In neighborhoods burdened by youth violence, food deserts, and poor air quality, Commissary is Very Necessary (CIVN) is creating safe spaces and real solutions for families. Founded by community activist Marcus Russell to support and protect children in South Dallas apartment complexes, CIVN offers after-school programs, food drives, and workshops to improve health and opportunity. To tackle environmental hazards like ground-level ozone and greenhouse gas emissions – major issues in Dallas that worsen respiratory health and climate risks – CIVN educates residents and builds green infrastructure through community and school gardens. Through its Nature Smart Learning Academy, students gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, learning how to grow healthy food while understanding the science behind their environment. As one resident said, CIVN helped transform the community “from Death Row to I Have a Dream Lane.” Guided by the belief that “every child has a plate and every child deserves a seat at the table,” CIVN is making lasting change in underserved neighborhoods.
Students attend CIVN’s Texprep Nature STEAM Learning Academy, June 2025. Photo source: Commissary is Very Necessary
Commissary is Very Necessary is led by Executive Director Tamia Parker and supported by a small but dedicated staff, board, and team of volunteers. Originally created to reduce youth violence in South Dallas, CIVN now serves multiple cities with health fairs, financial literacy workshops, and environmental justice tours. A cornerstone program is the Nature Smart Learning Academy, which teaches hydroponics, aquaponics, and green tech to prepare students for careers in sustainability. CIVN also leads the NatureSTEAM TexPrep Academy in partnership with Dallas College’s PREP program, introducing young students to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) through gardening, science experiments, arts projects, hands-on field studies and community projects – helping bridge early education gaps for underserved youth. Alongside these efforts, CIVN organizes regular food donations for seniors and families in need, making a measurable difference through education and direct support.
Commissary is Very Necessary hosted a food giveaway in the Dallas metropolitan area in January 2023. (Photo from CIVN Facebook page)