2025 Grantee Selection Board Alumnae
After8toEducate
Angela Encisco, Executive Director
4212 E Grand Ave
Dallas, TX 75223, USA (469) 914-1700 www.after8toeducate.com
PurposeofGrant:
After8toEducatewaslaunchedin2017asthefirstall-encompassingprogramtosupport unhousedhighschoolyouthinDallas.HousedattheFannieC.HarrisYouthCenter,itfeatures adrop-incenterinthenorthwingandatransitionallivingprograminthesouthwing
Studiesindicatethatonlyabouthalfofteenmotherscompletehighschool,comparedtoa 90%graduationrateforwomenwhodonothaveateenbirth.Thissignificantdisparityin educationalattainmentputsyoungmothersathigherriskofpovertyanditsassociated challenges,suchaslimitedeconomicopportunities,foodinsecurity,unstablehousing, exposuretoviolence,andloweroverallphysicalandmentalhealthoutcomesforthemselves andtheirchildren
After8toEducateanticipatesserving60pregnantorparentingyouthovera12-monthperiod Theyoungwomenreceivesupportfortheirimmediateneeds,wraparoundservices,mental healthsupport,familyreunificationeffortswhendesired,andplacementinhousingwhen appropriateandpossible.
A$40,000grantwillhelpAfter8toeducatelaunchatargetedpregnantandparentingyouth programincludingtwice-monthlyeducationgroupstohelpyouthmovetowardstabilityfor themselvesandtheirchildren Thesegroupswillfocusontopicssuchaspregnancyconcerns, workforceskillsdevelopment,resumebuilding,interviewing,workplaceconflictresolution, balancingworkandfamily,healthyparentinganddisciplinestrategies,andparental wellbeingpractices
Inaddition,fundingwillremovebarrierstojobinterviewssuchastransportation,clothing, childcarecostsandwillsupportGEDtestingtohelpmotherswhohavenotgraduatedfrom highschooltoincreasetheirqualificationsforemployment Awelcomekitisprovidedfor youthnewtotheprogramandincludesdiapers,babyclothes,formula,wipes,etc with vouchersalsoavailabletoselectotherneededitemsfromanon-sitecloset.Staffcase managementwillsupportpregnantyouthaccesstoconsistentprenatalhealthcare,consider andidentifyhousingthatissuitableforlivingwithababy,andprovideemotionalsupportand guidancethroughthechallengesofpregnancyandearlymotherhoodwhileutilizing appropriateevidence-basedmethods Whiletheprimarytargetpopulationsforthisprogram arepregnantyouthandyoungmothers,theyalsowelcomefathers/partnerswhowantto participate.
Pregnantandparentingyouthcanredirecttheirlifetrajectorytowardgreatereconomic stabilityandwellbeingandoffertheirchildrentheopportunitytoovercomesystemicbarriers andachieveeconomicstabilityandwellbeing.
PurposeofOrganization:
ThemissionofAfter8toEducateistoimprovelifeoutcomesandpromote self-sufficiencybygivingunshelteredhighschoolstudentsasafeplaceand offeringeducationasapathwayoutofhomelessnessandpoverty
Bonton Enterprises
Gabrielle “Gabe” Madison, President & CEO
6911 Bexar St
Dallas, TX 75215 (972) 982-2245 www.bontonfarms.org
Purpose of Grant:
A $40,000 will support the buildout and program design of Bonton Farms' Valentine location to provide childcare for its Seedtime to Harvest Apprenticeship program, removing a barrier for women in the community to participate in the trauma-informed workforce readiness program
Bonton Farms has a history of serving those overcoming some of life’s worst obstacles who are often not considered job-ready or likely to be offered work opportunities due to their history Bonton Farms creates job opportunities by using philanthropy to launch debt-free sustainable businesses, while providing individuals with the opportunity and experience necessary to regain economic self-sufficiency. They currently employ 51 staff members and 19 apprentices through their self-paced and peer-driven Seedtime to Harvest Apprenticeship program.
The eight-month curriculum is guided by Bonton Farms’ T.E.A.C.H.E.S. program and is trauma informed with participants receiving counseling, guidance and mentorship from mental health professionals, peer navigators and licensed clinical social workers. Through the workforce development program, apprentices receive a psychosocial assessment and a mental health assessment, which helps the People Development team understand the apprentice's individual needs, help them to set personalized goals, and have the apprentice create a detailed life plan In addition, Bonton has built partnerships with Brinker International, ClubCorp and Hilti, providing apprentices with direct connections for job opportunities after their apprenticeships
While the Seedtime to Harvest Apprenticeship program addresses barriers faced by residents, Bonton Farms this year has identified a barrier that has yet to be addressed. Through the program, Bonton Farms’ employee community members have had a disproportionate number of male apprentices to female. Bonton Farms identified childcare to be the top reason female community members are not available to accept the position as an apprentice To address the barrier, they are building out their Valentine location to create a childcare center The center is available to children of apprentices from infant to five years old during Bonton Farms' business hours to provide an opportunity to extend the reach and opportunities for the women of Bonton
Purpose of Organization:
Bonton Farms’ mission is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm.
