Transform Dallas prepares a surprise for Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center students

Aleandra Lyons, Mill City
Community Association President

Transform Dallas volunteers on Saturday made improvements at the Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center, hoping to wow students on Monday with aesthetic updates.

Teen volunteers planted trees, laid down mulch and added shrubs and decorative rocks. They also transformed the school library into their own colorful designs.

Aleandra Lyons, the Mill City Community Association president, said she was thrilled to see youth volunteering at the elementary school. She said she started volunteering when she was a youngster, and now that she's in her fifties, volunteering is still a special part of her life.

Sandra Garza helps with landscaping at Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center.

Working alongside Lyons and planting trees was teen volunteer Sandra Garza, who said it was important to engage with communities.

Garza is a member of a church in Fort Worth. "We're here because my youth leader, who is my brother, told us that it's time to take a stand," said Sandra, 17. "So he told us to take a stand, so we have to move and help others before us. And that's why we're here."

Youth Pastor Henry Garza brought teens from Fort Worth to work at Transform Dallas.

Garza's 23-year-old brother Henry said that they wanted to make an impact. "I thought this would teach them a little something about the importance of community service and just sticking together as a community. We're doing it for the children... They really love kids, and we're just really excited to see their reaction Monday when they come in and see that their school has undergone some changes."

Lyons told Dallas Leadership Foundation earlier that in Mill City, “We are doing positive things to create a positive environment for the residents who are here and to encourage new people to move in.”

Well, today's volunteers came to help.