Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Category: Features

  • Dallas-based nonprofit pharmacies’ model delivers on double-bottom line

    Prism Health North Texas (PHNTX) is the largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the region and has expanded its services to reach more of the North Texas community regardless of socioeconomic or insurance status. The organization provides STI testing and treatment, dental care via three practices in the Dallas area, transgender primary care, and primary care services at its four health centers. The organization regularly provides rent and housing assistance, clothing, and other necessities to its patients in need. They also offer a variety of behavioral health services in addition to healthcare services that allow North Texans to take control of their health.

    A majority of PHNTX patients are low-to-no income with a little more than half having no health insurance. A majority of their patients are Black and Latino/x. The organization saw a need for a pharmacy that provided culturally-competent care and a welcoming environment.

    The need for a PHNTX Pharmacies was first of concern in South Dallas as the closest pharmacy to their clinic was over three miles away, creating a barrier to obtaining medication for patients without reliable transportation. Prior to the pharmacies opening, the clinics did not have a collocated pharmacy nearby or in the same building. By adding a collocated pharmacy, patients have a ‘one top shop’ to take care of their healthcare needs as they can go to their medical appointments, have their prescriptions sent to the collocated pharmacy, and pick up the prescriptions with little to no wait. This ease of access to medications that provide necessary treatment reduces the need for additional appointments and ultimately reduces costs for the organization.

    In 2019 and 2020, PHNTX launched three community-based pharmacies in Dallas to support their clients:

    • South Dallas – 4907 Spring Avenue, Suite 101, Dallas Texas 75210
    • Sunset Avenue – 219 Sunset Avenue, Suite 116A, Dallas Texas 75208
    • Lemmon Avenue – 2801 Lemmon Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas Texas 75204.

    Since opening the pharmacies, more than 4,500 patients have been served across all three locations – with 95.4% of those already being clients of PHNTX clinics. As the pharmacies continue to grow, PHNTX would like for their pharmacies to also become a resource for non-clinic patients living near their clinics and a revenue generator for altruistically-minded patients anywhere in Texas.

    PHNTX Pharmacies offer all of the same advantages of going to a ‘big box retailer’ operated pharmacy but because they are a nonprofit, a portion of the profits can go back into their other community services.

    Anyone can use the PHNTX Pharmacies and they accept most major insurers, cash customers and delivery is free with some restrictions. They can deliver anywhere in the state of Texas. There are some insurance plans that will not allow delivery or require specific delivery methods, but anyone can call the pharmacy to discuss the available delivery options and choose the best one for them.

    Patients can easily transfer their prescriptions to a PHTNX pharmacy at phntxpharmacy.org/prescriptions.

  • DFW501c.news seeks Nonprofit Advisory Council members

    DFW501c.news seeks to be the premier nonprofit news source for North Texas nonprofit professionals. With the success of its first five years of reporting nonprofit news in North Texas, DFW501c.news is seeking members of the North Texas nonprofit community to serve on a Nonprofit Advisory Council.

    The Nonprofit Advisory Council will meet virtually four times annually and provide perspective, ideas and opinions to the DFW501c.news team. The Nonprofit Advisory Council helps our team provide greater value to the DFW-area nonprofit sector.

    Any individual professionally working in the nonprofit sector in North Texas is eligible to apply. To express an interest in serving, please email your interest and a link to your Linked In page to the DFW501c.news team at info@DFW501.com.

  • Local foundations open study group for philanthropy leaders

    Registration has opened for the 2023 Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) Study Group. The group brings professional advisors and nonprofit leaders together to learn about charitable planning.

    Hosted by Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation and C3 Financial Partners, the collaborative forum also allows participants to build lasting professional networks.

    The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation is administered by The American College of Financial Services. It provides wealth advisors and nonprofit professionals education on the strategies of philanthropic planning, so they can advise clients and donors on charitable giving.

    Participants gain the ability to collaborate with clients on legacy planning through a cross-disciplinary curriculum that synthesizes the art and science of philanthropic planning. Topics include taxation, finance, fundraising, purposeful planning, family office dynamics, psychology, and strategic philanthropy.

