Hope Cottage, a North Texas nonprofit with a 105-year history of transforming lives by uniting and strengthening families, announced plans today for a new maternal health clinic in partnership with HHM Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and nonprofit that provides cost-efficient medical services. The George and Fay Young Foundation is investing $2 million to fund the clinic that will bring prenatal care to underserved women. The facility, to be located at Hope Cottage in East Dallas near downtown, will be named in honor of George and Fay Young’s late daughter, Carol Young Marvin, whom they adopted through Hope Cottage.

Leadership from Hope Cottage and HHM Health shared the news at Hope Cottage’s 105^th Anniversary Celebration at its headquarters in East Dallas near downtown.

Stephanie Bohan, Chief Executive Officer for Hope Cottage, said, “Strong families begin with healthy births. Yet here in Dallas and across the state we are seeing a crisis in maternal health, with many mothers unable to access prenatal care, putting them and their children at risk. We are thrilled to partner with HHM Health, which shares our commitment to helping pregnant women get the services needed to deliver healthy babies.”

Texas ranks 49^th in the nation for access to quality prenatal and maternal care, according to a new study from the Commonwealth Fund analyzing publicly available data. The state has the lowest percentage of women ages 18-44 with healthcare coverage and the lowest percentage of women with a primary healthcare provider. The 2022 Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee report estimated that 90% of maternal deaths in Texas may have been preventable and named increasing access to health services during pregnancy as a top recommendation for improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

“HHM Health recognizes the need for better women’s healthcare in the great state of Texas. So many of our patients are part of vulnerable communities and often don’t know where to turn. We have made a commitment to continue to step up and be that resource for women in Dallas. Partnering with Hope Cottage allows us to reach more mothers and help them deliver safely,” said Brian Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer at HHM Health.

The clinic will be located at Hope Cottage’s location at 609 Texas Street in the Wilson District, adjacent to Deep Ellum and downtown Dallas. On-site, HHM Health will offer low-cost pregnancy testing, Medicaid enrollment and prenatal care. In coordination, Hope Cottage will provide mothers with parenting education, case management and access to community resources during and after their pregnancies, as well as adoption information and counseling for women who wish to explore that option. Women served at the clinic will be referred to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas for labor and delivery. After delivery, HHM Health will continue to care for mothers at its Women’s Health Center in Vickery Meadow and babies at its Pediatric Clinic off Walnut Hill Lane.

The $2 million gift from The George and Fay Young Foundation will fund renovations to create the clinic space on Hope Cottage’s first floor, plus five years of Hope Cottage’s pregnancy program costs. Construction on the clinic will begin in August, and an opening is planned for January 2024. It will initially open for two days a week, with plans to expand as community outreach increases demand for services.

Hope Cottage has engaged RGC Royal General Contractors to lead construction on the project, bringing back the same team that built their facility that opened in 2016.

The new clinic will be HHM Health’s fifth location, with other clinics in East Dallas on Greenville Avenue, in Vickery Meadow off Pineland Drive, a pediatric office off Walnut Hill Lane, and a clinic in Oak Cliff at Trinity Basin Preparatory’s Jefferson Campus. HHM Health’s nine service lines include women’s health, pediatrics, adult medicine, vision, dental, behavioral health, imaging and 340B pharmacy.

ABOUT HOPE COTTAGE

Hope Cottage transforms lives with the love of family through adoption, foster care, education and parenting support. The Dallas-based organization offers a full continuum of services to nurture the healthy relationships essential for families and communities to thrive. Founded in 1918 as a children’s home, Hope Cottage has connected thousands of children with loving forever families through adoption. The organization has grown over the decades to respond to community needs – from the pressing need for safe, caring foster homes, to education and support for families in crisis. For more information about Hope Cottage, visit www.hopecottage.org, or connect on Facebook @HopeCottage or Instagram @Hope_Cottage.

ABOUT HHM HEALTH

HHM Health is a nonprofit community health organization that provides quality healthcare to all its neighbors with love, compassion and respect. They accept patients with no insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, ACA plans and commercial insurance. They ensure everyone can be seen.

As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, the national movement to raise awareness about mental health, Grant Halliburton Foundation has launched HereForTexas.com/espanol to ensure that mental health information and a provider database are available in Spanish. Already available in English at HereForTexas.com, this free community tool offers easy access for North Texans seeking mental health, addiction and suicide prevention resources.

