“Thereisnopower forchangegreater thanacommunity discoveringwhatit caresabout.”
-MargaretWheatley
SAME MISSION: NEW NAME
Our mission is > than health
Ournameisevolving,butour missionremains.
TheTexomaHealthFoundationis nowtheTexomaCommunity Foundation(TCF)!
Ournewnamebetteralignswiththe workwedosupportingcommunity wellbeing,and isareflectionofwhowetrulyare: yourfoundation.
Together,we’rebuildingavibrant, resilientTexomawhereevery residenthastheopportunityto thrive. -and our assets belong to the community we serve.
THE TULIP STORY
AstoryofTulips,PerfectLove,andOpenHearts
Aside from their vibrant colors and elegant petal shape, tulips embrace two meanings shared by the Texoma Community Foundation (TCF) and Reba’s Ranch House: perfect love and hope. This symbolism lives inside the Julia and Herman Ringler Sitting Area at the TCF offices. Custom wallpaper created from a tulip photograph taken by Julia adorns one wall. Herman, the first board chairman of THF, is known for his unwavering dedication to the foundation, his deep love for his community, and most of all, his charming and engaging personality. “Herman knows everyone, and everyone knows Herman because he has a gift of making you feel seen and cared for,” says Michelle Lemming, TCF CEO. “The Sitting Area of the foundation named after the Ringlers is so perfect as we all strive to be like Herman in how we greet friends and strangers alike.” The stunning tulips display when you walk into the room is more than a fabulous backdrop for group photos. It’s a symbol of the perfect love and hope shared by people like Julia and Herman who work behind the scenes to scatter seeds of hope. Julia is known for capturing photos and memories at our foundation and Reba’s Ranch House events since the first year of the foundation. She’s also known for planting tulips in her front yard and inviting the community to come by and take photos. When asked to share her favorite photo, her choice from hundreds of subjects in her arsenal of artwork wasn’t a surprise.
Her photo of tulips now graces the room as a reminder of the perfect love shared through TCF, Reba’s Ranch House, and partner organizations. The legacy of tulips at the ranch house began with the original building, where people would also stop to take photographs among tulips in bloom at the entrancejust like Julia does for the community today. The legacy continued at the new ranch house when Susan Hooper entered Michelle Lemming’s office in the foundation’s early days. Susan had received support through the foundation’s cancer fund and arrived there that day with a mission. “She sat at my desk and said, ‘I just want you to know that I’m ready to pay it forward and I’m not ever going to leave.’ And she didn’t,” says Michelle. “Every single day, Susan Hooper woke up thinking about that fund and how to build it to help other people who went through what she went through.” As a former florist, Susan planted tulips around the ranch house and THF office, and scattered seeds of hope through her tireless fundraising efforts. Those efforts included selling tulip bulbs with notes of encouragement slipped into the bags. After Susan’s passing, seeing tulips pop up around the ranch house in the springtime reminds people like Nicole Thornhill of Susan’s open heart and perfect love. “To this day, I think how beautiful it was, that somebody who was going through so much pain would still want to make the world a beautiful place,” says Nicole. Tulips are an enduring symbol of the legacy of the open hearts who scatter those seeds of hope and express perfect love to people when they need it most. Next time you pass through the Ringler Sitting Area at THF, be sure to capture a sweet moment in front of this beautiful backdrop that is a reminder of those serving our community with open hearts and perfect love. May it bring joy and hope into your heart.
WrittenBy:SarahSawyer
OUR VISION hope & purpose
That every Texoman feels a sense of
Toimprovethe health&wellbeing ofOURNEIGHBORSin thecommunities thatweservein OklahomaandTexas.
249,405
MARSHALL
BRYAN
GRAYSON
FANNIN
USCENSUS2023
FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
The Gift
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As I enter my final year as Chairman of the Board, I want to express how truly honored I am to have served in this role. It has been an incredible experience, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support of our community.
In last year’s report I shared that our foundation received an incredible gift and opportunity as a result of a $6 million dollar grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It was important to us that we maximized the gift, and this report will share with you our process that has led to an up to dollar-for-dollar match of funds for a five year $12 million dollar project to move mental wellbeing forward in our community. This past year was pivotal for our foundation as we devoted extensive time to the development of our strategic plan. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated in shaping this new vision together. Your insights and dedication have been invaluable as we worked to lay the foundation for the future. I am very excited to share that we are now ready to begin the rollout of our foundation's first truly community-owned and community-led plan. This plan is more than just a vision—it is a measurable roadmap to creating a community of mental well-being. At its core is the mission to inspire hope and purpose in families, whether at work, at home, or in the broader community. Together, we will work to build a place where every person has an opportunity to thrive.
