Viola's House

March is National Nutrition Month! This year's theme is “Food Connects Us,” and at Viola's House, we see this connection every day. Food insecurity can lead to serious health issues for pregnant moms and their babies. When expectant moms don't get enough to eat or don’t have access to nutritious food, complications ranging from gestational diabetes to high blood pressure can occur. Living in a food desert is one of the prominent social determinants of health that takes a negative toll on pregnant people in underserved communities. At Viola's House, we are tackling the challenges of food deserts head on. From nutrition classes that teach parents how to buy healthy on a budget to helping clients access healthy food in their communities, our programs are bridging the gap for pregnant teens and women across Dallas and Brownsville. And our fantastic volunteers are teaching moms in our Teen Maternity Home how to shop for nutritious foods and prepare creative, healthy meals on a TIGHT budget. Access and education are key, and Viola's House is proudly providing both. How can you help? Join the village in the fight against food insecurity by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. ??Donate: https://lnkd.in/gChiY9wJ ??Volunteer: https://lnkd.in/g5Ct-NT7 ??Celebrate Nutrition Month: https://lnkd.in/egHkq_gB #HungerBusters #NutritionMonth

This week, NBC DFW and Telemundo 39 KXTX highlighted how Viola’s House has risen to the challenge after funding for a $1.25M federal grant, awarded in 2024, was unexpectedly halted. As our CEO Thana Hickman-Simmons points out, we’ve had to act quickly and strategically to ensure that the thousands of clients who depend on us continue to receive vital support—all while sustaining the strength of our team and operations. We are beyond grateful for our incredible "VH Village"—the volunteers, funders, and partners who have stepped up to help us bridge this critical gap.?Now, more than ever, we invite you to join us.?Our programs address social determinants of health and empower families to achieve independence and long-term resilience. Together, we can continue providing stable housing and comprehensive wraparound services to young mothers experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. ?? Watch the full stories at NBCDFW: https://lnkd.in/gMzXhW3u ?? Telemundo 39: https://lnkd.in/gvdtm2P8 ?? Visit https://lnkd.in/gChiY9wJ?to discover how you can make a meaningful impact Our heartfelt thanks to NBC DFW’s Sophia Beausoleil and Olivia Martinez at Telemundo 39 for putting Viola’s House and our mission in the spotlight. #ViolasHouse

As part of the Viola’s House village, there are many ways your time, resources and energy further our mission. One of the easiest and most accessible ways to give your support is through our $48 for Love campaign. But what is it exactly? $48 for Love is a monthly giving pledge that allows you to create a “set it and forget it” lifeline to support Viola’s House programs and services. The impact of your monthly donation will show up in countless ways that mean the world to a family or a young mom in need. $12 a week provides: ·??????A week’s worth of baby care essentials and diapers to a mom. ·??????Transportation to a resident in the Teen Maternity Home. ·??????Two educational classes for a mom in the Baby Benefit Boutique, and so much more. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gMUx9rHk Become a part of the VH village with a monthly pledge:? https://lnkd.in/gChiY9wJ #ViolasHouse

Meet Viola’s House Mobile Units, affectionately known as Rose and Ruby! Video: https://lnkd.in/g63FSeEU These dynamic duos are crucial links to essential programs and services for clients who lack transportation. Spotted out-and-about five days a week, Rose and Ruby are busy bringing education, counseling, and baby care essentials to young moms—and dads—in the Dallas and Brownsville areas. Despite their dainty names, our VH Mobile Units are powerhouses on wheels, representing our unwavering commitment to meet VH clients where they are in the community. The wide array of services and programs provided by Viola’s House help bridge the gaps in social factors that influence a mom's ability to have a safe, healthy pregnancy and birth. Rose and Ruby are indispensable parts of this mission. So, if you see our girls rolling through town, be sure to give them a honk and a wave! If you want to help Rose and Ruby go even more miles, donate to Viola's House https://lnkd.in/gChiY9wJ #ViolasHouse

