Community Partners of Dallas kicked off the 11^th Annual Change is Good on Saturday, August 26 at CPD Headquarters with a celebration and day of volunteering for event sponsors and members of the event’s host committee.

Chair family Becky and Ted Lange with Reese, Jameson, Asher and Enzo, welcomed more than 65 attendees for a day of fun.  As families arrived, the kids in attendance were encouraged to create their own design for the annual t-shirt, which will be unveiled at the upcoming October 1 event.   

Midway through the event, president and CEO Paige McDaniel welcomed everyone and thanked event sponsors, then gave special recognition to the Change is Good chair family, the Langes as well as honorary grandparents Sandra and Paul Keck and Mary and Larry Lange.    She also thanked all the kids for collecting all their pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and bills over the summer to help change the lives for other kids!

Attendees were then separated by age to help CPD put together hygiene kits and back to school supplies for the abused and neglected children they serve. 

The 11^th annual Change is Good will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Brook Hollow Golf Club.  The fun-filled day will feature activities for all ages, including bungee jumping, prince/princess station, paper airplane zone, GameTruck, Rad Hatter, balloon artist, face painting, bounce houses, and a DJ dance party.  Participating children and teens will turn in the change they collected over the summer in exchange for chances to win exciting prizes.

Tickets are $75 per adult and $35 per child and are on sale now.  To purchase tickets or for more information visit communitypartnersdallas.org or contact shelby@cpdtx.org.

Christopher Row, the 12-year old founder, CEO and chief candle-maker of Row Candles, recently presented a check of $805 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  Row raised the generous contribution through the sales of his hand-made soy candles collection, which he founded as a way to give back after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. 

“JDRF Greater Dallas was honored to accept a check for over $800 from Christopher Row, a young boy who lives with Type 1 diabetes,” remarked Tanya Conovaloff, director of outreach for JDRF.  “It is amazing to see how much time and work he put into his candle-making business, and that he chose for proceeds to be donated to JDRF to help others also living with type 1 diabetes. Christopher is a shining example of how young people in our community can make a real impact in the lives of others.”

Christopher hand-makes his candles from soy wax, in four scents: Lilac, refreshing and light; Spruce, warm and woody; Lavender, subtle and invigorating; and Citrus, clean and sophisticated.  Each candle is packaged in a tin container with lid, perfect for home, office or travel, and makes a great gift.  A single candle can be purchased for $10.00, and a portion of each purchase is donated to the JDRF.

“Thank you to all those who have purchased my candles and helped me raise money for other kids who have Type I diabetes,” said Christopher.  “My goal for this year is to double my donation for JDRF.”

Row Candles can be purchased online at www.rowcandles.com. 

Celebrating 20 years, Jubilee Park & Community Center is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a trio of bracelets designed by Dallas-based designer, Taylor Miller of Hazen Jewelry.

The handmade bracelets feature natural materials, including wood and chyrsophase beads, and a custom brass “Jubilee” charm.   The bracelets will go on sale beginning September 1 at the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange in Highland Park Village, on the Jubilee Park website, www.jubileecenter.org/jewelry , and every Sunday through September and October at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. 

“Jubilee’s impact over the last 20 years has been astounding to watch, and a joy to be part of.  We want more people to be a part of the celebration through these custom bracelets.  With each purchase, children who struggle with special learning needs will have the chance to thrive in Jubilee’s award-winning afterschool and summer program.  Plus they go with everything—a win-win!” remarked Lydia Addy, 20th Anniversary chair.

100% of proceeds from the bracelets will benefit Jubilee Park’s 20^th Anniversary initiative to provide educational enrichment to low-income children with special learning needs. Each bracelet is $50 each or $125 for the set of all three.

“This little trio of bracelets is so versatile and stylish.  Our tagline for the 20^th is ‘Celebrate, Love, Dream’ and I like to think these represent each of those words,” added Marilyn Harbison, 20^th Anniversary host committee and jewelry committee member.  “We hope people will get their holiday shopping done early, and support this great cause.”

For more information about the 20^th anniversary bracelets, visit jubileecenter.org.

About Jubilee Park:

Jubilee Park and Community Center is a catalyst for community renewal and enrichment to the Jubilee Park Neighborhood, a 62- block area in southeast Dallas. Founded in 1997, Jubilee Park and Community Center helps families and other members of the community identify and access resources that help to provide stability and enhance their quality of life through five pillars: education, affordable housing, public health, public safety and economic development.   For more information, visit www.jubileecenter.org.

About Hazen Jewelry

Since 2002, Hazen Jewelry has been dedicated to exquisitely handcrafting playful and feminine jewelry that embodies both timeless elegance and modern sensibility. Designer Taylor Miller finds inspiration at every turn, be it in a sunrise, architecture or a vintage textile. Taylor correlates what she finds awe-inspiring and beautiful in her surroundings into the construction of her work. Each piece is composed of luxurious semi-precious materials, emphasizing the natural stones’ brilliant colors and textures.

Worn with jeans or a little black dress, Hazen Jewelry finishes every outfit with its ease of wear and fashionable presence. Hazen Jewelry is a lifestyle brand, made for the woman who strives to live life passionately, gracefully, and most of all, joyfully. Hazen Jewelry is sold in boutiques and specialty stores worldwide for your convenience and enjoyment!

Mary Kay Inc, The Mary Kay Foundation^SM and Tootsies celebrated the 9^th annual Suits for Shelters with a “Think Pink Launch Party” on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. 