    The North Texas CAP Study Group is among the first in the country. It will run from January 9 – July 24, 2023. The deadline to register online is December 10.
     

  • Profile: Taylor’s Gift Foundation

    Name of Organization: Taylor’s Gift Foundation

    Type of Organization: 501c3

    Executive Director/President/Organization Leader:  Tara Storch, President and Co-Founder

    Year Founded: 2010

    Geographic region served: National; based in DFW.

    Annual Budget: $181,000

    Number of Staff: 3

    Number of Volunteers: 50+

    Organizational Mission: Taylor’s Gift Foundation’s mission is to provide free emotional and grief support to organ, eye, and tissue donor families.

    Origin: In March of 2010, on their first day of vacation in Colorado, Todd and Tara Storch were faced with something they never thought they would ever face in their lifetime – their oldest daughter Taylor had been in a skiing accident, and the doctors told them there was no hope of her surviving.

    Sitting in shock in the hospital that day, they were asked a question that forever changed their lives.  “Your daughter is a beautiful candidate for organ donation, would you consider it?” Immediately they said yes. 

    Taylor saved and improved the lives of five people with her gifts of life. Her heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and cornea gave individuals a second chance at life. 

    Organ donation created a mix of emotions for the Storch family; Grief because of the sudden loss and Gratitude because Taylor saved lives. Their pain sparked a purpose for sharing the importance of organ donation and for helping others who are walking a similar grief journey which led to the creation of Taylor’s Gift Foundation.

    Through their experience, the Kindred Hearts Program was created as the foundation’s signature program.

    Programs and Services: The Kindred Hearts Program available through Taylor’s Gift Foundation exists so that no organ, eye, or tissue donor family ever grieves alone. The grief support services provided within the program have no costs to donor families and is available across the nation. 

    When Taylor’s Gift is connected with a donor family, the organization reaches out within 24-48 hours to offer support. If the family would like to receive grief support, they are assigned a personal Caring Guide. Support Groups are also available to the family.

    All of the organization’s Caring Guides and Support Group Facilitators have lost a loved one. In addition to this lived experience, the Caring Guides and Support Group Facilitators have participated in and completed a comprehensive training workshop for their specific role. As certified grief peer professionals, Caring Guides support donor families through peer-to-peer relationships. All support group facilitators are trained experts in Taylor’s Gift Foundation and have experienced similar pain and trauma to the participating donor families. 

    This grief support is available at no cost to each individual in the family – and to the family as a whole – for as long as the family needs support, which could be a year or more. 

    Donor families learn about the Kindred Hearts Program through social media, family, friends, medical professionals, and Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs).

    The need for the grief services provided by the Kindred Hearts Program continues to grow on a daily basis. 

    Formative Moment: In late 2010, Taylor’s story was featured on Good Morning America along with the moment where Taylor’s loved ones first met Patricia, the recipient of Taylor’s heart. The moment they listened to Taylor’s heartbeat within Patricia was so powerful it left the Good Morning America hosts silent and tearful for a long moment. 

    Taylor’s Gift Foundation was also featured on Ellen and the Today Show, and was chosen as Heroes Among Us from People Magazine. 

    Following the national media exposure, Taylor’s family was approached about writing a book, which was eventually published in 2013. The book, entitled Taylor’s Gift, with a foreword by Max Lucado, talked of faith, family, and finding purpose. It shares the raw and real journey of the family and the hope that can follow. 

    The process of writing this book was difficult and amazing at the same time. It was a way to let everything out.

    Recent Highlight: The Kindred Hearts Program was recently recognized by the prestigious Langone Health at NYU. They recognized the need in the nation for emotional and grief support, specifically for donor families, and acknowledged that the Kindred Hearts Program is filling a gap. Through their partnership, there is now a national pilot program and research study about the Kindred Hearts Program.

    Funding Model: Funding comes from individuals, sponsorships, events, and giving opportunities such as monthly giving and special campaigns. Taylor’s Gift Foundation is currently engaging a grant writer to assist with additional funding requests. An active board is also assisting with development.