Blanca N. Garcia, LCSW-S, director of mental health resources at Grant Halliburton Foundation, explains why it is important to reach additional people in North Texas with mental health programming and resources, especially Spanish speakers.

“The Hispanic population is diverse and comprises the largest ethnic minority group in Texas at 50 percent,” Garcia said. “While this community suffers from the same mental health conditions the rest of the country faces, cultural differences and language barriers may lead mental health professionals to misdiagnose Hispanics, and fear of having the stigma of a mental illness prevents some from seeking help.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and Hispanic Star:

• 18% of Hispanic adults have a mental illness
• Only 34% access mental health treatment
• Treatment barriers are stigma, cost and language
• More than 10 million Latinos in the U.S. reported having a mental illness
• 35.1% of Hispanic or Latino residents received treatment for mental illness.

The goals of the Hispanic outreach initiative are to make all of Grant Halliburton Foundation’s

information, presentations and resources available in Spanish, with information that is culturally relevant and appropriate for people who are Hispanic or who grew up in a Hispanic household. To that end, the Foundation has translated all of its marketing and educational materials into Spanish, updated the information in its brochures and mental health presentations to ensure that they are accurate, and will continue to provide bilingual services to callers on the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line.

Callers to the no-cost Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line are connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, an experienced mental health professional helps to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs within 24 hours. Note: The Mental Health Navigation Line is not a crisis line, but navigators can direct callers to additional crisis resources.

Garcia added, “I want the Hispanic community to start talking about mental health, so they aren’t afraid to reach out for care when someone in the family needs help. From new families immigrating to the U.S. to first-generation Texans, there are so many mental health conditions that go unaddressed. We’re taught to be strong and keep working hard no matter what. Our Hispanic families deserve to be taken care of too, especially in terms of mental health. We want to make sure they have access to information, support and resources.”

Grant Halliburton Foundation works with other trusted Hispanic-serving organizations like The Concilio, Therapy Works Counseling, Bachman Lake Together, Cannenta Center, Community Does It and DFW Hispanic Heritage Ambassadors, among others. As partners, the Foundation provides its services and resources to these organizations. “We hope the Foundation will be the go-to place for mental health questions, information and resources for the Hispanic community,” Garcia said.

Mental illness affects individuals from all walks of life, and suicide rates are rising at alarming levels for many, including Black and Hispanic communities. Garcia remarked, “I’m proud Grant Halliburton Foundation is choosing to lead by example, and I hope that those who look like me and my family members, speak the language, and share the culture will trust us. Our goal is to help them find appropriate help and resources for themselves and their families.”

United HealthCare provided a grant to translate the website. The grant also allowed the Foundation to hire two Hispanic Outreach staff members who are master’s-level social workers and native Spanish speakers.

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 300,000 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.

Grant Halliburton Foundation Young Professionals or GHF YP, a personal and professional development organization, will host its first fundraiser, Bet on Hope: Casino Night, on April 20 at The Hall on Dragon (1500 Hall St., Dallas) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature casino tables, a silent auction, raffle, entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel, small bites and beverages. Co-chairs are Sarah Cornelia, Emily Sandler and Michelle Schwarz. Tickets and sponsorships are on sale at GrantHalliburton.org/bet.

According to Sandler, “This event supports the life-saving work of Grant Halliburton Foundation and is open to the public, not just young professionals or GHF YP members. We invite you to join us for a fun evening, while raising much needed funds to support the Foundation’s lifesaving mental health and suicide prevention programming.”

Open to young professionals in their 20s and 30s, GHF YP is a home for the next generation of philanthropists to learn and grow while also supporting the organization’s work to advocate for stronger mental health education and suicide prevention in North Texas.

“This is the moment for our generation to really make an impact on mental health in our communities,” said Kelsey Cameron, GHF YP president. “The ability to meet and network with like-minded professionals is important. We hope to foster connections through a variety of events and opportunities throughout the year, including our tentpole fundraiser Bet on Hope.”

GHF YP offers young professionals the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community while networking, attending social events and professional development seminars, sharing their talents through volunteer opportunities and receiving special sponsorship rates at Grant Halliburton fundraising events. Dues range from $25 to $500 annually.

For more information or to join GHF YP, visit GrantHalliburton.org/ghf-yp.

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 300,000 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.

Sharing stories about personal issues is tough, yet two NFL football greats, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Solomon Thomas of the New York Jets, who are tough on the gridiron, told their stories at Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 14th annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon. The fundraising luncheon, held on March 7at the Omni Dallas Hotel, supports Grant Halliburton Foundation’s work providing education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health and suicide prevention in North Texas. Both young men are on a mission to raise awareness about mental health and suicide through their foundations off the field.

