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Drew Robinson

Drew Robinson,  former Major League Baseball player and current mental health advocate for the San Francisco Giants, will headline Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 16th annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon on Tuesday, March 25, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Joining him as moderator is Eric Nadel, voice of the Texas Rangers and mental health advocate.

In 2020, Robinson miraculously survived a suicide attempt, resulting in a new-found purpose of helping others and destigmatizing mental health. After playing 12 seasons of professional baseball, Drew retired following the 2021 season to pursue a full-time role as a mental health advocate, the first of its kind in MLB. Leveraging his tagline, Strength Isn’t Always Physical®, Robinson is dedicated to sharing his journey and showcasing vulnerability to prevent suicide and promote mental health care.

Robinson said, “With many youth and young adults facing mental health challenges, it’s important that these issues are openly discussed and addressed. While it’s not easy to share my story, I hope to empower those struggling to speak up, ask for support, and remind them that they are not alone. I’m thankful for Grant Halliburton Foundation’s critical work and honored to support such an important cause.”

The Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon supports Grant Halliburton Foundation’s work to provide education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health. Event sponsorships and underwriting range from $600 to $25,000. Individual tickets go on sale in February for $250.To learn more and to purchase a sponsorship or underwriting opportunity, visit GrantHalliburton.org/boh.

Chris and Brent Bolding are the 2025 Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon co-chairs. The luncheon vice chairs are Amy and Michael Roseman. The founding luncheon chair is Barb Farmer.

Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, said, “We invite you to join us for this important conversation with Drew Robinson, who will share his story of hope, recovery, and suicide prevention. Drew’s journey highlights the importance of vulnerability and knowing how to seek help for yourself or someone you love. Our moderator and friend, Eric Nadel, who has openly shared his mental health challenges, will guide this meaningful and impactful discussion.

Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to nearly 350,000 students, educators, parents and professionals, thanks to funds raised from the Beacon of Hope Luncheon.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among Texas youth ages 10-24 (CDC). The Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon aims to bring focus to the vital work needed to educate the North Texas community on adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. Through its work in North Texas schools and communities, Grant Halliburton Foundation aims to change this reality as it works to promote awareness and understanding of teen and young adult mental health and to prevent suicide.

About Drew Robinson: Robinson is a former Major League Baseball player, mental health advocate, and professional speaker. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Drew was drafted by the Texas Rangers out of high school and went on to play parts of 12 seasons with the Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants organizations. In 2020, Drew miraculously survived a suicide attempt resulting in a new-found purpose of helping others and destigmatizing mental health. 

Leveraging his tagline, Strength Isn’t Always Physical®, Drew is dedicated to sharing his journey and showcasing vulnerability to prevent suicide and promote mental health care.  Drew currently works in the mental health and wellness department with the San Francisco Giants where he advocates for player mental health and peer-to-peer support. Drew resides in Las Vegas with his service dog, Ellie. Follow Drew on Instagram @Drewrobbb.

About Grant Halliburton Foundation
Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including education, conferences, collaboration and encouragement. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to more than 350,000 students, educators, parents and professionals. The Foundation also offers Here For Texas, which includes HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools aim to offer easy access for North Texans seeking mental health and addiction information and resources. Learn more about the Foundation at GrantHalliburton.org.

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Sam and Carol Dalton

SPARK! Dallas has announced plans for its 10th anniversary in 2025 with SPARKtacular, a spectacular fundraising event on May 1, 2025 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at a private Dallas residence. This unique and immersive evening experience is designed exclusively for adults (21 and older) with elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), delicious food, expertly crafted cocktails and live music. Event Co-Chairs are Nell and Shelby Bush & Carol and Sam Dalton. Honorary Chair is Sarah Losinger.

Nell Bush said, “SPARK! Dallas needs your support to help provide STEAM education to more students. Its mission is to ignite sparks of creativity and curiosity inherent in all children through its unique environment, combined with exciting programming that inspires minds, builds confidence and shapes the future of all children.”

