Student Stories and Special Announcements at An Evening of Appreciation

With renovations for the residential services wing coming to a close, After8toEducate hosted An Evening of Appreciation at the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center. Guests toured the facility, which includes single and double occupancy bedrooms for up to 35 youth on the second floor, along with common spaces, counseling rooms, a clothing closet, a library, and a podcast booth on the first floor. On the bedroom walls were written personal stories by youth who had experienced housing instability and statistics on youth homelessness. As guests viewed the vignettes, they were invited to become a part of the history of the center by writing their own thoughts or words of encouragement. 

Homeless youth story, Dallas stories from students experiencing homelessness

Once guests had viewed the rooms and given their responses, After8toEducate Interim Executive Director Billy Lane provided updates about the soon-to-be completed Residential Services wing and announced room sponsorship opportunities. Additional remarks were made by Social Venture Partners Dallas CEO Tony Fleo, CitySquare President John Siburt, and Promise House CEO Charles Wolford.

Jorge Baldor, After8toEducate Founder and Board President, concluded the program by sharing the vision for the future of the collaborative and some exciting announcements. With the combined efforts of Nancy Lieberman Charities along with the support of Jack & Dianne Adleta and Tom Lamphere & Jan Richey , a sport court is being built at the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center. This will expand potential programming at the center by giving youth more outdoor recreation opportunities. 

On the heels of this news, the Make It Count Family Foundation made a commitment of $50,000 toward naming the Cafe space at the Residential Services wing. Other naming opportunities are still available, and those interested can click here for more information.

‘The face of homelessness that we don’t see is the young face’: New shelter to provide safe haven for homeless Dallas high school students. Read more at The Dallas Morning News.

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