Empowering Oak Cliff, one pair of kicks at a time
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Jesse Acosta, co-founder of Pasos for Oak Cliff, turned his love of sneakers into a movement for youth empowerment in his hometown. Photo: Gregory "Sneakerhead" Castillo/Axios
As a kid growing up in Oak Cliff, Jesse Acosta remembers how it felt to walk into school wearing off-brand shoes. Years later, as a high school teacher, he saw his students face the same stigma.
Why it matters: In 2020, Acosta and his partner Alejandra Zendejas launched Pasos for Oak Cliff, initially to provide shoes to neighborhood kids.
- The organization has provided more than 5,000 pairs of high-quality shoes to local kids and created a youth program that blends academics, arts and career readiness through the lens of sneaker culture.
How it started: What began as a pandemic-era shoe drive has grown into a movement.
- In August 2020, the couple raised $4,600 in one week and gave out 150 pairs of sneakers before deciding to formalize the effort.
- "In Oak Cliff, sneaker culture is huge. A fresh pair can really boost a child's confidence," Acosta tells Axios. "It was supposed to be one event, but more families kept asking when the next one was."
The big picture: Pasos raised $27,780 on North Texas Giving Day in September, slightly below its $28,000 goal — reflecting the deep community ties the organization has built, even as many nonprofits navigate a challenging funding environment.
What's next: Acosta says his next goal is to open a community center where the organization can host events, workshops and volunteer efforts without relying on borrowed space.
- The center would also allow Pasos to expand its impact by offering job readiness training, financial literacy and other support for parents.
- "Our goal isn't just to give out shoes," Acosta said. "It's to offer a step up for the child and parent."
How to help: Pasos is collecting donations for the holiday season.
- Starting Thursday, the organization is partnering with Four Corners Brewing Co. to host a toy drive. Community members can drop off new, unwrapped toys to help make the holidays brighter for local children.
- In December, Pasos will launch its annual Kicks of Kindness campaign, a sneaker giveaway that provides hundreds of students with brand-new shoes for the holidays.