Carol Dalton added, “SPARKtacular is a first ever event that you won't want to miss! We invite you to join us for an evening of fun with elements of surprise at every turn, while supporting an impactful nonprofit organization.”

Meg Bittner, SPARK! Dallas executive director, said, “We need your help to provide STEAM education to students and educators in historically underrepresented communities. To date, we have had 16,000 students attend field trips in 2024, and 60% of those come from 40 Title 1 schools. For many, it is often their first field trip to a hands-on-creative environment, so SPARKtacular will help us reach more of them.” 

Sponsorships, which range from $500 to $50,000, are available. Tickets will be for sale closer to the date, if available. More information can be found at https://sparkdallas.org/sparktacular/.

About SPARK! Dallas:

A nonprofit founded in 2010, SPARK! Dallas provides children from second grade to high school with a fully immersive creative environment with hands-on learning that develops their self-definition as creative individuals. Through an endless roster of workshops and pop-up activities, students exercise their creativity and learn from creative experts, innovators, and artists. The organization’s vision is to help students acquire creative skills to excel in school and compete in the workforce. SPARK! also hosts interactive camps, field trips and birthday parties. SPARK! is located in the historic South Side of Lamar building at 1409 Botham Jean Blvd, Ste 004, Dallas, Texas 75215. For more information, visit https://sparkdallas.org/ or call 214.421.7727.

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The Stewpot Galleria Dallas Mural Wall The Stewpot celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Stewpot, a Dallas-based mission of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas serving people experiencing hardship or homelessness, celebrates 50 years of impact in 2025 with events to engage the community in embracing and supporting those in need. The 50th anniversary theme, “50 Years of Loving Our Neighbors,” highlights The Stewpot’s long tradition of love in action.

The Stewpot’s 50th anniversary celebration includes a partnership with Galleria Dallas to feature the work of The Stewpot on its Gallery Wall and Art Window throughout January on Level 1.

Two community events were held on January 18 at Galleria Dallas. Visitors talked with artists from The Stewpot Art Program about their works and watched The Stewpot’s friends from The Dallas Street Choir perform near its Gallery Wall. At the same time, a pop-up “Love Your Neighbor” volunteer activity took place near the Play Place. Families helped assemble hundreds of hygiene kits for neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Since its founding in 1975 to feed people on the streets downtown, The Stewpot has served more than 8.7 million meals and continues to provide comprehensive services and a community of support for those in need. To learn more about The Stewpot and its 50th anniversary celebrations, visit https://www.thestewpot.org/50-years

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Nicole Small

Texas Woman’s University will present the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award to Nicole Small at the Dallas Leadership Luncheon, set for Thurs., Mar. 6, 2025, at noon at The Arts District Mansion in Dallas.

In addition to the Leadership Award presentation, the luncheon will also recognize the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars: Christiana Parra (College of Professional Education); Kiara Whitney (College of Nursing); Jenny Reynolds (College of Health Sciences); Savitha Sundar (College of Health Sciences); Bradaisea Ridge-Law (College of Business); and Sarah “Abi” Rainey (College of Arts & Science).

“Nicole’s vision and leadership have enhanced the lives of thousands of North Texas residents, and what I love the most is her efforts to highlight the magnitude of women’s contributions to STEM fields,” said Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine Feyten. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to honor someone whose life and work so perfectly embodies the spirit of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award and aligns with our strategic imperative at Texas Woman’s University to double the number of STEM opportunities for our students.”

About Nicole Small:

Small is the CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, where she leads efforts to fund groundbreaking innovations in science and nature, empower non-profits, and uplift local communities. Since 2014, she has overseen both organizations’ strategic direction, investments, and philanthropic initiatives. Her work spans a wide range, from advancing cancer-fighting biotech to supporting conservation efforts.

One of the spotlight achievements in Small’s current role is her co-founding of IF/THEN®, an initiative to inspire girls and women to pursue STEM careers through hands-on learning experiences and the promotion of positive portrayals of women in STEM fields.

From 2001-2013, Small played a critical role in the creation of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, merging several museums into a single institution and raising more than $200 million in support of the museum’s formation. She also served as the museum’s inaugural Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer.

