2020 Accomplishments: A Year In Review
2020 was a remarkable year for Anthem Strong Families (ASF) despite the cascading effects of a global pandemic and racial justice issues that rocked the country. We continued to significantly impact Dallas County’s under resourced communities and families. ASF provided much needed services for those who are disenfranchised; striking at the heart of generational poverty and the barriers that prevent families from being strong and productive. Like many other nonprofits and businesses, we had to learn how to ‘pivot,’ in an environment that no one saw coming.
- ASF received a significant federal investment of $15 million from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance, to fund programs that will support responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage and relationships for adults, parenting and financial management. More than 7,000 men, women and their children will be served in Dallas and surrounding counties.
- Within 30 days of the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a global pandemic, ASF immediately pivoted to digital platforms which allowed participants the opportunity to continue classes and workshops to help families and assist fathers reunite with their children.
- More than 313 graduated from the award-winning and critically acclaimed, TYRO CHAMPION DAD PROGRAM, achieving 98 percent of our annual targeted research goal in spite of the challenges and inability to access Dallas County alternative sentencing facilities due to shelter-in-place orders and a facility quarantine issued in March, 2020 and a reduction in cohort group size to accommodate virtual engagement.
- Within a digital space, ASF conducted 14 graduations for the program. The TYRO CHAMPION DAD PROGRAM is heralded as one of the most integrated fatherhood programs in the State of Texas. The 90-day evidenced-based intensive process includes 1-year of rigorous case management, mentoring and ongoing support services as needed.
- More than 1,643 families completed family strengthening workshop services and classes.
- ASF hosted its first community-wide digital meeting with community leaders discussing COVID-19 and its impact on communities of color.
- Increased outreach and enrollment of Spanish-speaking participants through growing partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and community agencies providing other services to Hispanic families.
- Expanded service model to accommodate the needs of diversion courts and alternative sentencing programs addressing first offenders as part of their public safety strategy.
- Fatherhood staff served as presenters at the 13th Annual Parkland Health and Hospital System (PHHS) Dallas Healthy Start (Virtual) Infant Mortality Awareness Webinar Series Closing the Equity Gap through Education, Advocacy, and Support, hosted in September 2020
- Redesigned ASF website offering a more user-friendly experience.
- In response to the Dallas areas pandemic rapid recovery effort, ASF deployed more than 5,000 reusable masks to community based organizations including, The Good Samaritans Garland for the Homeless, Freeman’s House, TYRO participants, Southern Dallas Links, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Troop 3321 and One Community Church, Lewisville.