Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Smith.
Tina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was working on my Master’s in Counseling at Southern Methodist University when I first learned about Alley’s House. Alley’s House is a non-profit that provides services to teen mothers in order to help them overcome obstacles and become thriving, independent women. With my past experiences working with at-risk youth and my love for counseling adolescents and young adults, I knew that Alley’s House was where I wanted to complete my counseling internship. I began interning as a counselor at Alley’s House in the spring of 2017.
A little unsure of myself and still new to counseling individuals outside of my training environment at SMU, I was forced to check my reservations at the door and hit the ground running. With continued support and guidance from SMU, my supervisor, Dr. Roger Copeland, and co-worker, Bria Mitchell, I was able to build my skills and connect with the teen mothers at Alley’s House. It has been an honor to be let into the lives of these amazing young mothers. They teach me something new every day and watching them grow and overcome so much is the most fulfilling experience I have ever had.
As my internship was coming to an end, I was not ready to leave Alley’s House. There was still more work to done and an opportunity to grow the current program. Fortunately, my time at Alley’s House did not come to an end with my internship. I was excited to accept a position at Alley’s House as Program Supervisor.
In my time as an employee at Alley’s House, I have learned so much and I have been able to bring my skills and knowledge of mental health to the program. I am so proud and honored to be a part of the team here at Alley’s House. Everyone works together and truly invests in transforming the lives of team mothers. We’re in the process of growing and making positive changes in order to provide the best services to teen mothers. I am so thankful to be a part of Alley’s House and experience the challenges and successes of this nonprofit.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If you’ve worked with teenagers or had one of your own, you know first hand the challenges that can arise. They definitely keep me on my toes. I had to work really hard to gain rapport, their trust, and their respect. Most of the teen mothers we work have experienced trauma, pain, instability and very little support from others. I think continuing to stay at Alley’s House beyond my counseling internship has strengthened my relationship with these girls.
Another challenge, which most nonprofits face, is lack funding and resources. Working at a nonprofit, you have to get creative and learn to problem solve in the face of these challenges. We are so thankful for our donors and community partners. Without them, we could not successfully help and serve teen mothers in the Dallas area.
Alley’s House – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Alley’s House provides services to mothers ages 13 to 21. These young mothers are no longer enrolled in school and have fought to work and provide for their families. At Alley’s House, we provide GED classes and tutoring, mental health and case management services, and our Pathway to Independence program. The Pathway to Independence program consists of classes in workforce development and career training, financial literacy, health and wellness, and parenting. At Alley’s House, we are proud to provide services and training that address various parts of the individual and provides tools for success.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career thus far has been watching the growth and transformation of one of the moms in our program. She was one of my first clients as a counseling intern. I have had the privilege of watching her grow in confidence and transform. She came to Alley’s House pregnant, scared and unsure of herself at times.
After building a therapeutic relationship with her, I was able to see her quiet strength and drive to persevere even when the odds were against her. She has been so dedicated, has never given up, and has learned so much in her time here. As I see her walk through the doors of Alley’s House today, I see a strong, confident woman. She is sure of herself and the life she wants for herself and for her child. I watch in awe of her caring nature. She has blossomed into the most wonderful mother and her love for her son radiates. I am so proud of her and have seen first hand the rewards of investing in the lives of young mothers.
Pricing:
- We provide services to mothers 13-21 at no cost to them.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4105 Junius St Dallas, TX 75246
- Website:www.alleyshouse.org
- Phone:214-824-8700
- Email:tsmith@alleyshouse.org
- Instagram:http://instagram.com/alleyshouse
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/alleyshouse/
- Twitter:https://twitter.com/alleyshouse
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