Earlier in her career, Small founded a tech startup, served as an entrepreneur in residence for a California-based business incubator, and was a McKinsey & Company analyst.

Small holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. She is a member of The Dallas Assembly, YPO, Charter 100, and the International Women’s Forum.  She also serves on the boards of Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Hockaday School, UTSW President's Advisory Board, and Texas 2036. She resides in Dallas with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.

Small remarked, "I am truly honored to stand alongside the remarkable individuals and organizations that have received this award, all of whom have made a significant positive impact in North Texas. Through the IF/THEN Initiative, we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of women to pursue education and careers in STEM. Seeing young girls connect with positive role models and ignite their interest in STEM careers makes our team’s efforts worthwhile. Lyda Hill Philanthropies is also committed to advancing life sciences and biotech research to advance the world to a healthier population, and the innovative work being done by the companies at BioLabs and Bridge Labs at Pegasus Park is inspiring and remarkable.”

She added, “The Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award shines a light on not just individuals but on the contributions they have made to our community. I stand on the shoulders of great leaders, and those around me, who supported me in my opportunity to be involved in this work."

About the Luncheon:

Established in 2002, the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award is presented annually at the Dallas Leadership Luncheon to a Dallas leader who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and to furthering the importance of education.

The award honors the contributions of TWU alumna, donor, and board of regents member Virginia Chandler Dykes (1930-2022) as an outstanding healthcare provider whose professional and civic achievements represent a lifetime committed to helping others. Recent award recipients include Abby and Todd Williams (2024), Lucy Billingsley (2023), Arcilia Acosta (2022), Cynt Marshall (2021), and Jennifer Staubach Gates (2020).Here’s more about Virginia Chandler Dykes.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Texas Woman’s graduate student scholarships.

Tables, tickets and sponsorships: Individual tickets and couple tickets for the Dallas Leadership Luncheon are $175 and $300 respectively; table sponsorships begin at $1,500. To purchase, visithttps://giving.twu.edu/DallasLuncheon

To learn more about the luncheon or request a sponsorship brochure, call 940.898.3870 or visittwu.edu/DallasLeadership

HANDOUT IMAGE (Nicole Small): HERE

ABOUT TWU

Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a $125 million comprehensive fundraising effort to support innovative programs, capital projects, student scholarships, and faculty endowments. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visitdreambig.twu.edu ortwu.edu, or connect with TWU onFacebook@TexasWomansUniversity,Instagram@txwomans,Twitter@txwomans, andLinkedIn@texaswomansuniversity.

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Palak Patel

Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) is proud to announce Palak Patel as the 2025 JA Dallas Student of the Year. A senior at Plano East Senior High School, Patel was selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants for her outstanding academic achievements, leadership and commitment to community impact. As part of this prestigious recognition, Patel will receive the Sandi Smith Scholarship, a $10,000 award to support her higher education journey in college and pursuit of a career in business.

Patel has been involved with JA Dallas as a participant in the JA Career Speaker Series and as an intern with JA Dallas. In her application essay, she described the lessons she learned as an intern: “I found myself diving into projects that challenged me to think in new ways and take on responsibilities I had never expected. It wasn’t just about tasks and deadlines; it was about learning how to navigate the complex world of business and understanding the value of making smart, informed decisions.”

As the JA Dallas Student of the Year, Patel will play a key role in the upcoming Dallas Business Hall of Fame, presented by Ryan, LLC, on February 22, 2025, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. During the event, she will address an audience of business and community leaders, sharing her inspiring journey and future aspirations. The student will also be recognized at the Laureate Reception, an exclusive gathering honoring this year’s distinguished Hall of Fame Laureates: Allie Beth Allman, Curtis C. Farmer and Dale Petroskey.

The Dallas Business Hall of Fame benefiting Junior Achievement of Dallas celebrates the best and brightest in the Dallas business community who have made a meaningful impact in the region. Now in its 27th year, the gala raises essential funds to support Junior Achievement’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy.

