s not just about coffee—it’s about restoration, community, and opportunity.
We’ve been grateful to walk alongside them in this work. From Natalie and Michael, Well Grounded Coffee’s business owners, pouring into our career seekers during an employer panel, to coming alongside their team with three laptops for baristas continuing their college education after a need was shared—this is what true partnership looks like.
Better together.
At The Business Cohort+ celebration, the room was filled with more than milestones—it was filled with purpose. ✨
Each of the 13 business owners took time to reflect on how they can live as a light through their business, or how God is already using them to impact others. They shared stories, dreams, and the hopes they’re carrying forward, not just as business owners, but as leaders in their communities.
“My business before The Business Cohort was all over the place. Now, I feel that I have a family and support that I can trust,”— Taylor Tucker, owner of B.A.E. Med Spa.
The 12 business coaches showed up in a powerful way, speaking encouragement, truth, and care into each of The Business Cohort+ members, reminding them they’re not building alone.
“I remembered recently, during my first cohort, how I had prayed and asked God to send people to help me, and that when He does, I would be faithful and apply what they give me. He has done that, and I have grown personally and in my business.” —Ty Howard, owner and chef of Cake Me Crazy.
When business, faith, and community align, real impact happens. ✨
Job Connection Program’s Work Foundations workshop number 8 is underway!! 🙌
For many of our career seekers, something as simple as a professional headshot can feel out of reach—but it’s often the very thing that helps open doors.
Last week, we were grateful for volunteer photographer Erin Schreyer, who made it possible to provide professional headshots at no cost. She didn’t just take photos—she created a space where people felt comfortable, confident, and seen… many for the very first time.
This is more than a photo.
It’s confidence.
It’s opportunity.
It's a step forward.
Earlier this month, we gathered in South Dallas to CELEBRATE a major milestone—the completion of the restructured 15-month journey in Financial Catalyst. 🎉
Fifteen months of commitment.
Fifteen months of learning, growth, and accountability.
Fifteen months of walking together toward financial freedom.
And at the center of it all—people whose lives are being changed.
“Life before Financial Catalyst was filled with addiction, idolatry, and uncertainty…” Alexis shared. “The moment that clicked for me was realizing my choices were impacting my family.”
“My life was chaotic… buried in debt… robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Daffiny said. “But I realized God would not want us to be chained to debt—and everything began to change.”
What we celebrated was more than completion—it was transformation.
And the impact was clear:
• Completion of the restructured 15-month journey in Financial Catalyst
• 87% retention rate—the highest in initiative history
• First class to consistently track expenses every session
• First to openly share testimonies with one another
The celebration also highlighted the community behind the journey: a dedicated facilitator, a powerful graduate panel, and volunteers who showed up from all walks of life to support and serve.
Our commencement speaker representing his class was Neiman Denson who connected to us through a collaboration with Dallas Leadership Foundation. He participated as steward in this cohort, purchased a truck through the matched savings, and reminded his fellow stewards, this is just the beginning. 💙
Together, they built something rare—a space where no one walked alone.
This wasn’t just a graduation.
It was a celebration of perseverance, community, and lives being made new. 💙
→
• 233 neighbors engaged in 2025
• 89 attended financial education seminars
• 89 residents connected through door-to-door outreach
• 18 banking partners joined the work
Much of this work is happening right outside our South Dallas campus in the nearby Rose Garden, Bertrand, and Dixon Circle communities — where neighbors are opening their doors and taking steps toward financial stability.
Through our Community Financial Advocate, Josue Contreras, trust is built one conversation at a time—helping neighbors move from unbanked to banked, access resources, and make financially informed decisions for their consumer, mortgage, and commercial needs.
Behind every number is a door opened for opportunity.
Becca, my mentor, is great—it’s like having your own personal angel, praying for you to get a job. She keeps me uplifted and positive.”
For Audrey, Becca wasn’t just encouraging—she was the catalyst that turned feeling stuck into moving forward. With someone consistently in her corner, Audrey found the confidence to keep showing up, keep believing, and keep pursuing what’s next.
The training and support she received changed everything. Audrey graduated Work Foundations in Spring 2025 and then Career Coaching in Fall 2025.
Today, Audrey works as a Tax Expert with Intuit and as a Senior Community Service Representative with AARP, where she helps seniors in the community access resources such as employment opportunities, healthcare, and other essential services.
Join us in walking alongside more Career Seekers like Audrey—so no one has to do it alone. 💙
Great things are happening through Watermark CDC —and it’s because of what God is doing through you.
Thank you to our incredible partners for making this quarter possible. Because of your generosity, our neighbors are gaining the tools, confidence, and community support they need to take meaningful steps forward.
See the impact in our Quarter 3 Impact Report: link in bio.
Our Executive Director, Carson Smith, traveled to DC on Monday to participate in the Religious Liberty Commission, meet with leaders from the Department of Housing & Urban Development and other agencies, and learn from leaders across the country serving in their cities.
One of the big highlights: meeting Clarence Henderson, a courageous civil rights leader who is still working hard to help instill a more perfect union today.
Join us in praying for where these new connections and introductions will take us!
