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Meet Natalie, 2015 Mother of the Year

At seventeen, Natalie gave birth to her daughter Aubrey. After dropping out of high school and running away from home, Natalie was anxious and unsure about her future. Natalie first learned about Alley’s House from her CPS worker so she could continue her education and learn the skills necessary to be a stronger mother for nine-month-old […]

Welcome Alley’s House Newest Staff Member!

Alley’s House fall semester starts the week of August 24th and as we start back to school we’re pleased to share that Stephanie Shavers Jones will join the team as Program Supervisor. Stephanie joins us after almost four years working for the Department of Family and Protective Services as an Investigator for Child Protective Services […]

Alley’s House Summer of Empowerment

Alley’s House Summer of Empowerment provided young mothers five weeks of fun and education with book club, field trips to Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Museum of Art, and Aldi food store plus hands-on workshops to prepare them to return to school with parenting, college/career training, and life skills to enhance their support system. These feats […]

The Link Between Exercise and Mental Health

Shelly Gloyna, LPC-Intern supervised by Dr. Myron Jones, LPC-S, LCDC, is a mental health professional, Alley’s House program supervisor, and fitness enthusiast. During the first session of Alley’s House Summer of Empowerment she’s facilitated fitness workshops and highlighted the benefits of exercise in achieving mental and physical health goals. Shelly shares some simple lifestyle modifications […]

Volunteering from the Heart

Mary Katherine began her volunteer experience with Alley’s House in 2014 and was honored as Alley’s House 2014 Volunteer of the Year for her work and passion for the young women and children she served. Below is a reflection her time at Alley’s House. As my time as an Alley’s House volunteer comes to a […]

Changing Lives and Enhancing Futures

A community partnership comes in many different shapes and sizes. Veritex Community Bank has had the privilege of enjoying a great partnership with Alley’s House for several years now, all thanks to our Women in Business Program. The program offers networking socials for female business owners and executives so it was a natural fit for […]

The Passion of Giving

Community involvement, volunteerism, and civic involvement are core beliefs that have always been encouraged in my family, and frankly, it has become ingrained in how we live our day-to-day lives. My wife and I support organizations within our community that we are passionate about and that we believe are making a great impact, provide a much-needed […]

Spring is Near and Change is Here!

Alley’s House mission is to empower teen mothers to achieve independence; a message that resonates with stakeholders based on their personal perspective and role. As Program Supervisor, I work hand in hand with our pathways participants to expand their perspective and identify what “independence” looks like for them. Initially, some moms may express unfamiliarity and […]

Keep Moving Forward

As we take today to remember the work and passion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it’s important to recognize the numerous ways in which we have moved forward in our country despite those who try to stop us. As Americans we have continued to pursue the vision and dream of Martin Luther King Jr., […]

New Chapter, New Beginning

Alley’s House December mom spotlight is on Yazmin, who started the program in March and completed her GED and 60 units of learning by October. Yazmin, mother to Yazlin, aimed to pursue her educational and personal dreams and found that she needed the support system of Alley’s House to reach her goals. Since completing her […]

Generous Hearts and Charitable Spirits

Generous hearts and charitable spirits help make this season the most wonderful time of year! As the season of gift giving is upon us we encourage you to bring holiday cheer to young moms and their children with a $50+ donation to Alley’s House. Adolescent pregnancy is most often not the result of a deliberate choice, […]

Cooking with Chef Gail

It is Thanksgiving Day and I can’t imagine a more appropriate time to be blogging about my experience with Alley House. Hello, this is Chef Gail Blair from Food Revelation and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be involved with this organization and these precious girls over the last 3 plus years. About […]

Health Education Field Trip

On October 29th Alley’s House toured Planned Parenthood’s North Dallas Shelbourne Health Center. Our moms and office staff visited the facility to learn more about Planned Parenthood women’s health services. Pictured below: Maggie Fuller and Linda Fyffe (Planned Parenthood Educator) alongside Alley’s House moms’ Kiera, Julia, Esmeralda, and Eva. Staff and moms took the DART Rail to the health […]

