Linda Walker had a vision to provide the neighborhood children of the South Dallas and Fair Park areas, with a positive environment and positive role models.

Thus, in 1986, a donated two-bedroom apartment on Jeffries Street became the Learning Center. Control Data Corporation donated computers and the Crime Watch Committee volunteered their time to tutor the neighborhood children each day.

Presently, the Jeffries Street Leaning Center, a non-profit organization, is housed in a free standing, debt free facility located at the corner of Grand and Meyers Streets. The Learning Center provides educational and mentoring programs for low income and under privileged children and adults. During the past 15 years, over 5,000 children and adults have been helped. Today, there are almost 100 children enrolled in the various programs offered at the Learning Center.

Many of those who have participated in the programs have graduated, gone off to college, and have often returned to the Learning Center to become mentors to the younger children, thus helping to break the cycle of poverty.

The mission of Jeffries Street Learning Center (JSLC) is to improve the quality of life for the residents of South Dallas by providing educational programs for multi-generational families residing in the community.  The center's goal is to help families break the cycle of poverty through education and empowerment.