2025 Grantee Selection
Ascend Dallas
Kate Rose Marquez, CEO
4201 Spring Valley Rd, Ste 1400 Dallas, TX 75244, (214) 584-2307
www.ascenddallas.org
PurposeofGrant:
Establishedin1908astheYWCAofDallas,AscendDallas(alsoformerlyknownasWings)has beenhelpingwomenattaineconomicstability,accesscareer-buildingtoolsandgaincritical parentingskillsthroughtwoprimaryprograms,theNurse-FamilyPartnership(NFP)and EconomicAdvancement(EA)
TheNurse-FamilyPartnership(NFP)isanevidence-based,nationalprogramprovidedin Dallassince2006tosupportfirst-time,low-incomemothersthroughhomevisitsbyregistered nursesfrompregnancyuntiltheChild’ssecondbirthday Itimprovespregnancyoutcomes, childdevelopment,andfamilystabilitythroughpersonalizedhealthcare,parentingeducation andeconomicsupport TheEconomic Advancementprogram(EA),providedsince2004isaneducationandasset-buildingplatform forwomenwithamulti-facetedapproachtosupportfinancialstability,includingone-on-one financialcounseling,financialeducationclassesandcareeradvancementservices.
Amatchedsavingsprogramisanasset-buildingstrategy Matchedsavingsprograms providefinancialincentivesforpeopletosaveforspecificgoalssuchasahouse,automobile, highereducation,abusiness,etc.TheBrightBeginningsFundwillhelpNFPmomsandtheir familiespurchaselife-changingassets.Inadditiontofundsearned,saverswillseegainsin becomingbanked,establishingsavingsgoals,receivingfinancialeducation,receiving financialcounselingandattainingassets Withahistoryofofferingthesetypeofproducts andahistoryofworkingsuccessfullywithone-on-oneinterventionprograms(25–3years) Ascendispoisedtosucceedwithyoungmotherswhoresideinhighneedneighborhoodsin Dallassothattheycanachievefinancialstability,maintainsafeandhealthlifestyles,and buildgenerationalwealth
Nurse-FamilyPartnershipparticipantswillalsobeofferedthefullarrayofEAservices,but financialcoachingwillberequiredtoenrollinthematched-savingsproduct Enrolleeswillalso beeligibletoreceiveasmalldollaremergencyrelieftohelpreducetheneedforpredatory lendingproductsandpreventimmediateneedscrisis.Fundingwillbeusedtoimplementthe programandtoprovidecoachingsupporttoensuremomsaresupportedandsuccessful
PurposeofOrganization:
ThemissionofAscendDallas,formerlyWiNGS,istoempowerwomen,fightpovertyand impactgenerations.
Boys & Girls Club of Collin County
Shawn Wills, CEO
1301 S Central Expressway Suite 117
Allen, TX 75013
(469) 888-4620
https://www.bgccc.org/
Purpose of Grant:
Problems faced by girls and young women can be viewed as part of a developmental continuum linking early problems, such as family dysfunction, abuse, loss of a primary caregiver, and other traumas, to later behavioral problems. During the teen years, when girls are transitioning to adulthood, unresolved issues from earlier stages of their development may come to a head and result in an inability to form positive relationships, lack of selfrespect, ignorance of physical health and sexuality issues, and low self- image Substance abuse at an early age can also interrupt a girl's psychosocial development
In addition, the landscape of girlhood has changed dramatically in the past 25 years The advent of social media has transformed the way young people interact with the world, and with their communities. It has become vitally important to their process of self-discovery and identification. Now more than ever, young women need a solid foundation for building healthy attitudes and lifestyles. To help provide a safe setting in which female Club members can address health and social issues unique to them and build the necessary skills to resist negative influences such as drugs, alcohol and premature sexual activity, Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County runs the SMART Girls Program, a nationally recognized program of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and implemented in local Clubs throughout the US
The SMART Girls program helps girls build that foundation by equipping them with critical knowledge and skills in the areas of physical health and wellness, mental health and selfesteem, and relationships Encompassing the physical, emotional and social changes a girl goes through between the ages of 8 and 18, this holistic approach supports her complete experience. Funding will support the program that is taught year-round at their McKinney, Frisco and Plano Clubs, as well as within Plano and Princeton ISD school sites. Its targeted curriculum ensures girls get the right information, the right support, at the right time. Separate modules are specially tailored to three distinct age groups: 8 to 10, 11 to 13 and 14 to 18. The interactive, engaging, small-group sessions engender camaraderie while also encouraging each girl to explore and express her individuality through discussions, hands-on games and activities, role-play, take-home challenges and activities, and collaborative decision-making and problem-solving
Purpose of Organization:
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Nexus Recovery Center Inc.
Heather Ormand, CEO
8733 La Prada
Dallas, TX 75228 (214) 321-0156
www.nexusrecovery.org
Purpose of Grant:
Nexus Family Recovery Center was established in 1971 as a structured living and social detoxification program for women which moved to an 11-acre campus in east Dallas in 1990 to provide a wider array of services Nexus is one of only seven recovery facilities in the state of Texas that invites women to bring their children to treatment. Of these seven, only three accommodate pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy They are the only recovery center in Texas to provide evidence-based, trauma informed therapy for children while mom receives Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and highlights the importance of their family-centered holistic approach to treatment that addresses the physical and mental health needs of both mother and her children At Nexus, all services are available regardless of a woman ’ s ability to pay Since its founding, they have worked to establish best practices, benchmarks, and guidelines for women-only SUD treatment, especially for the treatment of pregnant and parenting women They partner with Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern Medical School, Prism Healthcare, North Texas Innovation, and Center for Therapeutic Strategies to provide comprehensive care And as a preferred treatment provider for Dallas County, they have partnerships with judicial programs and specialty courts which allows them to provide targeted treatment services for justice-involved patients and work towards family reunification
Nationally, almost 11 million women have co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and of these, 84% have not received any treatment for either With a 13% increase in need for treatment since 2020, mental health and SUD treatment are urgent and essential community services Nationally, 1 in 8 children live in a household with at least one parent with a SUD. At Nexus Recovery Center, they don’t just treat SUD, they shatter and prevent cycles of poverty, abuse, and incarceration that often plague families for generations and keep them trapped in SUD Access to affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and quality education are the key ingredients to successful recovery from SUD, yet they are woefully inaccessible to most of the women who arrive at Nexus.
A$40,000 grant allows Nexus to reach and serve more low-income women, many for whom Nexus is their last resort. Funds will be allocated toward their continuum of care treatment program which includes a detox program, residential services for adult women, and women and their children, outpatient programs, medication assisted treatment, and a child development center.
Purpose of Organization:
The mission of Nexus Family Recovery Center is to serve as a community of hope and recovery for all women and their families who strive to live healthy, resilient lives.