I would also like to take a moment to offer a special thank you to two extraordinary individuals, Dr. Tim Parker and Bill Wilson.
Both have served our foundation with dedication completing nearly a decade of service. Their leadership, passion, and commitment to our mission helped shape the organization we are today. As they step off the board, they leave behind a legacy of service, and we will forever be better for their involvement and grateful for their contributions. We will welcome two new board members, Pastor Dana Coker and Dr. Rosalind Lopez. Both are tremendous leaders that will bring new perspectives and ideas as we move forward.
As we embark on a new chapter, we do so under a new name Texoma Community Foundation. Our foundation is the community's foundation -your foundation. We are committed to serving you, your families and friends, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue building a healthier, more connected community.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Together, we are creating a future full of hope and purpose.
Griefkits distributedto schools acrossTexoma
OUR BOARD
Chairman Joe Fallon
Vice Chairman & Grants Chairman, Heather Burrage
Secretary/Treasurer Ginger Nye
Cindy Bankston
Seth Fairchild
Pat Flynn
Dr. Jeannine Hatt
Dan Little
Barbara Malone
Bryce Martens
Leslie Matthews: Reba Inc.
Traci Moore
Dr. Tim Parker
Jim Walker, Investment and Finance Chairman
Bill Wilson, Audit Chairman
Herman Ringler, Community Advisor
FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT TheProcess
Dear Friends,
We are entering our 15th year with mental health as a priority of our foundation, and this year has been one of the most inspiring and hopeful in our history. Following a generous gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, we took a big step by partnering with a third-party firm, FSG, to help us create a regional mental wellbeing strategy. We challenged the firm to help us connect with residents who are often unheard, to focus on Texoma's strengths and momentum using an “assets lens,” and to identify levers and drivers proven to improve mental wellbeing across a community.
FSG, our team, and our board helped define what wellbeing means here in Texoma, reviewed extensive research, delved into what’s working and what’s needed, and gathered community perspectives through interviews, focus groups, and listening sessions. This process shaped a clear roadmap for each county and the region that includes measures to track the difference we are making.
45 interviews
9 community site visits focus groups
9
3 community sessions
“lots” ofresearch.
After more than two decades as a CEO, I can say that this process has resulted in the strongest strategic plan I have had the opportunity to be a part of. It is also the first strategic plan that extends beyond the work of our foundation. It was intentionally built with and for our community, with room for others to join us on this journey.
This year’s special report highlights our plan and areas of investment over the next five years. Our overarching goal is to help each other connect to the inherent strengths within ourselves – to find and use resilience already woven into the fabric of our rural communities, to increase awareness to care for ourselves and others, and to inspire hope and empower purpose.
A special thank you to Kitty and Marilyn for choosing our foundation to invest their time and talent. We are excited to watch their paths into retirement and we will miss not having them onsite each day. There is no question that our organization and community are better because of their servant hearts.
I remain honored to do this work, surrounded by passionate, talented, and dedicated people in a region I am proud to call home. One of the quotes from our interviews this year was, “The Texoma community is connected and supportive of one another.” We call this the
MichelleLemming,CEO&President
OUR TEAM
MarilynBice,Reba’sRanchHouseDirector&
KittyRichardson,ChiefOperationsOfficer
DebBoring:FinanceandBookkeeping
JeriCarosella,Reba’sRanchHouseGuestRelations
MitchGray,Reba’sRanchHouseNightManager
MichelleLemming,CEO&President
LindaMorgan,Reba’sRanchHouseGuestRelations
NicoleThornhill,TexomaGivingPartnersDirector
AdrianneJohnson,OperationsOfficer
AngelaSharp,GrantsOfficer
THE PLAN
Mental Wellbeing:
A sense of hope and purpose that enables individuals to cope with stress and participate in community.
-Definition
OUR CORE GOALS DURING PLANNING
Use an Asset Lens
Focus on the many strengths of Texoma.
Hear Unheard Voices
Connect to vulnerable populations not served by TCF grantees.
Establish Clear & Proven Measures
Identify proven and measurable levers to move mental wellbeing forward across communities.
OUR VALUES
Open Door Open Heart Open Mind
Ournew,definedvaluesarearesultsofcommunity interviews.WhenaskedbyFSG,“Whatdoyouthinkof whenyouthinkofthefoundation?”-theanswers overwhelminglyfellintooneofthesethreebuckets.
Thiswassoencouragingtoourteamas
-we strive to do this everyday.