    The Need: Organ, eye, and tissue donation usually happen because of an unexpected accident or tragedy. Family members are grieving and trying to navigate the sudden loss of their loved one who was able to give others life through organ, eye, and/or tissue donation.  In 2021, there were 13,861 donors in the US. In addition to that number, there are donor-in-spirit families who altruistically say “yes” to donation, but the donation process is not able to be completed. That would equate to thousands of family members who are grieving.  

    All of these families are called donor families. All are grieving the sudden loss of their loved one.

    Many times, people don’t search out grief support because they feel that they can’t afford it or don’t know where to find others that have experienced a similar situation who could relate. Taylor’s Gift Foundation never wants finances to get in the way of donor families getting the emotional support they need. That is why its services are free of charge. And all of the leaders within the Kindred Hearts Program have experienced personal loss.

    There needs to be more awareness that the Kindred Hearts Program is widely available as a grief support resource. Taylor’s Gift Foundation wants donor families to know: There is help. There is hope. Their loved one’s gift goes on. They can, too.

    Challenges: Resources to bring on talent to extend the reach of the foundation is a challenge. As the organization grows, it needs more hands to extend its reach. Hiring a Program Manager is top priority, along with additional Caring Guides.

    Lastly, Taylor’s Gift Foundation sees a challenge in keeping the organization’s message fresh and engaging to the public. Consistent and creative messaging and marketing efforts are needed to keep the organization top-of-mind.

    Short and Long-Term Goals: Since the Kindred Hearts Program became fully active in March 2022, Taylor’s Gift Foundation has served 40 families (55 individuals). However, the number of families reaching out for support continues to increase weekly.  By the end of 2022, the goal is to assist a total of 100 families.

    The cost to implement the program is $2000 per-family, to provide them a year of free grief support through the Kindred Hearts Program. In 2023, Taylor’s Gift Foundation strives to serve 200 families. The long-term goal is to provide 1000 families with the Kindred Hearts Program over the next 5 years.

    Website: https://www.taylorsgift.org

  • Changing the face of philanthropy

    So often the word alone, “philanthropy” evokes a perception of someone or a group of individuals that don’t look like me or mirror the communities they service. In actuality, Black Americans are immensely effective and generous philanthropists however, when discussing “philanthropy” our voices and images are often not included.

    • In 2020, The Washington Post reported that nearly two-thirds of Black households donate to community-based organizations and causes, to the tune of $11 billion each year, according to a joint 2012 study from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Black households on average give away 25 percent more of their income per year than Whites.

    The Village Giving Circle is redefining what “the face” of philanthropy looks like. Philanthropy in the Black community isn’t new.  Black women have been giving in our community since the beginning of time. Perhaps that giving wasn’t always monetarily, but nonetheless it was giving what you had to make someone else’s life was better.  That is what we do as Black women and so we want to honor this tradition of giving, continue it, and expand it. 

    August is Black Philanthropy Month, and while we are focused on giving year-round, we want to pause to highlight the generosity of Black women. The age old saying, “there’s strength in numbers” holds true for many things philanthropy included. Collective giving is synergistic, strategic, and active — and we admire our giving circle members’ compassion and commitment to our causes that matter to our community and our desire to redefine the face of philanthropy in Texas and around the nation.

    There are many elements that are a part of building healthy communities. Some of those are affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare and quality education and our work in supporting in these areas speaks volumes.

    In just 5 short years, The Village Giving Circle has reached $1MM in total giving.  We don’t host any major fundraisers, we simply share the need in our community and the women of The Village give in support of those organizations who are in the trenches with some of the challenges facing our communities—doing the work to uplift the most vulnerable among us.  We are continuing to redefine the power of Black women and the power of collective giving.

    Since 2017, the number of Black non-profits seeking grant dollars from The Village has more than tripled.  Unlike other grant programs, which generally demand the completion of an application of at least 20 pages, the Village Giving Circle’s application is only four pages.

