As a result of past successes, the Juvenile Justice System now turns many first-time offenders over to Project Turn Around rather than sending them to jail. Also offered is a private school, after-school recreation, and tutoring for urban youth. Community-based ministries include GED instruction, literacy, job training and placement, legal aid, financial planning, parenting classes, and affordable housing. Yet despite the abundance of outreach and ministry-related services already offered through his church, Tony continues to aim higher. His vision involves expansion of the existing elementary school through 12th grade, and eventually a college extension program.
Plans are underway for more outreach facilities in Oak Cliff.
These would provide room for comprehensive social services for the homeless, unemployed, and pregnant teenagers. Also on the drawing board are facilities for a national Christian training center. There, up to 500 churches would receive training annually on how they can take the Project Turn Around model and implement it in their communities. It s funny, Tony muses, but after I turned down the teaching position at the Seminary and accepted the church-plant, the Seminary called me back. They called me and offered me a part-time teaching position.