The mission of Family Compass is to build healthy families and a strong Dallas community by preventing child abuse and neglect. The mission resonates through therapeutic and educational programs for families with increased risk for child abuse. Family Compass shares a vision that is true to my heart: equip and empower all parents with the tools to raise healthy and productive children. Family Compass works to empower parents by teaching positive parenting methods and supporting parents in strengthening their families’ emotional, economical, physical, and social capacities.
Founded in 1992 by more than 400 Dallas Exchange Club volunteers, the Family Compass mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community. Formerly known as the Child Abuse Prevention Center, the name was changed to Family Compass in 2012. The name change helps to more clearly communicate the organization’s purpose of guiding families away from violence and towards a path of health, healing and hope.
Family Compass is a United Way agency. Since 1992, nearly 40,000 children and parents have been served by Family Compass. It is clearly one of the most productive charitable organizations in North Texas.
I am thrilled to be a “legend” at the 20th annual A Legendary Evening gala to be held on April 12, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole, Dallas. Event co-chairs are Kristine Schwope and Heather Walther, Honorary Chairs Kelly and Marty Turco and Mistress of Ceremonies is Colleen Coyle.
During the 2014 Legendary Evening, the Spirit of Compassion Award will go to Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones for their continued dedication to the children in our community. The Rees-Jones Foundation supports the Family Compass program. Guests will enjoy a seated dinner with the community legends, and there will be music, silent and live auctions and live entertainment. Past legends have included Daryl Johnston, The Honorable Tom Leppert, Dale Hansen, Congressman Pete Sessions, Mary Lou Retton, Justin Leonard, Spudd Webb, Miss Texas USA, Gloria Campos, Chris Harrison, Nancy Lieberman, Rudy Gatlin, and many other extraordinary individuals. After all, what is the point of having a beautiful home if not to be the nurturing center of a child’s universe where they feel safe, enveloped, loved and happy. This is the very wish of Jan Rees-Jones, who has created many happy homes for her family:
“Like everyone, when we read about a child who has been abused we get so angry and frustrated and ask, “What can we do”? Can we offer anything to make the problem go away?” says Jan. “Hopefully that child will find healing but wouldn’t it have been wonderful if we could have done something to prevent it from happening in the first place? That’s why I am so committed and passionate about the work of Family Compass. They are an organization working tirelessly and effectively to deal with this very issue and are able to turn our frustration into hope.”
Other local legends at the April 11 event include precious Martha Tiller, my darling friend Jocelyn White, Judge Roberto Canas, Melissa Poe carson, Brent Christopher, Kris Clinton, Catherine Cuellar, Chef “Dat”, Troy Dungan, Roger Emerick, Rudy Gatlin, Malory Jalonik, Cynthia Nunn, Jennifer Sampson, Michael Sorrell, Crayton Webb and Bob Wright.
Jan Rees-Jones is so gracious; she makes all of us feel so welcome.
“We want to express our appreciation to volunteers who are giving their time and support to this effort,” says Jan. “We have truly been blessed in our lives and hope that others will join with us and Family Compass to help make sure that the children in our community can grow up in a safe and caring environment.”
Fun night, fabulous cause, and I would love to see you at our table!
More than $180,000 was raised in 2013 and we hope to break this record in 2014. We invite you to become an integral part of our gala by becoming a sponsor with this online registration form. Like Family Compass, I believe every child brought into this world has a fundamental right to a healthy family environment, a solid and nourishing home, the opportunity to succeed in school and the capacity to experience life without violence.
Every child has a right to simply be a child.
For ticket information, please contact Tiffani Davis, Director of Development. And I hope to see you April 11 at A Legendary Evening!