What is proven to drive mental wellbeing forward across communities?
rivingQuestion
A MENTAL WELLBEING FRAMEWORK
Wefirstidentifiedmental wellbeingframeworks fromaroundtheworldto seewhatwasworking. Thosewithproven measuresandmetrics wereselectedand comparedinorderto findsharedthemes,or agreement.
Thisthenledtoasetof evidence-basedactions thatwecancollectively taketocreateaculture ofmentalwellbeingand upliftcommunities.
AREAS FOR SUPPORT
SuicideRates
2017-2021 5year ratepercapita
2 in
3 Residents in Texoma report lack of Hope or Purpose in their life.
PoorMentalHealthDays
In2021poormentalhealthdaysper30 days:5.5(Bryan),5.7(Fannin), 5.1(Grayson) and5.8(Marshall) comparedto4.6(State)and4.8(U.S.)
SubstanceUse
Alcohol-Impaired Deathsin2021: Bryan(37)comparedto State(27)andU.S.(26).
LEADING
3 LONG-TER
WHAT WE
MARSHALL
BRYAN
GRAYSON
FANNIN
ahomaCommunitySession
REGIONAL STRATEGY
To serve as a primary regional advocate and lead strategies that address cross-cutting regional needs
Therearecommonand consistentbarriersandneeds tiedtomentalwellbeing regardlessofwhichcountyin ourregionwetraveled. Thesecommonkeyconcerns becameourfoundation’s regionalstrategythatwewill worktoaddressequitably acrossallfourofourcounties.
TEXOMA
In general, there is stigma. I think that it’s hard to get over because people are raised to be independent and not need help as part of the identity of this area.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 1
Self Care and Social Context
TheWhy:
“Peoplejustdon’tknowwhere togoorwheretostart.”
“There’snotenough educationaboutprevention soitendsupbecomingan emergencysituation.”
“MostTexomanshaveavery difficulttimeaccessingthe mentalwellbeingcarethat theyneedduetolackof capacity,poornavigation resources,andchallenges gettingtoaphysicalcare location.”
“Notknowingwhereto go wasthe biggest challenge andI startedto panic.Ididn’tknow whohad information or whototalkto.”
RESPONSE
ElevatetheNarrativeandIncreaseAwareness
Openlytalkaboutmentalhealthandsubstanceuse. Buildupresiliency,hopeandpurpose. Recognizesignsearly. Knowhowtofindqualityandtimelyhelp.
nity Session
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2 Mental Health Care
TheWhy:
AllfourcountiesinTexoma aredesignatedasmental healthprofessionalshortage areas.
“Socialservice,primarycare, andcommunityservicesare siloedanddisconnected, oftenunabletoadequately supportmentalwellbeing needs.”
Wellbeingatworkand retentionofexisting workforcewasoneofthe mostcommonareasof feedbackacrosscommunity sessions.
RESPONSE
ImproveAccesstoQuality,TimelyCare
throughcarecoordinationandtrueintegrationof behavioralhealthservicesintoprimary,pediatric, gastrointestinal,andoncologyservices.
RetainourBehavioralHealthWorkforce
withafocusonEarlyIntervention-PreventingCrisis
Increasecertifiedmentalhealthtrainingsleading toanincreaseinCommunityMentalHealth Workers(CMHW),supportgroupleaders,etc. Advancedegreesandlicensesofexistingmental healthprofessionalsinschoolsandprovidersites usingatargeteduniversalismapproach.
Supportthedevelopmentofmentallyhealthy workplacesthatemploymentalhealthstaff.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 3 Community Conditions
TheWhy:
Basic,essentialneeds continuedtosurfacein conversations. Povertylevelsinallfour countiesarehigherthan theU.S.,andphilanthropic resourcesarelimited.
Needssharedmostoften include: broadband childcare food transportation
RESPONSE
Supporteffortsaddressinglocalessentialand immediateneedsasweworktomovelong-term mentalwellbeingleversthrough regionalstrategies1and2.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 4
TheWhy:
Therearelimitedfundersinourfour-countyarea. Policyhasasignificantopportunitytoleverageandmove workforward.
RESPONSE
Advocateforneededpolicy changesimpactingstrategic plangoals.
Serveasavoiceandpartnerto promotephilanthropicgivingin ruralandtribalcommunities. Continuetoencourage increasedphilanthropythrough TexomaGivingPartners.
Significant increases in the capacity of the current behavioral ealth system cannot be alized without n increase in blic funding.
FocusGroups
LOCAL STRATEGY
Invest in local collaboration & county-specific priorities.