“Each year, the JA Dallas Student of the Year reminds us of the incredible potential of our young people,” said Chris LaTurno, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas. “Palak Patel exemplifies the qualities of leadership, perseverance and ambition that we strive to instill in every student who participates in our programs. We are proud to honor Palak at this year’s Dallas Business Hall of Fame and are excited to see her future unfold.”

The Sandi Smith Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior who has participated in Junior Achievement programs, with applicants evaluated on academic achievement, leadership and a personal essay. This scholarship underscores Junior Achievement’s commitment to fostering education as a pathway to opportunity.

About the Dallas Business Hall of Fame 

Since its inception, the Dallas Business Hall of Fame has raised more than $5 million to support Junior Achievement of Dallas’ mission of inspiring and preparing young people for success. The annual gala celebrates the achievements of Dallas’ most influential business leaders while raising critical funds to provide students with learning experiences in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Through these programs, JA Dallas has reached over 700,000 local students, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of leaders. For more information on the event, visit jadallasbusinesshalloffame.org.

About Junior Achievement of Dallas

JA Dallas prepares students for the business of life. The nonprofit organization equips young people with hands-on learning experiences in financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship so they can thrive in our complex world and workplaces.

Last year, more than 2,500 business and community volunteers helped lead JA’s proven learning experiences across Dallas, Collin, Denton and Kaufman counties, engaging more than 100,000 students in real-world skills that life and employers demand. JA alums are more likely to have a college degree, make higher earnings and start businesses. For more information, visit www.jadallas.org

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Students at the conference

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, more than 1,000 teen members from across North Texas will gather at the third annual Texas Peer-to-Peer Youth Conference to connect and learn from others about how to break the stigma of discussing mental health and to provide help and hope for their fellow students and communities. In its third year, this peer-to-peer conference sold out the first day of registration. Students will come from 29 school districts, private and charter school systems throughout North Texas and spend a day learning about how to help their peers through inspirational talks, interactive breakout sessions and mentoring.

The conference features a day of dynamic speakers interacting with conference attendees from across North Texas. It runs 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 900 E. Sanford St., Arlington, TX 76011. The conference is presented by a collaboration of Grace Loncar Foundation, Grant Halliburton Foundation and The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, nonprofits founded in memory of loved ones lost to suicide. 

Peer-to-peer groups are the eyes and ears of a school, students trained to watch for at-risk peers, provide friendship, identify warning signs and seek help from adults. The groups work with school advisors to train students identified by their classmates as trustworthy peers. Through evidence-based training modules, these members are empowered to be a safe contact for their classmates. Peer-to-peer members are not taught to act as counselors, but rather, are educated on how to recognize signs of suicidal ideation, and how to properly and respectfully report this to an adult.

Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, said, “It’s a privilege to co-host this conference for students who are helping their classmates through service, hope and kindness. We want to keep our young people healthy, hopeful and here, and these peer-to-peer teams are important in helping us do that.”

Currently, there are more than 2,500 peer-to-peer members on more than 200 campuses across North Texas. These students were invited to the conference to connect with members from other schools around the state, build a network of support and learn and collaborate with one another.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 in Texas,” said Matt Vereecke, CEO of The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation. “This conference provides these members an opportunity to learn more about how they can provide a safe and supportive space at their schools for students struggling with mental health and help reverse this staggering statistic.”

The conference sponsors include Lyda Hill Philanthropies (Hope Sponsor); Faith, Fight, Finish and Vincent Genovese Memorial Foundation (Kindness Sponsors); UT Southwestern (Encouragement Sponsors); Children’s Medical Center and Eating Recovery Center (Friend Sponsor).

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Opportunity Center Location

First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (FPC Dallas) will acquire CitySquare’s Opportunity Center and relocate the programs and services of its community ministry, The Stewpot, which serves those experiencing homelessness and poverty, to the 53,000-square-foot facility. The Stewpot and CitySquare are longtime partners with a shared commitment to meeting the basic needs of individuals in the community and helping them improve their lives.