Fitness Fridays

5, 6, 7, 8 and 1, 2, 3, 4…the way most of us workout. It is the constant focus on repetitions, weight, and calories. At times, mixing that formula with the mind and body image of a teenage girl can be disastrous for their self-esteem. At Alley’s House we are introducing exercise not as a […]

Take Control of Your Life

Alley’s House invited Melissa Clark with Drennan & Associates Christian Counseling to share a story that would resonate with our moms. If you are interested in guest blogging for Alley’s House please contact info@alleyshouse.org. Several nights ago I heard a loud crash in my son’s room. Now it’s not really out of the ordinary to […]

Healthy Teens, Healthy Moms and Healthy Communities

Alley’s House long-time workshop facilitator, Linda Fyffe, shares about her experience with Alley’s House as a Planned Parenthood educator. As a health educator, I am incredibly lucky to work with young women throughout the Dallas and North Texas communities. Specifically, I lead health education workshops on a range of topics important to teen’s health, including […]

My Time at Alley’s House

Alley’s House has partnered with University of Texas at Arlington Social Work program for several years to provide social work students a practicum experience to gain skills and knowledge in a professional setting. One of our current interns, Tianna, shares about her placement at Alley’s House and the impact it made on her life and […]

Breaking the Cycle

Alley’s House Summer of Empowerment program encourages moms who are still in high school, as well as the moms pursuing their GED, to receive job skills training, mentoring, and attend life workshops. This month we partnered with Just Say YES (Youth Equipped for Success) to provide Breaking the Cycle facilitated by Carlos Phillips and Brenda […]

Miss Independent- Alicia

Alley’s House is proud to highlight our moms through the “Miss Independent” series. Each month we will feature one of our moms and talk about their journey to success. Alicia is a 2008 graduate of Alley’s House and a mother to her son Anthony. “I appreciate Alley’s House to this day for the way the […]

Miss Independent: May Spotlight

Alley’s House 2014 Mother of the Year: Patricia Each year, Alley’s House selects one outstanding young mom to receive our Mother of the Year award at our Mother’s Day picnic. This year’s Mother of the Year was awarded a special gift basket and will be a guest of honor at our annual luncheon this fall. […]

Miss Independent: April Spotlight

Alley’s House graduate: Keshawn Alley’s House is proud to highlight our moms through the “Miss Independent” series. Each month we will feature one of our moms and talk about their journey to success. Alley’s House encourages all of our clients to accomplish their goals and dreams, while achieving independence for themselves and their families. If […]

Working Towards the Future

With the ending of Women’s History Month, we conclude our ‘Reach for the Sun’ blog series. Over the past week, we have heard the stories of numerous women who overcame different obstacles to achieve their dreams. We began with Liz Murray, who grew up in extreme poverty, but learned with purpose and perseverance anything could […]

Reaching for the Sun- America Ferrera

America Ferrera Actress America Ferrera is best known for her roles in the television sitcom Ugly Betty and the movies How to Train Your Dragon and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She is the youngest of six children, and was raised by a single mother most of her life. The story of her mother’s […]

Reaching for the Sun- Juliette Brindak

Juliette Brindak Most young adults are still looking for a job at age 23. However, Juliette Brindak, the co-founder and partner of Miss O & Friends, was not one of those young adults. She came up with the idea of Miss O & Friends when she was just ten years old, and launched the website […]

Reaching for the Sun- Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles Born in Houston, Texas, Solange Knowles, also known as just Solange, is a model, actress, songwriter, and singer. And yes, she is also the sister of Beyoncé Knowles. Solange began her career early in her life as she shadowed her sister in the music industry. She continued to shine up until she became […]