    A lot of larger non-profit operations have grant writers on staff.  They have fully functioning development teams— so these organizations have the resources and the know-how to go after grant dollars. Many of the Black-run non-profits may only have a staff of one or two people. So, even to complete a grant application is a stretch for them. We want to level the playing field for some of the smaller, less well known non-profits. One of the other differences that we see is our non-profits are in the trenches with some of the challenges that face our community.”

    With each new year, tradition asks us not just to look ahead but to also look back at the progress we’ve made, the habits we’ve developed and the goals we hope to build on. For us, that means the passion that helps us elevate and tell the story about the collective giving power of philanthropic Black women.

    Collectively, we are fierce — an unyielding force that celebrates the lives and livelihoods of our people and the communities they look to serve.

    Black philanthropy undeniably matters — to our grantees, to our supporters, to our people and in our communities.  I feel incredibly honored to be doing this work and most importantly, to be doing it alongside my sisters and women that I respect and who are as passionate as I am about our elevating our community.  We were made for this moment!

  • Profile: Southside Community Garden

    Name of Organization: Southside Community Garden, an initiative of By Any Means 104

    Type of Organization: 501C3 

    Leadership: Patrice Jones, Founder; Alison Pope, Co-Founder

    Board Members: Dr. Michael E. Brooks, Brenda Patton, Sara Fairley-Luna, Amy Meade, Dr. Bradley J. Borougerdi, Hon. Mary Ellen Hicks

    Year Founded: 2020 

    Geographic Region Served: 76104 zip code (located in Fort Worth)

    Annual Budget: $25,000

    Number of Staff: 0 

    Number of Volunteers: 200+

    Organizational Mission: Southside Community Gardens works toward restoring the relationship between food consumption and food growing. The organization follows a “teach to fish” philosophy: it is focused on the learning process, with each household participating in the gardening process from seedling to whole tomato. Organizers of Southside Community Garden believe access to healthy food is a right and knowing how to grow food is one path. The movement was started from an awareness that racism directly impacts the health and diet of Black and brown people worldwide, and food autonomy is a vital part of achieving justice.

    Origin: Southside Community Gardens founder Patrice Jones and co-founder Alison Pope met during the George Floyd uprising while protesting and speaking out at City Hall in 2020. In July of that year, Jones organized a mural to be created in honor of Atatiana Jefferson, who was murdered in her home in the 76104 zip code by former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean the year before. 

    During preparation for the mural, Jones noticed a lack of access to healthy snacks needed to feed volunteers while they were working on the public art project. Pope researched the area and discovered news articles published in 2018 which showed the area suffered from food apartheid, and has the lowest life expectancy in the state of Texas – both of which are the direct effects of systemic racism. The area has no grocery stores, health clinics or pharmacies, and the life expectancy in 76104 is 12 ½ years younger than the state average. Jones sought to change that and improve well-being in the community – by any means necessary. 

    From this need, an idea emerged to build home gardens so members of the community could access fresh fruits and vegetables without requiring transportation. 

    Programs and Services: Southside Community Garden is the inaugural program of By Any Means 104. It is a network of home gardeners, partners, and organizers who share a passion and commitment for growing vegetables, learning sustainability, and promoting justice through food. Through community support and solidarity, garden materials are provided at no cost to home gardeners in the 76104 zip code of Fort Worth to build a raised-bed garden. Volunteers help with the construction and initial planting. Home gardeners are the primary caretaker of their garden, and keep the food they grow. Partners donate their time and gardening expertise throughout the growing season to support home gardeners in the learning process. To date, 50 gardens have been built in front and back yards throughout the area served. 

    Formative Moment: The first raised-bed garden built was in February 2021 for James Smith, the neighbor of Atatiana Jefferson who made a non-emergency call to Fort Worth Police Department requesting a wellness check for his neighbor the night she was murdered. Mr. Smith was ecstatic to have his garden built, to be able to finally have a place of peace at this home – in his backyard. After the murder of Atatiana, he no longer wanted to be on his front porch and see the home of the victim of police brutality. 