With the steadfast support of donors and in response to community needs, The Stewpot’s programs have tripled in size in recent years, and the ministry has outgrown its current space. When CitySquare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations and sell its property by the end of the year, the church, on behalf of The Stewpot, engaged in active conversations with CitySquare about acquiring its property. CitySquare’s board of directors voted unanimously to accept The Stewpot’s proposal after a competitive and equitable process to select the best partner.

For several months, the church’s leadership has been working through due diligence, building inspections, environmental testing and detailed plans for the program transition. Members of FPC Dallas met on Sunday, Dec. 8, for a congregational vote and approved the acquisition. The closing is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13. The Stewpot will begin moving into the new space later this month. As a part of the acquisition, The Stewpot will continue two of CitySquare’s core programs: its Food Pantry and its Neighbor Resource Center. Resource navigators at the Neighborhood Resource Center help people with housing options and other resources, including SNAP, WIC, healthcare, financial assistance, mental health services and more.

“This new facility will allow us to better deliver our programs and continue to support the 12,000 people served annually by CitySquare’s Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry programs,” said Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot. “We are thankful for this opportunity to maintain vital services for the CitySquare community and grow the impact of The Stewpot. As we move forward in faith, we are grateful for continued support from funders and donors as we raise the dollars for this significant undertaking that will allow us to help more Dallas neighbors in need.”

CitySquare’s property, at the corner of Malcolm X Boulevard and I-30, is located only a mile from The Stewpot’s current facility on Young Street, across the street from the church. With this acquisition, The Stewpot will move its operations and offices, while continuing to serve more than 1,000 meals daily at The Bridge downtown.

“You can’t tell the church’s story without talking about The Stewpot,” said Rev. Amos Disasa, senior pastor of FPC Dallas. “We are excited to embark on this new journey on the eve of our 50th anniversary serving our neighbors downtown. The Stewpot is a community ministry, binding us together to love and care for one another.”

In 2025, the Stewpot will celebrate 50 years of positive impact and helping people break free from poverty and homelessness. The theme of “50  Years of Loving Our Neighbors” will be a centerpiece of its celebration throughout the year, marked by several milestone events. Since 1975, The Stewpot has served more than 8 million meals and has provided housing, education, stabilization, enrichment and, most of all, love to Dallas neighbors in need of support.

For more information and to support the work of The Stewpot, visit thestewpot.org.

Founded in 1856, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (FPC Dallas), located in downtown Dallas, is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination. Together with its ministries—The Stewpot, FPC Day School, Encore Park and the FPC Dallas Foundation—it seeks the transformation of our city as ministers of reconciliation, peace and justice. For more information, visit fpcdallas.org.

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The Hope Party 2024 Hope Party Co-chairs Steve Noviello, Danielle Hunter and Reed Robertson

Grant Halliburton Foundation held its 15th annual Hope Party on November 22 at The Statler in downtown Dallas. More than 530 supporters attended the organization’s fundraiser, which raised a record-breaking $570,000 through sponsorships, tickets, live and silent auctions and a wine and spirits pull. Proceeds from the event support the Foundation’s work providing mental health education, resources and support to North Texas youth and their families.

The evening began with a welcome reception underwritten by Texas Capital where guests sipped on cocktails and bid on silent auction items. They also purchased a chance at the popular wine and spirits pull and posed at the photo booth underwritten by Sewell. The event’s top sponsors were invited to the VIP Lounge to enjoy small bites and a private bar, underwritten by Jennifer and Tom Karol.

The program kicked off with an electrifying performance by Clover the Violinist, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. Guests were welcomed into an elegantly decorated ballroom adorned with beautifully curated floral arrangements provided by Décor and Floral Underwriter, Concepto. 

Jenny Anchondo, CW 33 news anchor and host, served as this year’s emcee and welcomed guests.

Co-chairs included Danielle Hunter, Steve Noviello and Reed Robertson.  

Noviello, who is also a Grant Halliburton Foundation board member, said, “You have the power to change the trajectory of someone’s life by giving hope. So, give generously because I want you to remember this: before Grant Halliburton was a foundation, he was a teenage boy who needed hope.”

