First Preston’s community outreach “We Care” program focuses on promoting homeownership and helping families become self-sufficient. Good jobs and the pride of homeownership contribute to building strong communities. We provide significant financial and volunteer support to the following non-profit organizations that share our vision of homeownership and support people in achieving their full potential.

Habitat for Humanity International – First Preston’s partnership with Habitat allows our company to help eradicate substandard housing. Providing substantial volunteer and financial support, First Preston has sponsored and built 15 Habitat homes. We are a National Corporate Sponsor for Habitat as well as sponsors of Habitat Women Build, Congress Building America, and the Jimmy Carter Work Project. First Preston holds a position on Habitat’s International Women Build Steering Council and coordinates homeowner information classes with Habitat affiliates to increase affordable homeownership.

The Grameen Foundation, USA - The Grameen Foundation reduces poverty by providing micro-loans to women and men to start their own businesses. Peer support, encouragement and loans provided by the Grameen Foundation allow these entrepreneurs to build businesses, support their families and contribute to their communities. First Preston helped launch the micro-loan program in Dallas where over 300 people have received loans for daycare, tailoring, printing, catering, photography and technology services, while maintaining a nearly 100 percent loan repayment record. Many of First Preston’s employees, vendors and subcontractors have also made generous contributions to support the micro-loan program of the Grameen Foundation. First Preston holds a position on the Dallas Board of Directors of this foundation.

With Ownership Wealth (WOW) Initiative - To assist minority families in achieving the American Dream of homeownership, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation initiated the WOW program. WOW is a collaborative program among real estate professionals, lending institutions, housing related businesses and community groups, including faith-based organizations, to provide access to affordable housing to minority families. To help families transition from renting to owning their own home, First Preston provides home purchasing education at WOW events and sponsors local homeownership seminars.

YWCA – The child care, health care screenings and financial empowerment services of the YWCA are essential to many women and girls working to become economically self-sufficient. First Preston supports the YWCA with financial and volunteer resources and holds a position on the Community Advisory Board of the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas. The funds donated by First Preston and our generous employees, vendors and subcontractors have allowed the YWCA to provide free breast and cervical cancer screenings, quality child care for working mothers in accordance with their ability to pay and educational programs on personal finances and family budgeting.

Dallas Women’s Foundation (DWF) – The Dallas Women’s Foundation funds programs that support women and children in the north Texas area. First Preston’s contributions to the DWF have provided for domestic violence intervention, shelter for victims of domestic violence, drug abuse interventions for mothers and their children and other programs to support women in their goal of economic independence. First Preston holds a position on the Advisory Board of the Dallas Women’s Foundation.

Cornerstone Development Corporation - This faith-based organization was started over 10 years ago to restore the south Dallas community by offering services to homeless families, a welfare to work program, food bank, child care, prison-to-work transition and medical services. First Preston provides financial contributions and volunteers to support the work of the corporation and Cornerstone Baptist Church as they reach out to help some of the most disenfranchised residents of Dallas.

Select HUD Community Programs

Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) – HUD offers to community and faith-based organizations the opportunity to acquire HUD homes in revitalization areas for resale at discounts up to 30 percent of the appraised value. In turn, non-profits can invest in property rehabilitation and resale to low to moderate-income families. To find out how a non-profit organization can qualify for this program, click here to link to the HUD website for further instructions and details on this program.

Good Neighbor Program (GNP) – Known by many as the $1 Homes Sales to Local Governments, this program provides local governments the opportunity to purchase HUD homes which have been listed for sale over six months for $1. To find out more about how your municipality can take advantage of this program, click here to access the HUD requirements.