    Recent Highlight: Southside Community Garden was featured on the front page of the Star-Telegram on Earth Day 2021, and received a resolution from the Texas House of Representatives in the Spring of 2022. Another highlight was the final spring-season build-day on June 30. Organizers were joined by three active City Council members, employees from American Airlines and Marc Veasey with the United States Congress Office to construct the season’s final raised bed gardens. 

    Funding Model: Southside Community Gardens is primarily funded through crowd-sourced, community-based donations. A grant has been received from United Way of Tarrant/BraveR Together. 

    Challenges: The nonprofit sector needs blueprints for how to start and operate long-sustaining nonprofits and provide equitable solutions for people of color. 

    Future Vision: Organizers would like to connect residents in 76104 with all things healthcare-related to combat disease and counter the miseducation that leads to early demise. 

    Organizational Culture: Volunteers who help build the raised gardens and support the home gardeners routinely speak about how peaceful, therapeutic and enlightening their experience was. All the volunteers have come out more than once to help build gardens.

    Short and Long-Term Goals: In the next 12 months, Southside Community Gardens wants to ensure its home gardeners have the support necessary to maintain their gardens, from resources to additional monetary support for utility expenses (as needed). The organization also wants to secure space to house materials used for the garden builds, and secure transport for gardening items such as soil, tools, plants and wheelbarrows. A priority is to secure funding for operational support, including the salaries for the Executive Director and Garden Manager. Within 5 years, the organization’s leaders seek to be established in a physical location offering wrap-around support to the community of 76104, such as mental health support, access to financial services that close the wealth gap, safety intervention in lieu of emergency police services and more. 

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Southside Community Gardens, an initiative of By Any Means 104, is a Black-led organization. Its organizers center racial equity in both mission and action by empowering clients to lead the improvement of their well-being. Through volunteer training, each person who engages with the organization is made critically aware of systemic racism and how to engage the community with cultural competency rather than white saviorism. Garden partners are provided training on the race-based causes of the issues in the 76104 community, such as the impact that redlining had on creating a food apartheid landscape. 

    Website: www.southsidecommunitygarden.com

  • Taste Project plans expansion with second location in Arlington

    The Arlington City Council recently approved a 10-year lease agreement to bring the nonprofit Taste Project‘s pay-what-you-can community restaurant concept to the heart of Downtown Arlington. Amon G. Carter Foundation has provided funding for the project.

    Taste Project, an organization designed to help feed, educate and serve Tarrant County’s food insecure residents, opened its first Taste Community Restaurant in Fort Worth in 2017. Since then, it has served more than 125,000 diners. The nonprofit is now working to open a second location on Cooper Street, just north of The University of Texas at Arlington, by early 2024.

    Taste Project plans to renovate the building for its new location, which was formerly used by the Water Utilities Department and the Arlington Public Library. It will be transformed into a 3,000 square-foot, 100-plus seat full-service restaurant that includes a 1,500 square-foot production kitchen, culinary classroom and headquarter office.

    Taste Project received a $100,000 lead gift from the Amon G. Carter Foundation to begin transforming the industrial building. Project costs are estimated between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.

    “The Carter Foundation remains aware of the significant issue in regard to food insecurity and commends Taste Project’s commitment to feeding, educating, and serving Tarrant County residents,” says John Robinson, executive vice president at the Amon G. Carter Foundation.  “Based on Taste Project’s success at its Fort Worth location, we applaud the organization’s achievement in securing a significant commitment from the City of Arlington.”

    The future Arlington restaurant will offer meals made from local seasonal ingredients. Diners are asked to pay what they can afford, pay what they would typically pay, or pay what they would typically pay plus a little extra to help a neighbor in need.

    Additionally, Taste Project will offer its farm and garden program and its culinary job training programs that will provide paid work experience for low-income adults and adults with barriers to employment.

    “I have always known God’s plans for Taste Project are bigger than Fort Worth,” said Jeff Williams, founder and executive director of Taste Project.  “We could not have asked for a more perfect partner than the City of Arlington to feed, educate, and serve even more people in our community.”