Whilethereismuchin commonwhenitcomesto mentalwellbeinginourregion, ourcountiesarealsouniquein theirneeds,assets,and momentum.
Topneedsthataroseand differedacrosscountiesledto tailored,county-ledstrategies uniquetoeachcounty.
FANNIN
BRYAN
MARSHALL GRAYSON
nCountyCommunitySession
BRYAN STRATEGY
Catalyze Momentum & Collective Action
TheStrategy:
SupportanddevelopaBryan CountyCollaborativewitha focusonmentalwellbeing. Expandmentalwellbeing servicesinschoolsand supportyouthandfamilies. Increaseopportunitiesto strengthensocial connectionsacross BryanCounty.
FANNIN STRATEGY
Coordinate Resources to Improve Access to Services
TheStrategy: InvestintheFannin BehavioralHealthLeadership Team-CommunityWell Texas’collaborativeeffortsto coordinate anddevelop mentalwellbeingresources andwrap-aroundservices.
GRAYSON
Increase Crisis Stabilization Response & Services
TheStrategy: InvestintheTexoma BehavioralHealthLeadership Team’scollaborativeefforts toincreasecrisisresponse& stabilizationservicesthat providecaretothosewho wouldotherwiseenterthe mentalhealthsystem throughcriminaljusticeand emergencyrooms.
MARSHAL
Expand
Capacity for Mental Wellbeing
TheStrategy:
DevelopaMarshallCounty Collaborativewithafocuson mentalwellbeing. Increasethenumberof nonprofitsoperatingin MarshallCounty. Increasecommunityand outdoorspacesforsocial connection.
Supportschool programmingtoincrease mentalwellbeing:resiliency, hopeandpurposein students.
June 2024
WAYS WE COMM
DonorDirectedFunds byIndividuals, Families& Organizations nprofits annual ycle sed opy ation, ngs& rams
Operationof:
From July 2023- June 2024
$4 4
buteed to support charitable ms and initiatives creating ty change for residents to e long, healthy lives. Million
uldn’t have done it without you!
2 Million sets as of June 30, 2024
From July 2023- June 2024
$ 3 donations to help us do more together. Million
GRANTEE P
Austin C
Southern Oklahoma Rural
Boys & Girls Clubs of Red River Valley OK
CASA of Grayson County
Colton Sherrill Memorial Foundation, Inc.
risis Control Center
ndependent School District
ne Therapeutic Riding Center
ndependent School District
County Children's Center
County Family Crisis Center
County Juvenile Services
annin Health Clinic
h North - Geary Foster Foundations
Halliburton Foundation
Grayson Colle
Grayson County C
Grayson County Childr
Grayson Grand
Greater Texom
Home Hospice of Grayson County
House of Eli
J127 Ministry
inistries of Grayson County, Inc.
ms Homeless Shelter Ministry
cy Center of Bryan County
abetic Foundation / Camp Sweeney
avioral Health Leadership Team
ma Community Center
a Regional Blood Center
amily Guidance Center of Texoma
Trenton ISD
alth Clinic dba Callie Clinic
invested to-date
1,896 Nights 334 Total Guests
9 Days (Avg. Stay)
148 Different Cities Traveled From
14 Different States
TEXOMA PART
Jack & Kathleen Berry: Camp Sweeney Scholarships
Dr. Max & Shirley Cham: EMS Scholarships
Jacqueline Vandiver Chesser: Nursing Scholarships
: Children's Emergency Services
nrestricted Donation to Community Grants
ne Crowley: Nursing Scholarships
hority: Wellbeing of Fannin County Residents
Franks: Organ Transplants
Gary: Supporting Reba's Ranch House
rowd: Social & Economic Skills for Girls
morial: Pottsboro High School Scholarships
Education: Improving Health Workforce
ent Wellness: Child & Adolescent Wellness
Susan Hooper Cancer Care: Ca
Howe Community Connections
Reba McEntire: Charitable Project
Mary E. Morrison: Supporting Reba's Ranch House
Murphy-Mesiti-Miller: Improving Lives of Bryan County Residents
Roberta Pond: Nursing Scholarships
nces Porter: Medical Assistance
: Safety-Net for Medical Assistance
e: Supporting the Legacy of the House
Assistance: Cancer Treatments & Surgeries
ie Scott: Health & Wellbeing
Response Fund: Area Relief
k: THF Park Special Projects
key Watkins: Dialysis Care
I was surprised by the level of discussion about mental health challenges happening in the community.
I think our community is ready - this is the right time.
munityInterviews
