Our Story

Margaret James, founder and Executive Director of The Metropolitan Dream Center, tells the story of The Dream Center.

My name is Margaret James and I’m a native of Greensburg, Louisiana. I’m also the founder and Executive Director of The Metropolitan Dream Center Incorporated.

Growing up was difficult. Initially I had no idea that we were homeless until later in life.

My father was very abusive and was an alcoholic. My mom basically reared nine children on her own but she was a woman of faith. She constantly encouraged us to always put God first and to follow your dreams.

Recognizing that there were so many neighbors in our neighborhood that actually gave to us food and clothing, never understanding that we were poor. My mom was constantly instilling in her children to always remember from whence you’ve come and to always bless those who have not.

One of the things that inspired me to get to where I am now is first of all constantly relying upon the Lord for strength and asking Him to show me and direct me into which way I am to go.

The other thing that has certainly been helpful to me is recognizing that there are so many more people out there that are struggling.

I became a juvenile probation officer and for many many years I couldn’t understand why a lot of our youth were real offending and later found out that it was because they did not have adequate clothing. So, at that point I started going into my pocket and reaching out to other social service agencies to help provide food and to help provide clothing to these young people.

Never knowing that God was grooming me then for where I am right now. And because of that, Greater Memorial House of Hope Outreach Ministry was formed. This was a ministry that was formed in my home church for seventeen years. We provided services especially in zip code 75216.

I’ll never forget that during that time of ministry, I was on my way to Bible study one Wednesday night and there was a lady that was sitting on the curb. Her clothes were torn and I stopped and I asked her if she was okay. I saw that she was bleeding and she said “Ma’am I am so hungry. I am tired of this life. I am tired. I am a woman of the night and I want to change my life.” 

After introducing her to Jesus; after introducing her to another life, God transformed her. I am so grateful to this day.

As time went on, I decided that “Maybe God, this is not want you want me to do,” because I was not getting the support that I felt that I needed to continue to reach out to help people.

So I took a step back. After doing that, I was stricken with a heart attack.

When I had the heart attack and was lying in Methodist Hospital and the doctor said to me, “You have so much blockage and heart valves that are leaking that we are not able to do anything else. At that point I began to weep and I looked up toward heaven and I said, “God, I need you.” And God said, “I chose you to do my will and until you surrender your life will not be the same.”

At that point, Metropolitan Dream Center was formed. I immediately started reaching out to other churches, other pastors, ministry leaders, and other non-profit organizations and shared with them what God has shared with me. And that is to go and feed the homeless and the hungry.

From that point, Metropolitan Dream Center has been booming.

I’ve been in the ministry for 39 years. Metropolitan Dream Center has been in existence for 28 years. God is so awesome!

I’m so grateful to our Board of Directors, the many, many volunteers; the churches; the pastors; the ministry leaders; other non-profit organizations and to many of those that are out there. To God be the glory!