    Addressing food insecurity for Arlington residents is a top priority. According to the 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan for the City of Arlington, low and moderate-income individuals and households typically do not have regular access to healthy food because they lack adequate transportation and affordable healthy food choices.

    The future Arlington restaurant is located within walking distance of UTA, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, and numerous Downtown homes and businesses. The location is also easily accessible through Arlington’s affordable citywide on-demand public transportation service, Via Rideshare.

    “We are excited to partner with Taste Project to ensure good food for everyone,” said Mayor Jim Ross. “The organization’s unique approach to helping those in need, while building community, makes it a great fit for the City of Arlington.”

    Taste Project offers culinary training programs where its graduates receive job placement at $15 an hour on average. According to the Department of Labor, entry level food service positions, typically in fast food, start between minimum wage and $11 per hour. But adults with certified training can obtain living wage positions in full-service and fine dining restaurants, and production kitchens—which is an expanding marketplace and a growing need for Arlington businesses, Taste Project leaders say.

    Taste Project enlisted Coeval Studio based in Dallas to design and layout the building renovations for its 200 N. Cooper Street location. Lead designers Miguel Vicens and Joh Paul Valverde completed the design work for Taste Project’s Fort Worth location and the duo will look to create the same warm and inviting atmosphere in Arlington.

    Taste Project’s agreement with the City of Arlington includes two five-year options to renew.

  • DFW501c adds nonprofit profiles to digital news content

    DFW501c adds nonprofit profiles to digital news content

    DFW501c Nonprofit Business Journal is expanding its scope of coverage to better serve local nonprofit news readers. Beginning this month, select issues of the digital publication will feature a spotlight feature highlighting a nonprofit, mutual aid group or community movement in North Texas.

    The profiles will report operational aspects of profiled entities and key organizational highlights. DFW501c is adding this new content to introduce the sector to new or emerging organizations and public benefit efforts in the region.

    To be considered for a profile feature in DFW501c, organizations must complete a profile questionnaire. Entities of all sizes that serve Dallas, Tarrant and surrounding counties are invited to submit responses. Special consideration will be given to emerging and grassroots initiatives as well as nonprofits led by or serving BIPOC communities.

    Interested organizations can email Barbara Clark-Galupi to request the feature.

  • GSNETX hosts nontraditional ‘camping and coding’ experience for girls

    Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) recently hosted 20 high school girls from across the country at its Biomedical Engineering Destination Camp, sponsored by McKesson. The program served girls with an interest in engineering, coding and medicine.

    STEM is the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy and a space where women are woefully underrepresented. The camp furthered GSNETX’s goal of closing the gap for STEM access and changing the trajectory of the STEM workforce pipeline in North Texas.

    The one-of-a-kind Biomedical Engineering Destination camp was conducted at the GSNETX STEM Center of Excellence in South Dallas and 15 states were represented among the attendees.

    Attendees explored real-world topics, like how the heart shrinks in size in astronauts that spend significant time in gravity, how to design prosthetic and assistive materials utilizing 3D printing technologies, and how to design an effective sterilization or sanitization system to defend against viral and terminal viruses. Texas Instruments and iCode facilitated the workshops focusing on medical coding.

    Participants also experienced offsite trips to Texas Christian University, Scottish Rite for Children, McKesson Corporation and Reunion Tower. The field trip to the McKesson offices including a discussion with Nancy Flores, Executive Vice President & Chief Information and Technology Officer, who spoke about her leadership journey.

    The camp also incorporated key Girl Scout activities, such as a low ropes course, archery, ziplining and traditional Girl Scout camping.

  • Rivertree Academy hit with PR crisis rooted in founding approach

    Earlier this month a member of one of Fort Worth’s most active social media channels, Tanglewood Mom’s Facebook group, posted a plea for help for an elderly woman from the Como neighborhood of Fort Worth being forced to leave her home by a neighborhood nonprofit.  The post garnered comments, criticism and support for the cause. 

    The Como neighborhood is a 1 square mile historically African-American neighborhood on the west side of Fort Worth. Como has preserved its boundaries and fought off profiteering development for more than 50 years and boasts a strong sense of pride, community and preservation.