Reaching for the Sun- Amanda Ray

Amanda Ray When Amanda Ray’s parents learned that their daughter was going to be a mother at fourteen, they immediately kicked her out of the house. Ray recalls how one family member anticipated that she was going to have to rely on welfare really soon, and give birth to even more children before she is […]

Reaching for the Stars- Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou Dr. Maya Angelou is a celebrated novelist, poet, memoirist, educator, actress, dramatist, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Her memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is the first nonfiction bestseller written by an African American woman and she has received several honors during her career, including the Presidential Medal of Arts in […]

Reaching for the Sun

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” –Louisa May Alcott In honor of March being Women’s History Month and March 8th being International Women’s Day, Alley’s House is […]

Motivations, challenges and plans.

We recently spent some time with Laura, a soon-to-be graduate of alley’s house. She spoke with us about herself, her motivations for starting and sticking with the program and her plans for her and her children’s lives after she graduates. She is an amazing mom with inspiring plans and we invite you to watch our […]

alley’s house names Keshawn Mother of the Year!

The Process For weeks prior to the picnic all of the moms in the program were encouraged to nominate themselves or another mom in the program to be named Mother of the Year. They were also asked to write a short essay supporting their nomination. After the nominations came in, alley’s house staff and mentors […]

Soon-to-be graduate shares about her experiences and her plans for the future.

Choked up, with the tears beginning to fall, Shanterrica began to talk about a turning point for her at alley’s house. “I was ready to quit. I was having a really hard time. Carly (Caraway, Resource Room Director) has been a big help. She talked to me and told me that I remind her of herself a […]

Intern Nicole Rocco is eager to empower teen moms

Nicole Rocco is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington and is studying social work. For two semesters, through August, Nicole will be a social work intern at alley’s house. Nicole discovered alley’s house while searching for an internship at school. She found three organizations that she was interested in interning with, but […]

Artist Pamela Rabin donates art to Incrementum III

Pamela Rabin is a Dallas-based fine art artist and photographer who will be participating in Incrementum III, 9th Annual Art Auction benefitting alley’s house Saturday 2/2. She has been participating in the alley’s house art auction for over 6 years. This is her second year to be a live auction artist, painting a 36” x […]

Artist Steve Hamilton is participating in Incrementum on 2/2

Steve Hamilton is participating in Incrementum III, alley’s house 9th Annual Art Auction. This will be his second time in the show. Last year his painting was very well received in the silent auction. Steve is flattered to have been given the opportunity to showcase a larger painting in the live auction this year. “I […]

Incrementum III will feature two live paintings

We are delighted to share that this year’s Incrementum III, 9th Annual Art Auction Benefitting alley’s house is featuring two live artist paintings. Anne Royer and Jim Rizzi will be painting two live art pieces at the auction. Anne Royer has lived in McKinney for over 15 years. She is an artist, art teacher, lecturer […]

Abhidnya Ghuge is excited to share her art in Incrementum III

Abhidnya Ghuge is participating in Incrementum for the second time. “I appreciate the mission of alley’s house,” Abhidnya said. “I would like to help in the best way I can and that is to donate my talent in art.” Abhidnya wants to show the symbiotic relationship between the individual and the community as they grow […]

Kiki Curry Winters joins art auction on February 2

Kiki Curry Winters is participating in Incrementum III, 9th Annual Art Auction Benefitting alley’s house for her third year. Kiki was born and raised in Waxahachie, Texas. She was self taught in the medium of fiber art which began her career as a life-long artist. Kiki currently works from her studio/gallery, SKYPONY in Dallas, Texas. […]

Meet Incrementum III Artist Linda Bourgault

Artist Linda Bourgault is painting a 36” x 48” painting for alley’s house, her first time to participate in the live auction at Incrementum. However, she has been supporting alley’s house when she attended her first Incrementum as a guest in 2010. “The mission of alley’s house is as substantial as it is essential to […]