Robertson added, “Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Christopher Barkley Foundation. Your unwavering support for the past two years in a row means the world to us. And a heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors—at every level. You are the backbone of tonight’s success. I also want to recognize our inaugural retail sponsors. Your unwavering support further proves that retail has the biggest heart.”

Hunter told her personal story of her family dealing with mental health. “I wish the resources that Grant Halliburton Foundation provides to families had been available to our family. I truly believe that the organization can save lives and break cycles, transforming generations.”

Father Nate Bostain, head chaplain at the Episcopal School of Dallas, gave the invocation. Then, everyone enjoyed dinner while listening to Clover the Violinist play.

Following dinner, Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, spoke. “Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, who took his life when he was 19. This month marks the 19th anniversary of his passing, and his mom, Vanita, recently reached out to our staff, with a heartfelt message. She said, ‘Grant has now been gone for as many years as he was here. I appreciate so much the work we are all doing to pull people back from the edge.’”

Amy McCloskey, Foundation co-founder, spoke next. “Grant Halliburton Foundation was born out of the pain of losing a son and my brother, but it is fueled by the desire to save others from such devastating loss. We set out to help other families connect the dots and find the resources their loved ones so desperately need. I hope you leave here tonight with a renewed sense of urgency to get involved, to give where you can, to find what is yours to do in this work.”

The live auction raised $75,000 with luxury vacations to Tulum, Sonoma and Aspen; a Chef Kent Rathburn culinary experience; a luxury Dallas staycation and Highland Park Village shopping spree; an American Airlines suite for a Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars game; and an AURA band performance.

The final live auction item surprised guests as the Halliburton family donated a piece of Grant Halliburton’s artwork, “Haute Contour,” to the auction fetching $14,000.

Following the Raise Hope fund-a-need, which raised more than $140,000, the auction concluded, and people hit the dance floor dancing to the music of AURA by Scott Michaels.  

Guests were treated to warm mini donuts on their way out while waiting for valet, underwritten by Mindful Health.

A special thanks to the 2024 Hope Party sponsors and underwriters:

Platinum Sponsor: Christopher Barkley Foundation

Ruby Sponsors: Kirkland & Ellis, Khaite, Lockton, Maria and Jock Stafford, Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Emerald Sponsors:  Shelley and Jeff Becker, Karen and Mark Carney/Judy and Perch Nelson, The Hirsch Family Foundation, Danielle Hunter and Shane Sealy, Kimberly Kimbriel, Natalie and Duwayne Miller, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen and Tom Ford

Sapphire Sponsor: Diane Blumin, Jess Bass Bolander and Laura McCallan, Doug Bedner and Steve Noviello/T.J. Griffin and Reed Robertson, Matthew Gobay, Karen Goetting, Sharon and Kevin Hall, Paige and Brian Lauten, Leigh and Scott Parks, Brandy and Jon Ricketts, Marcia Simpson and Keith Gruenberg, Lynn and Kevin Wisdom, Lucy and Don Witte, Berry Corporation, Carolina Herrera, CohnReznick, Eubank Hutson & Associates, Front Porch Marketing, Haynes Boone, Perkins Coie, Simkhai, Taylor Counseling Group, Tennyson Advisory Group and Vinson & Elkins

Young Professional Sponsors: Campbell/Mitchell and Legacy Mutual Mortgage

Media Sponsor: PaperCity

UNDERWRITERS

Sponsor Gift: Blow Salon

Floral and Décor: Concepto

Patron Party: The Conservatory

VIP Lounge: Jennifer and Tom Karol

Late-Night Treat: Mindful Health

Photobooth: Sewell

Welcome Reception: Texas Capital

Table Gift: Renew Beauty

Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including education, conferences, collaboration and encouragement. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to more than 350,000 students, educators, parents and professionals. The Foundation also offers Here For Texas, which includes HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools aim to offer easy access for North Texans seeking mental health and addiction information and resources. Learn more about the Foundation at GrantHalliburton.org.

