More than a decade ago, Tim Grigsby spent the night at Dallas 24 Hour Club because he’d burned every bridge with drugs and alcohol. He was out of options.
Grigsby, a former football standout at Highland Park High School, had a $24 money order in his pocket when his mom dropped him off at the building on Ross Avenue.
He slept on a mat in the meeting room, to be as close to recovery as possible.
While he was at Dallas 24 Hour Club, the staff equipped him with essential life skills, including the concept that helping others would have to be his way of life.
“I was working at Denny’s,” Grigsby said. “I’d been through treatment four times. Dallas 24 Hour Club was great because … it’s the best place when someone’s really ready to change their life. It’s Ground Zero for recovery.”
He found hope in that building on Ross Avenue. They helped him get enrolled at the University of North Texas, where he later earned a degree in organizational development. He got full custody of his son Cayden, who was born three weeks after Grigsby was dropped off at “The 24.”
And on Sept. 1, Tim Grigsby will become chief executive officer of the place that once saved his life.
Dallas 24 Hour Club
Dallas 24 Hour Club offers a 75-bed transitional sober living for homeless alcoholics and addicts. Once they level up from The 24, they can move on to the 41-bed Tillman House. They’re equipped with support services and life skills to become productive members of society, Grigsby said.
The demographic breakdown is about 75 percent male and 25 percent female, and the facilities stay near capacity on a day-to-day basis.
“Our goal is for people to not return to drugs and alcohol and not return to homelessness,” Grigsby said. “That does complicate things, especially in today’s climate when affordable housing is few and far between.”
Residents aren’t charged upfront unless they can afford to pay the cost of housing, which amounts to about $11 a day. They start out sleeping on a mat in a communal area “to show that they’re willing to go to any lengths for victory over alcohol.”
They’re required to spend five hours a day out of the facility looking for a job. In Phase One, linens, clothing, hygiene products, and three meals a day are provided. Residents are offered medical care at Parkland Hospital.
In Phase Two, once the resident has a job, they get a little more independence. Resident service fees account for about 35 percent of the operating budget. The remainder of the budget is covered by private donations and foundation grants.
“It’s two-thirds subsidized as a pathway to independence,” Grigsby said. “This is the most affordable sober living [housing development] in DFW. It doesn’t cost anything to get started for the first time. By residents contributing, it inherently improves their self-esteem. We want to equip the person for real life. We help them get cleaned up, get vital documents, and get a job. Then we let them pay us back. We think it’s important that people have some skin in the game and have some buy-in.”
Dallas 24 Hour Club is also open to the public, hosting three dozen 12-step meetings per week. They also have an on-site restaurant, The Hubcap Cafe, staffed by residents in The 24’s kitchen training program.
Those who need emergency shelter but are not seeking recovery from drugs and alcohol are referred to another partner agency.
Residents can stay about six months at the main facility on Ross Avenue and up to a year at the TIllman House.
Tim Grigsby and Marsha Williamson
Grigsby joined The 24 as a resident staff liaison in 2012 and quickly emerged as a leader. He has been chief operating officer since 2018.
Dallas 24 Hour Club Development Coordinator Kristen Eddy said Grigsby is “an action-taker and a reputable, humble leader by nature.”
“Tim is one of the most levelheaded people I know,” Eddy said. “I feel like I could inform him that his hair’s on fire and he’d calmly respond, “What do you feel would be the best course of action here? I trust your judgment and know you’ll do the right thing.'”
Marsha Williamson, who has led the nonprofit since 2013, is retiring but will remain on staff as a CEO Emeritus to help with advising and development.
Williamson told daltxrealestate.com that her life was changed for the better by Dallas 24 Hour Club.
“I never dreamed when I arrived at The 24 as the interim director that I would immediately fall in love with our residents and the mission,” she said. “I have had the privilege and pleasure to see hundreds of lives changed and families restored.”
She also did a lot of work in advancing the nonprofit’s mission.
“She really did lead us out of the dark ages,” Grigsby said. “She led a transformation. We’ve got a lot of new programs and buildings because of Marsha.”
Williamson said Grigsby is a great example of how The 24 can fully restore a life.
“I am thrilled to turn over the reins to him because he has the passion and drive to lead our great staff and provide the very best opportunities for our residents to make a brand new start,” she said.
The 24 team feels like family, where each member’s input and efforts are valued, Eddy added.
“Marsha Williamson’s passion for the residents has helped make Dallas 24 Hour Club a literal lifesaver for thousands over the years, and Tim will carry the baton better than anyone I could imagine,” she said.
Over 80 percent of the staff at The 24 are alumni, which offers a special brand of hope to those who come in off the streets.
“I think it’s a testament to our program that the vast majority of the staff went through the process,” Grigsby said.
Founder Lee Tillman started the nonprofit as a place for people to go when they needed help, regardless of what time of day it was. While it’s no longer open to new residents and the public 24 hours a day, the staff works hard to get people in who are willing to accept help.
“The thing about ‘no funds required’ upfront is pretty unique,” Grigsby said. “Being open to the public is pretty unique. I just really love the place. It’s like a duty. It’s an honor and a duty to work there. It’s more than a job.”