As guests arrived, they enjoyed several mental health activations, viewed and purchased raffle packages, enjoyed the champagne wall and listened to DJ Lucy Wrubel playing lively music.

Steve Noviello of FOX 4 News, served as the master of ceremonies. The Conly Family—Jeanie and Bert Conly and their children, Lindsey and Aaron Berg, Mark Briscoe, and Kendall and Luke Cagle—were the luncheon chairs, with Barb Farmer as the founding luncheon chair. Dr. Clayton Oliphant, senior pastor of First United Methodist in Richardson, gave the invocation.

Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, said, “We are grateful to all of you for being a part of the largest gathering of any event in our 17-year history—700 strong—all here to support adolescent mental health. One thing has not changed—and that is the ever-growing need to support young people with their mental health. I wish I could stand up here and tell you that the mental health crisis is trending in a positive direction, but the hard truth is, the crisis continues to grow. The challenges before us are massive.”

Vanita Halliburton, Grant Halliburton Foundation co-founder and executive chairwoman, spoke about the organization she co-founded after losing her son Grant to suicide 17 years ago and the state of mental health in young people.

“The Centers for Disease Control reports that:

• suicide is still the second-leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 14 and the third-leading cause of death for those ages 15 to 24.
• One in eight Texas high school students report they have attempted suicide in the past 12 months (that’s twice the national average).
• In Texas, on average we lose one teen to suicide every day; in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we lose two per week.”

She added, “GHF was meant to be a wellspring of information, guidance, resources and encouragement for those engaged in the fight for someone’s mental health—for themselves or for someone they care about.

Those are sobering statistics…but this is why we exist. Our Foundation will never stop working to promote better mental health and help prevent suicide among our children and youth. Grant Halliburton Foundation is waging a strong and winning fight against the stigma around mental health. One thing we know for sure: brought out of the shadows and into the light, stigma quickly dies.”

Noviello introduced Andy Adler, CBS 11 Sports Anchor and Children’s Rights Activist. Adler introduced and interviewed Prescott and Thomas. She remarked, “Dak and Solomon have many gifts—talent, intelligence and success. They’ve also both suffered great loss and with that comes a platform to communicate about mental health and suicide prevention.”

Prescott has shared openly about his own mental health challenges. He established the Faith Fight Finish Foundation as a tribute to his mom, Peggy, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2013, and its work also honors his brother, Jace, who died by suicide in 2020.

Similarly, Thomas (a Dallas native) lost his sister, Ella, to suicide in 2018 and has spoken openly to his teammates, other players and the public. He co-founded The Defensive Line with his parents, Martha and Chris Thomas, and the organization focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. Off the field, Solomon has dedicated his life to sharing Ella’s story.

The overall message from both men is that their faith is what keeps them going. They reiterated to be kind.

Thomas takeaways:

• “We must treat ourselves as human beings and others as human beings.”
• “Ask people not how they are doing, but how are you really doing.”
• “Vote and identify candidates who care about mental health. We have to make sure our kids have support in schools. We didn’t see widespread support 10 years ago.”
• “Vulnerability is strength.”

Prescott takeaways:

• “When my brother died, I went back to my room and wrote down – one life lost for thousands more saved.” (Mental health and suicide prevention is one of the pillars of his foundation.)
• “Depression and anxiety can overwhelm you. I realized that during the first month of COVID. Sunny days felt dark, and my big house and yard felt small and closed in.”
• “We have the obligation to take care of ourselves and neighbors. Help your neighbors and loved ones.”
• “We have hope. React in a healthy way.”

Three local students joined Prescott and Thomas on stage to ask questions. One student, Chloe Moore, asked, “What advice would you give to teenagers if we know someone who is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide?”

Prescott replied, “Be a friend and talk about it. Ask how are you really doing?’ Pick at the fire. Put that really in there. Say things like, ‘I’m here for you. I’ve noticed small changes in your behavior.’”

Thomas reiterated how important it is to be a friend and to be open about talking about going to therapy and sharing what he learned to normalize the conversations about mental health and getting help.

After the presentation, Hall presented the Beacon Award to both Prescott and Thomas for their leadership on and off the field to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

Recent Grant Halliburton Foundation updates:

• Since 2006, the Foundation has reached more than 300,000 students and adults with mental health education.
• The HereForTexas.com website provides the public with a searchable database of more than 900 mental health providers across North Texas.
• The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line provides people with a number to call for help finding mental health resources for their loved ones.
• The Spanish version of the Here For Texas website launches this month.