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TWU Kinesiology Team Makiyah Brittmon, Josey Salazar, Erin Rocha (Team Lead), Hannah Schnettler, Karolyn Skoby

When it comes to space flight challenges, Texas Woman’s kinesiology students always seem to have the best solutions.

For the fifth time in the last seven years, a team of Texas Woman’s undergraduate kinesiology students took the top overall prize at a NASA-sponsored statewide design competition. 

The Texas Woman’s team, dubbed Team Pleiades, was the only kinesiology department and the only all-female team represented at the two-day competition, which wrapped up Nov. 14 just outside of Houston. The majority of the 19 college teams in the competition are engineering students.

 

“It’s a huge bonus to have an all-female group with a STEM focus,” said Rhett Rigby, interim director of the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology and the design team’s faculty advisor. “It was the only health-focused project … ours had one of the most direct applications, most direct connections, to life in space.” 

 

The first-place finish continues a successful run for TWU’s School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology’s internship team. Teams have won the competition four times in the last seven semesters, including last year’s fall team. Over the last 13 semesters that Texas Woman’s teams have entered the competition, they’ve finished in the top four 11 times.

 

For the last three years, TWU teams have focused on the topic of mitigating muscle atrophy in long-duration space flight for their projects at the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge. This semester’s team discovered new ways to address the loss of skeletal muscle mass in astronauts, specifically in the lower limbs. 

 

Their solution was to design and test a compact blood flow restriction device that can be implemented during resistance training workouts in microgravity. 

 

In addition to the overall first-place finish, the five seniors took first place in peer review and presentation and second place in the poster/best model category. Team members Erin Rocha (team lead), Hannah Schnettler, Karolyn Skoby, Josey Salazar and Makiyah Brittmon received scholarships from TSGC for their project. 

 

“To have a showing like this, I’m incredibly proud of the team,” said Rigby. “They’ve put in thousands of hours worth of work to this combined, and it’s nice to see the fruits of their labor come to fruition.” 

 

The TSGC Design Challenge gives students an opportunity to come up with a solution to help solve a research objective of importance to NASA. Teams have an option of choosing their own space-related challenge, and the last several TWU teams have gone that route, honing in on the muscle deterioration.

 

Lengthy space flights wreak havoc on astronauts’ muscle health. Weight-bearing skeletal muscles, such as the quadriceps and soleus, are especially prone to atrophy because of their larger size. The TWU team cited research that shows there is a 20% decrease in the size of these muscles in the first five to 11 days of space flight.

 

The Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 teams created exercise devices for astronauts to use in space flight. This semester’s team created a blood-flow restriction device (nicknamed HALO for Hypertrophic Aide by Limb Occlusion) uniquely designed for resistance training in space flight.

 

Blood-flow restriction is a technique that uses a cuff to partially reduce blood flow to a limb by applying pressure to major leg and arm arteries while exercising. It is used in physical therapy rehabilitation to help people train or recover from injuries. When using this method, users exercise at a low intensity level, mimicking the effects of a high intensity workout.

 

TWU’s prototype resembles a large blood pressure cuff. Instead of being strapped to your arm, this cuff would go on the upper thigh. Other components of the device include an airbag, a Direct Current motor, rechargeable battery, motor board and microcontroller. The team coded the HALO device to inflate the airbag to the desired pressure in order to achieve the partial reduced blood flow. 

 

With this device, astronauts could lift smarter, not harder. While exercising, they would be creating oxygen deprived muscles, which would stimulate muscle gain with lower weights. This lower load is also less impactive on joints while also lowering recovery times and enhancing muscle recovery.

“It’s a bit surreal to take teams with no prior experience in some of these areas related to engineering and within a few months, we are able to compete at the highest undergraduate level,” Rigby said.

 

 

 

 

 

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Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Guided by research that identifies the barriers to women’s economic security and success, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF), collectively with its donors, giving circle supporters and philanthropic partners invested $6 million in 2023-24 to advance its mission. Of that total, The Foundation distributed $4.9 million in grants to women- and girl-serving organizations, including $876,540 to 23 nonprofits impacting approximately 13,000 women and girls in North Texas.  

