Mark Cuban was honored with a resolution in a Commissioner’s Court meeting on Tuesday for his contributions to a Dallas County program that helps people with mental illnesses stay out of jail for petty crimes.
The program, Dallas Deflects, is a partnership between the district attorney’s office, the Dallas Police Department, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Homeward Bound, and other partners.
Dallas Deflects seeks to provide counseling and support services to those with mental health and substance abuse disorders who committed low-level, non-violent crimes, authorities say. Eligible people will stay in short-term crisis respite care and be provided with a variety of additional resources.
Mark Cuban, through his charity organization, gave a $277,000 donation towards the program. Commissioners say that the funding will help provide security for on-site housing during the initiative’s first three years.
Dallas Deflects is the latest addition to the long list of programs Cuban has supported to provide resources to marginalized communities. His work includes providing resources for student journalism projects, and helping former Mavericks guard Delonte West, who was homeless, find stable housing and get drug rehabilitation.
“He and the foundation have been such a huge community partner,” said Commissioner Theresa Daniel.
Aside from Cuban’s contribution, Daniel and District Attorney John Creuzot also made private donations to support the program. “Anything we can do to solve this problem of mental health crises on the streets, anything we can do to solve the issue of criminal trespass, we want to do it,” said John Creuzot.
Cuban did not attend the Tuesday meeting, according to The Dallas Morning News.
