Alexis Dubree

(PLANO, Texas – April 28, 2024) The Local Good Center in Plano has had to work hard to continue to uplift local communities in need during times of inflation and rising costs of living.

            A nonprofit that opened in 2021, the Local Good Center offers classes that range from citizenship and English as a second language courses, as well as classes that teach job readiness and wellness skills. These programs are offered at low to no cost to increase accessibility for any individual who might need their services.

            “Oftentimes Plano is looked at as a very affluent county exclusively,” Executive Director Julissa Estrada said. “While that is true, you know, Plano is a very affluent county, there’s still a ton of need and unseen and unheard voices in our very own community.”

            Plano’s population was made up of 28.5 percent of people who were born in a foreign country from 2018 to 2021, according to the United States Census Bureau.

This is reflected in the Local Good Center’s diverse makeup, with individuals attending classes and events originating from 19 different countries, including Syria, Taiwan, Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela.

            “100 percent of our community in the English class program participants are immigrants,” Estrada said. “Our programs are just targeted to people in need and a lot of the need comes from communities of color.”

            The Local Good Center has proven to be a great resource for any non-English speaking immigrants who are looking to gain citizenship and build life skills while on a tight budget. The need for these types of programs has only risen with the declining economy—according to a survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the LA Times in 2023, one in three immigrants reported their households struggled to afford basic necessities. Immigrants who were Black, Hispanic or undocumented made up a large portion of this percentage.

            “It’s harder and harder for young families to stay here,” Estrada said. “That’s one of those things we always like to make people aware because they always think, oh, well, the need is in South Dallas. And we say, no, no, there’s need in our very own backyard.”

            Nonprofit organizations are prone to facing challenges such as volunteer shortages and budgetary issues. But unlike the majority of organizations that seek to help with the symptoms of poverty, such as food banks, the Local Good Center has striven to tackle the roots of poverty, which requires deeper investment.

            “Something maybe a little unique for us is that we are a long-term program, so we are not like a one-and-done,” Estrada said. “For us, we walk with people for a long time. Usually it’s years. If they’re an English student, they’re going to be in there for at least a year throughout that entire program.”

            The organization has taken steps to ensure that the Local Good Center’s services are easily accessible to anyone who might be interested in their programs.

            “We’re super, like, phone friendly, because we know that not everybody may have a computer at home,” Estrada said. “But almost everybody has a cell phone.”

            For those who wish to get involved, the Local Good Center’s website encourages volunteers to take action, and there’s also an opportunity to make a financial donation.

            The Local Good Center celebrated its second year anniversary towards the end of 2023, according to a feature story by Plano Magazine, which means it’s only in the beginning stages of community support and its goal to eliminate poverty, one individual at a time.