Viola's House CEO, Thana Hickman-Simmons, will appear on NBC-5 tonight at 6:00pm. Be sure to tune in to hear her discuss how pregnant and parenting people will be impacted by potential cuts to Medicaid and what Viola's House is doing to bridge the gaps. #ViolasHouse

We are thrilled to share our 2024 Impact Report! This past year has been a time of incredible change and growth for us. At Viola's House, we've sharpened our focus on the social factors that influence health - housing, nutrition, education, job training, transportation, and access to healthcare. When addressed, these factors are crucial for improving maternal outcomes for mothers in the Dallas and Brownsville areas. View report:?https://lnkd.in/g7rCBegB Thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and our small but mighty staff, we served more than 6,500 clients in 2024. We provided over 7 million free diapers to ease the burden on families and offered more than 78,000 minutes of counseling to help clients find their footing and access vital social services. Our vision is to connect moms with every available resource they need to thrive. With a growing spectrum of services, we are committed to creating better access to healthcare, closing educational and financial gaps, and uplifting mothers, families, and babies. Thank you to everyone who has helped Viola's House achieve these amazing results. Your partnership as part of the Viola's House village makes our work possible. With every hour volunteered and every dollar given, you are furthering a legacy of love. ?? #ViolasHouse

Congratulations to Viola's House CEO Thana Hickman-Simmons on being named by Women We Admire as one of Dallas' 2025 Top 50 Women Leaders! Women We Admire recognized Thana for her life’s work to connect the village of providers, organizations, funders, and individuals that are dedicated to supporting pregnant teens and women in underserved communities. Visit the link to read more and see the full list: https://lnkd.in/gqTqVXaP

Thank you to JPMorganChase for spending the day with us at Viola’s House! ?? Your time and support mean the world to the families we serve. By volunteering, you’ve helped us continue to empower moms with the resources and skills they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their little ones. We are so grateful for community partners like you who believe in our mission. Thank you for making a difference! #ViolasHouse

We are excited to put the spotlight on the Purpose Palace in Park Row, a special project that will keep us busy this year at Viola’s House. Plans are drawn up and some work has already started to transform the historic 5,600 sq. ft. home in southern Dallas. When the Purpose Palace opens 2026, it will be a modern, multi-family dwelling offering suite-style housing for four mothers and their children. The renovation will also feature an onsite daycare for up to 40 children. ? The project comes with an estimated $1.5 million price tag for the down-to-the-studs renovation and ancillary work needed to bring the Purpose Palace to life. We have faith that our vision will become reality with the help of our village of new and long-time supporters. Watch the Purpose Palace on Park Row video: https://lnkd.in/gyXsi-tz Join us! Visit ViolasHouse.org to donate to the Purpose Palace project or contact us at [email protected] to learn about other ways to engage. For more on the Purpose Palace on Park Row: -- See the Good Morning Texas segment with CEO Thana Hickman: https://lnkd.in/g62T3DYK -- Read the Southern Dallas Magazine article for an in-depth look at the project: https://lnkd.in/gac86daG

You may have missed the CDC’s 2023 report on Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States that was released last week. The findings show that the overall maternal mortality rate went down (good news) … however … at nearly 3.5 times higher than mothers of other racial and ethnic groups, the rate for Black women remained alarmingly high. Losing Black women to avoidable complications or a lack of focus on the place-based conditions affecting where they live and work is a tragedy that we can prevent. Improving the state of Black Maternal Health is an issue for the whole community and we can all do our part. Along with policies and advocacy at the federal and state levels, it is crucial to act at the local level to address the social factors that influence health to increase the chance that a Black mother will have a safe and healthy experience throughout her journey to motherhood. Consider supporting on-the-ground, community-based organizations in your own backyard that are working to save the lives of mom and baby. We’d love to count you as part of the Viola’s House village. Visit ViolasHouse.org/volunteer to join us. View the CDC Report: https://lnkd.in/exrXnpZr #ViolasHouse #BlackMaternalHealth