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 300,000 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.

NFL football greats, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Solomon Thomas of the New York Jets, will be the featured speakers for Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon on Tuesday, March 7 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

Both young men are on a mission to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Prescott has shared openly about his own mental health challenges. He established the Faith Fight Finish Foundation as a tribute to his mom, Peggy, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2013, and its work also honors his brother, Jace, who died by suicide in 2020. Faith Fight Finish invests in a better future by empowering individuals, families and communities to find strength through adversity. Mental health and suicide prevention is one of the organization’s four main pillars of work, and Prescott’s goal is to champion every person struggling with mental illness by helping them to know that their life matters and that they are not alone.

Similarly, Thomas lost his sister, Ella, to suicide in 2018 and has spoken openly to his teammates, other players and the public. He co-founded The Defensive Line with his parents, Martha and Chris Thomas, and the organization focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. Off the field, Solomon has dedicated his life to sharing Ella’s story. His courage to vulnerably share his experience through national media outlets like CNN, ESPN, The New York Times and others has established him as a respected advocate in the field. Solomon was the recipient of the 2019 AFSP Lifesavers Award and works closely with the NFL to improve mental health programming in the league.

The Beacon of Hope Luncheon supports Grant Halliburton Foundation’s work to provide education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health. Tickets are $225 per person, and sponsorships start at $2,500. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit GrantHalliburton.org/boh.

At 10:30 a.m., the Luncheon welcome reception begins, and guests can purchase raffle tickets for a variety of raffle packages. DJ Lucy Wrubel will provide pre-luncheon entertainment during the reception. The program featuring the conversation with Prescott and Thomas begins at 11:30 a.m. with Steve Noviello, Emmy award-winning FOX 4 News anchor and reporter as emcee. Andy Adler, CBS 11 sports anchor and children’s rights activist, will serve as the moderator. Jeanie and Bert Conly and Family are luncheon chairs, Natalie Hatchett and Courtney Hubbard are luncheon vice chairs, and founding luncheon chair is Barb Farmer.

“We invite you to join us for a conversation with two NFL athletes, Dak and Solomon, who found strength in vulnerability,” said Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation. “Both athletes have made mental health and suicide prevention a priority, and their stories will help Grant Halliburton Foundation as we work to curb this epidemic and keep our young people healthy and here.”

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.

In the last 17 years, the Foundation has provided mental health education, training and support to nearly 300,000 students, educators, parents and professionals, thanks to funds raised from the Beacon of Hope Luncheon.

Some 2022 highlights include:

• The Foundation’s Thrive program, which helps schools change the way they address mental health, grew from 56 to 119 schools in the past year.

• The Hope Squad program, a student-led peer-to-peer group that promotes mental health and suicide prevention in schools, grew from 16 to 49 schools in the past year.

• Grant Halliburton Foundation co-hosted the first-ever Hope Squad conference, drawing more than 1,500 Hope Squad students from across North Texas.

• The Foundation launched a young professionals group, GHF YP, with more than 90 members.

• In April, the nonprofit moved to Pegasus Park–a brilliant vision from Lyda Hill Philanthropies to create a community of nonprofits working collaboratively.

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 300,000 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.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

DAK PRESCOTT, the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback and team captain, earns recognition for his leadership on and off the field. Known for his authenticity, Dak’s willingness to share his family’s story and talk openly about his own mental health challenges has started a revolution across our country. He established the Faith Fight Finish Foundation as a tribute to his mom, Peggy, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2013, and its work honors his brother, Jace, who died by suicide in 2020. The foundation invests in a better future by empowering individuals, families and communities to find strength through adversity. Mental health and suicide prevention is one of the foundation’s four main pillars of work, and Dak’s goal is to champion every person struggling with mental illness by helping them to know that their life matters and that they are not alone.

Dallas native SOLOMON THOMAS has played six seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle. Solomon experienced an unimaginable loss five years ago, when his big sister Ella died by suicide. This traumatic and personal loss led the Thomas family to start The Defensive Line, which focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. Solomon has dedicated his life to sharing Ella’s story. His courage to vulnerably share his experience through national media outlets like CNN, ESPN, The New York Times and others has established him as a respected advocate in the field. Solomon was the recipient of the 2019 AFSP Lifesavers Award and works closely with the NFL to improve mental health programming in the league.