United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has partnered with the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation and Educate Texas to help families in two Southern Dallas school districts bounce back from the pandemic and rediscover a love of learning.
Southern Dallas County was among the areas hardest hit by COVID-19 and will be the focus for the new initiative called Heal, Play, Learn. The new program is designed to encourage Cedar Hill and DeSoto ISD students’ social and emotional wellness, physical activity and engagement with the arts and sciences after more than a year of pandemic-related learning disruption and limited in-person activities.
Heal, Play, Learn is funded through a $897,000 grant from the TI Foundation and is in partnership with Educate Texas. Social impact firm CoSpero Consulting is supporting project management and program strategy.
“COVID-19 turned life upside down for North Texas students, especially in southern Dallas County,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “We’re grateful to the TI Foundation, Educate Texas, and Cedar Hill and DeSoto ISD for recognizing an opportunity to lift up students in these areas after an extremely challenging year. Together with our partners, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is working to ensure North Texas students can reach their full potential in school while also leading healthy, fulfilling lives.”