    The original Facebook post shared a GoFundMe page to support 88-year-old Ms. Cleo Young’s efforts to relocate after being evicted from her home of nearly 40 years by Rivertree Academy. 

    Rivertree Academy is a Christian private school located in Como dedicated to serving Christ by educating children.  Rivertree Academy was founded in 2011 by Dr. Randy Brown, who had been working with children in the Lake Como community through after-school and summer programs since 2006.

    Rivertree Academy

    Rivertree’s enrollment has steadily grown since its opening and the organization began purchasing additional property in Como in anticipation of future expansion.  They purchased the home occupied by Ms. Cleo Young seven years ago from an investor and initiated a year-to year lease with her.  In the fall of 2021, Rivertree Academy informed Ms. Young that they would not be renewing her lease in August of 2022. 

    Since that time, family members of Ms. Young and Como community activist have been actively advocating on her behalf.  In their very public advocacy, Rivertree Academy’s reputation and standing in the Como community and beyond has taken a hit.

    Rivertree’s Head of School, Dr. Justina Jenkins, has been actively working with Ms. Young, her family and the neighborhood to develop a transition plan for Ms. Young.  “When it comes to this situation, it is complicated but the easy thing that came out of this is that both sides want what is best for Ms. Young,” said Dr. Jenkins.  Rivertree has provided resources, including but not exclusive to financial support, that ensure that Ms. Young will continue to live in Como. 

    Dr. Justina Jenkins, Head of School

    Rivertree is taking this opportunity to reflect internally.  “This situation has provided us an opportunity to listen, being mindful of our challenges and mistakes can help us learn and grow,” says Jenkins. 

    After serving as Principal for a private Christian school in Atlanta, Dr. Jenkins joined Rivertree Academy as their head of school 3 years ago.  Dr. Jenkins had some early reservations about working for Rivertree and concerns the organization was rooted in white saviorism.

    White savior complex, sometimes called white savior syndrome or white saviorism, refers to those who work from the assumption that they know best what Black, Indigenous and People of Color BIPOC folks need.

    Rivertree’s founder, Dr. Randy Brown is a white physician of means.  Their Board of Directors is primarily white individuals of means.  The organization’s primary revenue model is white wealthy donors.  On the surface all this appeared to add up to a strong case of white saviorism.

    Dr. Randy Brown, Founder

    Dr. Jenkins’ opinion changed after more in depth conversations she had with the board and volunteers. She felt they both recognized and understood that their original premise, perceptions and approach to their work needed to change.  They recognized that they knew less than they needed to know in order to be supportive and helpful to the community of Como. 

    “I have had so many conversations with our board and they are listening and growing and Rivertree is becoming a better place as a result of their understanding of their lack of understanding,” said Dr. Jenkins.

    The plan now is to move forward with a new understanding.  Dr. Jenkins is actively working towards more Como community representation and input in the organization’s decision-making processes and participating more actively in community-building.   

    Rivertree Academy has experienced tremendous growth and success under Dr. Jenkins’ tenure.  Over 97% of their students come from Como and their enrollment is based on financial need.  Dr. Jenkins has overseen critical instruction and curriculum changes and achieved dual accreditations with ACSI and Cognia where the organization was specifically commended on their social emotional learning achievements.   

    Dr. Jenkins has worked to significantly increase the percentage of students performing on or above math reading grade level from the 40% that did before she joined Rivertree.  At the end of last school year, Rivertree had made significant strides with 78% of students reading on or above grade level – with 40% of them reading above grade level, and 70% of students performing on or above grade level in math. 

    Rivertree is currently working towards becoming a trauma-informed school focusing on whole-child wellness.  “We cannot help these children reach their academic potential without addressing their social and emotional wellness too,” says Dr. Jenkins.   

    Rivertree has an opportunity to forge a new, more equitable, approach from their origin story.  “What I have been challenged to do is feel like not everything can be changed in a day – things have to be one thought or one conversation at a time using data and results as evidence,” say Dr. Jenkins.