Hosts Maleiah and Ryan Rogers welcomed 150 partygoers, who arrived with donations of new and gently used women’s professional attire for local domestic violence shelters. Each donor received a gift card as a “thank you” for their generous donation.

Attendees mingled while sipping wine and champagne and nibbling on light bites by Ford’s Kitchen Catering. Models, sporting the hottest summer trends, were on view, as partygoers shopped the store’s selections. 

Mystery boxes were available for purchase for $100, $250 and $500, featuring prizes of jewelry, local hot spots, sporting events, fashion items and more, with all proceeds benefiting The Mary Kay Foundation^SM. Raffle tickets were also on sale, with attendees buying their chances to win one of three prizes: a $100 Tootsies gift card and a Mary Kay gift basket; a $500 Tootsies Gift Card, a personal styling session at Tootsies and a Mary Kay Gift Basket and the grand prize a $5,000 contribution in the winner’s name to the domestic violence shelter of their choice, donated by Maleiah and Ryan Rogers. 

Mid-way through the evening attendees gathered upstairs for brief remarks.  Ryan Rogers, chief investment officer for Mary Kay Inc welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for their support of the ninth annual Suits for Shelters program and the Mary Kay Foundation.  He then recognized the 12 program beneficiaries, as well as long-time community partners, including Tolleson Wealth for their sponsorship of the evening, media partner WFAA-TV and Tootsies, the evening’s host.

Rogers shared that the Mary Kay Foundation donates 97% of every dollar it receives to the causes it supports, including domestic violence.  He then asked everyone to consider purchasing a raffle ticket or mystery box, or make a direct donation to the Foundation to help them with their commitment of ending domestic violence.   In closing he raised his glass to the crowd in appreciation of their generosity and ongoing support.

WFAA-TV’s Cynthia Izaguirre followed with additional thanks and a last-call to purchase raffle tickets. Izaguirre then reminded everyone that donations of professional clothing to local domestic violence shelters would be accepted at Tootsies through August 4.  She added that for many of the recipients of the clothing donations, it means a lot more than a suit; It signifies financial independence, freedom from an abuser and to rebuild their lives with confidence, for a fresh start. 

The much-anticipated raffle winners were then announced with Piers Hurley winning the grand prize of a $5,000 contribution in his name to the domestic violence shelter of his choice. Unable to choose just one beneficiary, it was later announced that all seven program beneficiaries in attendance that evening would each receive a $5,000 donation to help support their work and help survivors of domestic violence, donated by Maleiah and Ryan Rogers. Program beneficiaries in attendance were Attitudes and Attire, Brighter Tomorrows, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Mosaic Family Services, Salvation Army and The Family Place. 

As the celebration came to an end, guests were gifted a pink sachet of Mary Kay products including Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, Lash Intensity™ Mascara, and MKMen Skin Care Shave Foam as well as a $50 Tootsies gift card.

Since 2009 the Suits for Shelters program has donated more than 17,000 professional items to local domestic violence shelters.

About The Mary Kay Foundation^SM

The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $44 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $26 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. More than 97% of each donated dollar goes to the missions. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

Jubilee Park & Community Center and Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas celebrated the launch of its new innovative partnership to offer mental healthcare to Southeast Dallas residents on Tuesday, July 25 at a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration.  

Held at Jubilee Park & Community Center, located at 917 Bank Street in Dallas, the festivities began with remarks by Ben Leal, CEO, Jubilee Park & Community Center; Steve Banta, CEO, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas and Deputy Mayor Pro Ten Adam Medrano, followed by an official ribbon-cutting and tours of the new mental healthcare counseling center.  Partners in attendance included Thornton “T.” Hardie, Rees-Jones Foundation; Sergeant Bridget Wilson-Jones, Dallas Police Department; and Eneida Padro, Principal of Oran M. Roberts Elementary School.

“Jubilee has become a destination for innovative partnerships and meaningful impact.  Our partnership with Jewish Family Service is a perfect example, combining our community relationships and assets with their clinical staff to provide unique services in Southeast Dallas,” remarked Ben Leal, CEO, Jubilee Park & Community Center.  “As the field of public health changes, and as we learn more and more about the importance of mental healthcare, Jubilee is proud to launch this groundbreaking.  As with all of our work, we hope that we can catalyze change across Dallas.”

Jubilee’s partnership with Jewish Family Service will be the only mental health program in South Dallas offering free counseling to children and adults.  A full-time family therapist and a full-time play therapist will provide direct care as well as lead community education events for parents and caregivers.  A part-time psychiatrist will supplement the program with clinical support.

The partnership launches this month, with all referrals made through Jubilee Park’s program staff.  For more information about the Jubilee Park and Jewish Family Service mental healthcare program, contact Marjorie Murat, Director of Program Services, 214-887-1364 or mmurat@jubileecenter.org.

About Jubilee Park & Community Center

Celebrating its 20^th year, Jubilee Park and Community Center is a catalyst for community renewal and enrichment to the Jubilee Park Neighborhood, a 62- block area in southeast Dallas. Founded in 1997, Jubilee Park and Community Center helps families and other members of the community identify and access resources that help to provide stability and enhance their quality of life through five pillars: education, affordable housing, public health, public safety and economic development.   For more information, visit www.jubileecenter.org.

About Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas

Jewish Family Service provides professional, effective and affordable mental-health and social services that promote lifelong self-sufficiency and well-being for anyone in need regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or ability to pay. Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas is a United Way agency and in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation, which ensures we meet the highest standards of practice in the provision of our services, fiscal responsibility, agency governance and quality improvement. www.jfsdallas.org.