By Sara Meyers, Communications Specialist

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will you give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His Name, Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14 

We are past the hustle of the Christmas season and the new year is setting in, but I’m convicted in 2023 to sit and yield longer to the implications of Christmas. I know it seems odd to mention the holidays in January, but I have been reminded  how much I need the truths of Christmas to invigorate my life all year long. In Isaiah 7, we are promised that the Christ child who would come would be called “Immanuel,” translated “God with us.” In context, this is significant because at the time of Jesus’ birth, God had been silent for over 400 years as nations had chosen not to follow Him. What a promise from Isaiah that when God would reappear to the world, He would now be amongst them; literally “with” them!

God being “with” us changes everything. When He is “with us,” we see supernatural work taking place–in India where bonded slaves are being set free, in Dallas where children with disabilities are finding joy and education through equine therapy, in CASAs across Dallas-Ft. Worth where children have hands to hold onto as they navigate the child welfare system. In my first two months on staff with The Rees-Jones Foundation, I have seen first-hand how God “being in it” transforms every facet of business. In the way staff approach every site visit, every written piece, every decision. If God is with us, that means we have access to His divine wisdom, His empathy, His love and His grace in all circumstances. This is Good News!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

In Isaiah 9 we find the popular Christmas passage describing Jesus’ coming. In Isaiah’s words here, I’m especially reminded why God being with us transforms everything. In verse 6 we are told some key descriptors or names of Jesus: “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This year, the name listed that has most struck me in the midst of this season has been “Wonderful Counselor.” After reading this verse hundreds of times in my life, it is clear that this name stands out this year because of the inspiring counselors, therapists and social workers that The Rees-Jones Foundation has the privilege of supporting, and which I now have the pleasure of interacting with regularly. When I think about those in direct work with children and families, I cannot help but think of the traits they exude in walking with the clients they serve. They embody wisdom, grace, kindness, steadiness, peace, and so many other traits that are worthy of honor. When I think of them, I can see the Wonderful Counselor clearly at work in our communities and the world.

From personal experience, I can echo Psalm 16:7 when David says “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel.” Whether it has been in hospital rooms at the birth of my children, in grief-stricken moments at the loss of loved ones, or in conversations with life-long friends who were walking through difficult circumstances, Jesus as the “Wonderful Counselor” is at work in every moment. In the promise that He’s not just a counselor but also “Wonderful,” I am reminded that we can trust His counsel because He Himself is good, wise, able and always trustworthy.

As we move beyond the Christmas season into a new year, we are challenged to remember throughout 2023 that God is with us, and this should impact how we love our families well, how we fulfill our roles with excellence, and how we serve our communities faithfully.

Fair Park First announced on December 20, 2022 that it received a generous gift of $5 million from The Rees-Jones Foundation to fund the all-abilities, all-ages Children’s Playground at the Community Park. The Community Park Complex at Fair Park is set to break ground in 2023. “The Rees-Jones Foundation is honored to support the new Fair Park Community Park and, in particular, the Children’s Playground,” said T. Hardie, President of The Rees-Jones Foundation. “Our hope is to see children, parents and families in the 13 surrounding neighborhoods experience more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, engage with their friends in this unique greenspace and participate in the renewed vitality that the Park will bring to our city and especially to these nearby communities.”

The Children’s Playground is one of three playgrounds slated for the Community Park that will provide children in the surrounding neighborhoods and DFW Metroplex with a state-of-the-art, safe, inclusive place to play. It will feature various custom play structures inspired by the native ecology of North Texas, interactive water features, sensory gardens, slides carved into the topography, and whimsical sensory pieces that provoke joy and discovery. The playground will also include a splash pad, additional interactive water features, and an adjacent tot lot.

“Greenspace is vital to our children’s overall health – physically, socially, and cognitively,” said John Jenkins, Director, Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. “Children need a place to play every day in order to be active, happy and healthy. We are focused and committed to providing greenspace access for our community. We are thankful for our partnership with Fair Park First and the generous support of The Rees-Jones Foundation to continue making the Park a reality.”

“The focus of the Children’s Playground will be creating opportunities for multi-generational play,” said Matrice Ellis-Kirk, Unity Co-Chair of the Fair Park Your Park Phase 1 Campaign. “No matter the family composition, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.” The Fair Park Your Park Phase 1 Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs are President George and Laura Bush. The Unity Co-Chairs are Ambassador Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk along with Margo and Jim Keyes.

The primary goal of the Community Park Complex is to create access to greenspace for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. The Community Park is the signature capital component in Phase 1 of the 2020 Fair Park Master Plan Update and has a funding goal of $93 million from philanthropic support. “We have been focused and diligent in delivering on a promise made to our neighbors in providing a Community Park accessible to all and open year-round,” said Darren L. James, President, Fair Park First. “This Park is designed to be a true community asset and a direct investment in families. The significant gift from The Rees-Jones Foundation to fund the Children’s Playground supports turning this promise into reality.”

About Fair Park First
Fair Park First’s mission is to restore, revitalize, and renew the 277-acre National Historic Landmark through transformative improvements, increased attendance, and improved tenant relations, ultimately sustaining Fair Park for generations to come. In partnership with the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department and OVG360, the Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s priority is to reestablish Dallas Fair Park as one of Dallas’s premier performance and recreation venues so that it is accessible and enjoyed by all.

The Foundation awarded $24.3 million through 55 grants during Q4 (October, November and December).

Below is a small representation of the nonprofit organizations that the Foundation supported: