25:40
THE REES-JONES FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
2023 Q1
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
-Matthew 25:40
THE WORLD WILL CHANGE WHEN CHILDREN KNOW THEY ARE LOVED
By Sara Meyers, Communications Specialist
James Corden, the late night television host and actor, was interviewed recently about parenting and in describing an interaction he had with his teenage son who was a little angry over a situation, James describes a sit-down with him where he asked him a few noteworthy questions: “do you think I love you?,” “do you think I would ever do anything to intentionally upset you?,” “do you think I’m smart and wise?” His son answered positively on all three counts. Out of these questions, James and his son were able to have an honest conversation where he ultimately reminded him not only that he is trustworthy as his father, but also how loved he is as his son.
I was moved when I saw the interview because this is not only how I want to parent my daughter and my son, but it’s also how I see nonprofits we work with every day leading and guiding children and families toward love and wholeness. Last year, The Foundation had the opportunity to work with a host of organizations who are knee-deep with parents and children in the work of mentoring so children do not feel isolated, counseling so families are not alone when mental health burdens become too much to bear, and housing mothers and their children who may be in crisis. The work community partners are doing across our region stands out so powerfully because it all ultimately reminds me of our perfect Father who is trustworthy and who deeply loves us.
Fascinatingly, the Bible actually tells us about God’s specific parenting style. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus tells us “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” In Matthew 6, we are told that the birds and the lilies in the fields have all of their needs met, so “do not be anxious” because “your heavenly Father knows all you need.” In James 1, we are also told “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of heavenly lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
In Psalm 103, King David echoes the words God told Moses hundreds of years before and tells us “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
It is clear that this God, who identifies as our Father, leads out in power and love most of all.
What would happen to our world, our society if we could all understand just a little more about how loved we are by our Good Father? Love is the foundation for understanding our identity. As a parent, I see this every time I hold my three year-old-daughter tightly and tell her I love her. I work hard not to rush these moments or view them as inconveniences even though there is always so much going on. These moments every day are minutes I cherish because I know they are shaping her identity. I can visibly see the truth of her being loved sink into her physical body. Her face loosens where there may have been stress, her eyes brighten, her shoulders drop—because she can walk confidently (and sometimes with sass too) knowing that she is dearly loved by her parents and perfectly loved by God.
A 2013 UCLA study actually found that “unconditional love and affection…can make children emotionally happier and less anxious. This result happens because their brain can change as a result of the affection.” God told the people of Israel in Jeremiah 31, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” God’s character has stayed consistent throughout history with the fact that He is a God of unconditional, everlasting, pure love for us. We love seeing the way nonprofit partners step into the lives of families everyday so that children can learn and grow in the knowledge that they are deeply loved, and thereby shape who they were made to be. When a child experiences “unconditional love,” it can transform everything about them– how they talk, how they act, how they make decisions, how they have compassion for others. On paper, “programming” can look like the shift or the catalyst for change, but when we visit with organizations and look into the eyes of those locking arms with children and families, it is so evident what is actually happening.
When we see these partners sitting side-by-side with children in classrooms to invest in them through after-school programming, or working with parents directly through home visiting so they can learn how to invest in their children wisely, or mentoring youth to show them their potential so they can visualize the bright futures ahead, we see the love of God and our hope is to see His love transform lives. When The Rees-Jones Foundation talks about “philanthropy,” this is exactly what we want to invest in—organizations that are pouring out the love of God onto children and families so they can “experience the love of Christ in tangible ways.”
NEW TEAM | SAME MISSION
2022 brought a lot of great changes, most notably-we expanded our team! What did not change was The Rees-Jones Foundation’s commitment to serve God by serving others so that those we touch can experience the love of Christ in very tangible ways.
YES
Grant recipients are welcome to include The Rees-Jones Foundation name in their annual reports so long as the Foundation's name is listed among other annual supporters and not highlighted in a manner to bring special attentionYES
Grant recipients are welcome to list The Rees-Jones Foundation name on their websites so long as the Foundation's name is listed among other annual supporters, not highlighted in a manner to bring special attention, and the year of support (as stated in the grant contract) is clearly statedNO
Please note that use of the Foundation's logo is not permitted - this includes on websites, social media or in print. Reach out anytime you have questions or need clarification.YES
The proper way to list the Foundation is The Rees-Jones FoundationBLOG: DALLAS PETS ALIVE OPENS ADOPTION CENTER
Dallas Pets Alive (DPA) celebrated the official grand opening of its Pet Adoption Center on March 24th. Set in the Community Beer Company biergarten near downtown Dallas, the 40-foot adoption container brings with it access to thousands of brewery patrons who DPA hopes will become adopters and supporters of their mission to promote and provide the resources, education, and programs needed to eliminate the euthanasia of companion animals in North Texas. Their adoption center model is unlike anything else in the animal welfare space as it does not utilize kennels but depends on foster families to care for rescued animals.
Annie and Zach Ingle, patrons of Community Beer Co., were out for a drink on March 24th and discovered DPA’s adoption center. After walking over, they noticed a quiet pit bull puppy named “Cady.” After spending the evening chatting with Cady’s foster owner, going through the vetting process, and signing some paperwork, the rest is history. The Ingles were now the proud owners of Cady. Beaming, Annie told DPA’s volunteers, “I love that we were able to talk with the foster owner before we adopted her. This foster mom knew all about Cady’s habits, her strengths, things she needs work in—this was the best experience.”
It is anticipated that DPA pet adoptions will increase 20% over the next year as Community Beer Co. partners with the nonprofit to bring together foster families, potential adopters, and brewery patrons. When DPA receives rescued dogs or cats, they are immediately handed to foster families to receive necessary care and resources, and then placed up for adoption. Through this model, companion animals hosted under DPA are never placed in a shelter or kennel. The direct work of caring for animals is handled by a vast number of volunteers who are passionate about making North Texas a “no-kill” region. With the new adoption centers, foster families will now have the opportunity to bring pets they are caring for on-site for events and allow potential adopters to interact with the animals, ask questions, and observe the animals in a social setting.
CAFE MOMENTUM
Expanded and opened another restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA in March.CAMP SWEENEY
Completed its new medical wing to better serve campers with diabetes.CORNERSTONE CROSSROADS ACADEMY
Won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and Audience Choice Award at United Way Dallas' "The Pitch" social innovation competition, totaling $50,000 for their organization.CURE INTERNATIONAL
99% of surgical patients at their hospital in Ethiopia did not acquire a surgical infection; a huge feat given the many hurdles for medical treatment across Africa.MY POSSIBLITIES
Won the Dallas Business Journal's 2023 Leaders in Diversity Award.RIVERTREE ACADEMY
Celebrated the groundbreaking of its new campus which will provide space to host all students.SHAKEN BABY ALLIANCE
Celebrated its 25th anniversary after serving 7,000 families affected by shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma.Q1 GRANT MAKING RECAP
The Foundation awarded $6.1 million through 26 grants during Q1 (February and March).
Below is a small representation of the nonprofit organizations that the Foundation humbly supported:
BLOG: WHEN JUSTICE AND HOPE CREATE MOMENTUM
In March 2023, a study published by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office released its findings after reviewing cases of youth in the Dallas juvenile system. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot had raised concerns that the system had “a high rate of repeat offenders” and wanted to explore the root causes. Researchers spent a year interviewing juvenile justice staff, officials and judges to understand complications within the Dallas County system, as compared with others in Bexar, El Paso, Hidalgo, and Tarrant counties.
The report found that children arrested and held in juvenile detention in Dallas County were incarcerated for an average of 140 days regardless of the level of their crime, their background, or risk of reoffending. This contrasts with recommendations by the Conference of State Court Administrators which sets a standard that 75% of children in confinement should see a resolution to their case in under 30 days.[i] 
Research shows that the longer children are confined while waiting for a court decision, the higher the likelihood of negative future outcomes. [ii] The State of T
exas also found that “Dallas County convicts more kids of crimes than elsewhere in Texas.” In an article published in March, the Dallas Mornings News noted “the average age of a youth offender in juvenile detention right now is 15.” [iii]
When Nelson Mandela declared “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children,” what does it say about our “society’s soul” when data shows our justice system is not sufficient to decrease recidivism rates and keep children from recommitting crimes? What solutions can we provide for incarcerated youth? What hope can we bring these young men and women who often leave detention centers with a criminal record that then limits employment opportunities, education prospects, and chances for a normal life? One nonprofit based in Dallas believes the solution is found in a single word: momentum. That nonprofit is intentionally named Café Momentum.
The Rees-Jones Foundation is a private foundation that works with non-profit organizations, primarily in North Texas, that provide programs that defend the welfare of children suffering from abuse or neglect, afford relief to those facing mental health challenges, provide youth with opportunities for enrichment and character development, encourage healthy families and communities, and promote the humane treatment of companion animals.
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If you would like to be added to our newsletter email list,
please contact Sara Meyers at smeyers@rees-jonesfoundation.org
PRIVACY POLICY
COMMUNICATIONS POLICY
If you would like to be added to our newsletter email list,
please contact Sara Meyers at smeyers@rees-jonesfoundation.org
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Phone: 214-751-2977
Fax: 214-751-2978
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 950
Dallas, Texas 75225
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Phone: 214-751-2977
Fax: 214-751-2978
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 950
Dallas, Texas 75225
View our Financial Statements
Privacy Policy
Communication Policy
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