Gail Blair is the alley’s house 2012 Volunteer of the Year

Gail Blair was named the 2012 Volunteer of the Year at alley’s house. Gail has been volunteering with alley’s house since 2008. She has been hosting the monthly alley’s house cooking workshop for the past three years. During the workshop, she shows the moms at alley’s house how to make simple, healthy, affordable and delicious […]

Chris Evans, alley’s house Board President

We are proud to announce that Chris Evans is the new board President of alley’s house. Chris officially became the board President in October of this year, and he is excited to take on this new role. Chris is a Dallas resident and is an attorney at Shore Chan Bragalone DePumpo, LLP specializing in patent […]

Ross von Rosenburg paints in Incrementum III

Local artist Ross von Rosenburg has been participating in the alley’s house art auction for the past three years. “I continue to participate because I believe that alley’s house has a very worthy and noble mission that is important to support, and every year the event is top notch,” Ross said. Ross has a one […]

Artist Cathey Miller, paints in Incrementum III

Cathey Miller has participated in the Art Auction benefitting alley’s house for several years. Fellow artist Frankie Garcia’s enthusiasm for the show and the fact that the artists share half of the profit of the sale of the paintings with alley’s house encourages Cathy to continue to participate in Incrementum. This will be her first […]

Joey Brock, participates in art auction for 9th year

Joey Brock Joey is an abstract expressionist painter living in Dallas, TX. Joey has been participating in the alley’s house art auction since its inception 9 years ago, and we are thrilled that he is participating again this year. “It’s hard to imagine that it’s been 9 years…time flies!” Joey said. Joey believes that giving […]

Chad Willis lends teen moms a helping hand

Chad Willis is CEO of Texas Energy Holdings, Inc. and is also currently one of alley’s house’s biggest supporters. Willis became involved with alley’s house six years ago when a friend invited him to one of the charity’s annual art auctions. Willis was immediately struck by the need of the young mothers, and consequently began […]

Sonia Semone donates art to Incrementum for the second time

Sonia Semone is participating in Incrementum, Art Auction benefitting alley’s house for her second time this year. She will be contributing a 36” x 48” painting, however this year she is just contributing to Incrementum as an artist. Sonia has also been an integral part of the Artist Advisory committee that helps alley’s house prepare […]

Artist Spotlight: Douglas Winters III

Douglas Winters III is a revered local artist that will be painting a 36” x 48” live auction piece in Incrementum III, 9th Annual Art Auction benefitting alley’s house. Douglas is a faithful supporter of alley’s house. This is his third year to participate in the art auction and he is delighted to paint a […]

Bishop Dunne Students Help Make Luncheon a Success

Last Thursday, over 32 Bishop Dunne students volunteered with alley’s house to help make the 15th Anniversary Luncheon a success. The students performed a wide array of duties ranging from directing traffic, serving food, and helping clean up after the event. Bishop Dunne first got involved with alley’s house last spring when Executive Director Allison […]

Meet the Incrementum III Artists

There are less than four months until Incrementum III, 9th Annual Art Auction benefitting alley’s house. We cannot contain our excitement for this year’s auction! We are so excited to share the amazing talent that we have in store for the auction, that we will be spotlighting one participating artist every week until the art […]

Frankie Garcia III helps grow art auction

Frankie Garcia III, the Creative Director of the Gallery at MIDTOWN, also serves on the alley’s house special events committee for the annual art auction. Frankie first became involved with alley’s house in 2010 at an art exhibition entitled “I AM WOMAN” at RISING Gallery that benefited alley’s house. “I was introduced to Allison Whitehead […]

Ava Skidworth shows that scary does good

When Ava Skidworth came up with the concept of Monster Yogurt, a frozen yogurt store in Dallas, she knew she wanted to do something to give back to the community. The solution? A free coffee bar where patrons are asked to give a donation to a spotlighted community organization in exchange for coffee. alley’s house […]

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