Juliette Fowler Communities of Dallas will build a $3 million facility called The Ebby House for young women who have aged out of the foster care system.
Named in honor of Dallas real estate icon and philanthropist Ebby Halliday Acers, The Ebby House will serve up to 16 women ages 18-22 at a time, providing a residential home, mentors and training in "life skills," with a special focus on entrepreneurialism and self-reliance, said Sabrina Porter, President and CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities.
Fowler still needs to raise about $1 million to complete The Ebby House renovation, which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2014.
Every year, about 1,500 young Texans “age out” of the foster care system. Before the age of 21, many of them face bleak futures. Tragically, without skills and the support of a family, 84 percent of these young girls become a parent within two to four years of leaving a foster home, 51 percent are unemployed, 50 percent are homeless, 30 percent receive government assistance and 25 percent are in prison.
Porter was joined by Halliday at a special event on June 26 at Juliette Fowler Communities, 1234 Abrams Road, to announce the project. Ebby Halliday is Fowler’s 2013 Visionary Woman of the Year.
Ebby Halliday recognized the need to empower women and opened doors for many by providing careers and economic opportunity, Porter said. Today, Ebby’s legacy will live on through the doors of this new facility, she said.
“Through our partnerships and our professional expertise, these young women will be mentored in life skills, career choices, education and job training,” Porter said. They will learn practical skills like how to cook from Fowler chefs and how to manage finances from business owners and executives.
Residents of The Ebby House will be selected through an application process. Residents will be overseen by a house mother for a period of 12 to 24 months. The purpose of the program would not be simply caring for these young women, but equipping them for life, Porter emphasized.
And, the residents will learn first hand one of Ebby Halliday’s favorite mottos, “Do something good for someone every day.” The girls will also learn the importance of giving back to the community from volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering in the renovation of this innovative mission, contact Tammy Vines at Juliette Fowler Communities, 214-515-1344.
Located on 24 acres, Fowler is home today to approximately 355 adults and offers independent and assisted living apartments, long-term and skilled nursing care and subsidized apartments for the elderly and the mobility-impaired.
Founded by Juliette Fowler in 1892 with a $4,000 gift and the land to start a home for indigent women and children, The Ebby House will be another realization of Juliette Fowler’s dream.