Jeffrey Ruiz is a Dallas native who focuses on government accountability in his South Dallas and West Dallas reporting as a Report for America corps member. His journalist expertise lies in covering immigrants, the transgender community, the Latino community, poverty and the unhoused. He also enjoys diving into religion and its influence in the community. When asked why Ruiz chose to write for Dallas Free Press, he says, “Being a part of a local newsroom that serves the community in any way possible with the readers’ best interest in mind is where I always dreamed of being a journalist. I look forward to the day I start writing news stories in Spanish to be translated into English.” When Ruiz needs a break, you can find him enjoying lunch at his favorite go-to spots: La Tacotrona and Locura Small Bites.

Location:

Dallas, TX

Languages Spoken:

English and Spanish

Areas of Expertise:

Government accountability in South Dallas and West Dallas

Location Expertise:

Dallas, TX

Official Title:

Report for America Corps Member

Email Address:

jeffrey@dallasfreepress.com

Linkedin Profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruizjeffrey/

Back-to-school events with school supply giveaways near you

Back-to-school events with school supply giveaways near you

Here is a list of Back to School events happening in your community that will have backpack and school supplies giveaways, health and family resources and other services for students.

Dallas News

Jeffrey Ruiz - July 27, 2023

Rosa Lopez street toppers commemorate her affordable housing legacy in Los Altos

Rosa Lopez street toppers commemorate her affordable housing legacy in Los Altos

West Dallas residents from Los Altos and community leaders gathered to honor the life and legacy of the late Rosa Lopez — her work in the community to improve the quality of living and empower neighbors.

West Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - April 13, 2023

<strong>West Dallas strong: West Dallas 1 website breaks new ground and hopes to inspire new leadership </strong>

West Dallas strong: West Dallas 1 website breaks new ground and hopes to inspire new leadership 

“We're setting the agenda on much of what's going on in West Dallas,” Raul Reyes Jr. says. However, his six-year term is coming to an end, and he and Jeffrey Howard don’t want to lose West Dallas 1’s momentum. As they prepare to pass the torch to the next generation, they are hoping the website will build support and awareness of West Dallas 1’s continuing impact.

West Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - January 25, 2023

Q&A with Tabitha Wheeler Reagan: District 7’s New Plan Commissioner

Q&A with Tabitha Wheeler Reagan: District 7’s New Plan Commissioner

South Dallas District 7 has a new plan commissioner — Tabitha Wheeler-Reagan. She will join 14 plan commissioners to hear zoning cases and make recommendations to the City Council.

South Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - January 11, 2023

West Dallas homeowners couldn’t access City funds for home repairs, so the City eliminated the barrier

West Dallas homeowners couldn’t access City funds for home repairs, so the City eliminated the barrier

The Dallas City Council voted last week to forgo the home insurance requirement for homeowners applying to the West Dallas Targeted Rehab Program, a City of Dallas neighborhood revitalization effort designed to provide financial assistance for home repairs. The city had rejected nearly half of program applicants, most of whom lacked home insurance. 

West Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - December 27, 2022

<strong>Fair Park First hopes partnering with Sunny South Dallas Food Park will create a welcoming space for Black neighbors</strong>

Fair Park First hopes partnering with Sunny South Dallas Food Park will create a welcoming space for Black neighbors

Desiree Powell hopes that the food park can be a living example of Black excellence and history in South Dallas. That’s one of the reasons she decided to partner with Fair Park First.

South Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - December 9, 2022

Watermark wants a zoning change for its South Dallas church in the historic Pearl C. Anderson School. Neighbors want to know: Why?

Watermark wants a zoning change for its South Dallas church in the historic Pearl C. Anderson School. Neighbors want to know: Why?

Watermark submitted a proposal to the City of Dallas for a new planned development district (PD) for the almost 10-acre space on July 12 — less than two weeks before it held its second community meeting.

South Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - November 18, 2022

The City created a home repair program for West Dallas residents, but they’re struggling to qualify

The City created a home repair program for West Dallas residents, but they’re struggling to qualify

So far, the program has committed roughly $800,000 for about 90 eligible applicants, according to Thor Erickson, area redevelopment manager with the City’s department of housing and neighborhood revitalization. He says the goal was to complete 200 home repair projects and spend the $2 million within an 18-month period. The city didn’t meet its goal, Jackson says, because applicants are finding the city’s requirements to be too strenuous. In order to qualify for the program, West Dallas residents have to meet a laundry list of demands: make less than $77,900, live in the home as their primary residence, have home insurance, have a clear title and be current on their property taxes and mortgage payments.

West Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - November 3, 2022

‘Where do you go on Saturday morning?’ How a zoning plan could make way for new businesses in South Dallas

‘Where do you go on Saturday morning?’ How a zoning plan could make way for new businesses in South Dallas

Tabitha Wheeler-Reagan, the co-chair of the South Dallas/Fair Park Area Plan Task Force, says the neighborhood’s PD 595 deters new businesses from coming into South Dallas. PD 595’s initial goals were to police alcohol sales and prevent gentrification, she explains, but she and the task force believe the zoning needs to be updated — still protecting the community, but encouraging local entrepreneurs, too.

South Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - September 30, 2022

Pool amenities in West Dallas: Fading ‘entusiasmo,’ but changes are coming

Pool amenities in West Dallas: Fading ‘entusiasmo,’ but changes are coming

This summer, one of the hottest on record, West Dallas residents went weeks without a community pool to cool them off. 

West Dallas

Jeffrey Ruiz - September 20, 2022

Addressing the digital divide: Dallas Public Library adds ‘thousands of devices’ to its library branches

Addressing the digital divide: Dallas Public Library adds ‘thousands of devices’ to its library branches

More than two years after the Dallas Public Library added laptops and hotspots to its circulation catalog, they’re still in high demand.

Dallas News

Jeffrey Ruiz - August 26, 2022