Karen Hughes White, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “As a statewide organization, Texas Women’s Foundation believes in the power of collective philanthropy to catalyze change. Since 1985, we’ve invested nearly $85 million toward achieving our vision for an equitable society in which women and girls can fully participate. And while we’ve made great progress, Texas women and girls have never needed us more! We are grateful for the donors, supporters and partners who share our vision and make our work possible.”

North Texas Community Grantmaking:

Through its Community Grant Cycle, TXWF awarded $867,540 to 23 nonprofit organizations. 

Dallas County:

Annie's Place: Child care

Braswell Child Development Center: Child care

Community Council of Greater Dallas: Cancer Care

Connections Multiplied Too: Leadership development

Hopeful Solution: Transitional housing  

ImmSchools: Leadership development

The Lullaby House: Transitional housing

Mi Escuelita Preschool: Child care

New Friends New Life: Legal services

Our Friends Place: Transitional housing

Wholly Informed Sex Ed: Health – sex education

Young Leaders Strong City: Leadership development

Irving:

Irving Healthcare Foundation: Women’s health

Richardson:

Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation: Breast health

Denton County:

Opening Doors International Services: Legal services

North Texas (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant Counties and surrounding):

Bridge Breast Network: Breast health

LiftFund Inc.: Entrepreneurship

Lone Star Justice Alliance: Just Sentencing Initiative

Rosa es Rojo: Health & well-being

SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc.: Entrepreneurship

Tarrant County:

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc.: Math tutoring

Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth: Women’s health

Texas Health Resources Foundation: Women’s health

To learn more about Texas Women’s Foundation’s grants and for a complete grantee list, visit txwf.org/grants.

About Texas Women’s Foundation:

As Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) nears its 40th year, it is clear that now more than ever is the time to create more equitable communities to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld. TXWF raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and strategic/educational initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $85 million in Texas women and girls.

The Foundation’s statewide research on issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and educational initiatives support solutions that help Texas women and girls survive and thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now

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SELECT COMMUNITY GRANTS

HOUSING – TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

The Lullaby House

Located in Dallas, The Lullaby House provides community care and residential support to pregnant and parenting teens in the foster care system. In 2021, the Texas Department of Family and Protective services reported that 380 Texas youth in foster care were pregnant. Five facilities in the state provide residential services for the teens and their babies (total 24 beds in the state).

An already complicated and traumatic situation is exacerbated for an already vulnerable teen. TXWF provided a $40,000 grant to support this organization.

"The grant has really helped us to increase our effectiveness with wrap around services.”

-Alexandrea Crutcher-Horsley, Executive Director, The Lullaby House

 

HEALTH

Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth

Serving the 76104 ZIP code in Fort Worth, the ZIP code with the lowest life expectancy for women in the state (UTSW 2019), a $40,000 Texas Women’s Foundation community grant supports hiring a Community Health Worker for La Clínica de Mujeres (Women’s Clinic). The Community Health Worker, hired from the community they serve, is uniquely equipped to break down barriers of access to care, and to maximize health outcomes for women.

“It is just very, very important for us to educate our patients. Just as much as they need us, we need them to understand what is going on with their health, because they are the ones taking care of themselves. So it is important for us to have Community Health Workers here with us to make sure there is no gap in the communication between the provider and our patients.

– Rosa Montalvo, Patient Care Coordinator, Mercy Clinic

 

LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Serving two of the lowest performing schools in Fort Worth ISD, a Texas Women’s Foundation grant of $15,000 expands the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains’ (GS-TOP) piloted Math Tutoring Program to benefit 3rd and 5th grade girls at two Title I elementary schools. GS-TOP aims to introduce girls of every age to STEM as the U.S. will need more STEM professionals. GS-TOP’s goal is to reframe challenges into possibilities.

“We can make that math experience a lot of fun for them and that it is not a burden, and they can see that it is easy to learn when you are having fun!”

-Becky Burton, CEO, Girl Scouts of the Texas Oklahoma Plains