Today we’d like to introduce you to Nesa Grider.
Hi Nesa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
For most of my life, I have been told that I have marched to the beat of my own drummer while many would see that as a flaw, I see that as the ultimate compliment.
I and that person that’s always doing something on my own terms, in my own special way. I march to the beat of my own drum, not for attention. But simply because I need to.
Originally from a small farm town in Indiana, I knew that was so much more I wanted to do. After college, I headed to Dallas, and although my professional career was in Real Estate for an extended period, my passion always was youth.
Over the years, I have coached hundreds of girls through softball, mentored girls in different work-related endeavors, and supported many organizations that promoted the development of our future generation. One of the organizations that I was volunteering with was Journey to Dream. Immediately their mission tugged at my heart, and I knew I needed to be more involved. God opened the door with the opportunity for me to offer the position of Chief Development Officer with Journey to Dream.
In March of 2019, I was asked to lead the organization of CEO, the growth and expansion of Journey to Dream since 2019 has been beyond exciting. We increased our bed capacity at our Transitional Living Campus, Kyle’s Place as well as renovated the campus, and launched a Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Dream Initiative, which is a School Curriculum in 10 area middle and high schools.
Staying with the thought of marching to my own drummer, I know that there is more that I (we) can do to serve our youth, and still making plans to make that happen!
Alright, 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?
Life is a journey. It is filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations, and memorable moments that ultimately lead us to our destination and our purpose in life.
The road will not always be smooth, and I have encountered many personal and professional challenges. Some of those challenges tested my resiliency, courage, strength, and will to go on. Without a doubt, I stumbled along the way, but my drive to succeed won.
When things are challenging, like I stress to our youth, you can become a victim or learn from it and rise above it.
“Never let someone rent space in your mind.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We walk alongside teens and empower them to make healthy choices, cope with adversity and develop the skills to pursue their dreams. We believe no one should be alone in facing the challenges of the teen years, whether managing everyday stresses or a great crisis like homelessness. Journey to Dream provides safe, caring communities of support where they can wrestle with the big questions in their lives, develop life skills and map a plan for their future. Journey to Dream has seen a tremendous increase in at-risk, traumatized teens that require a plethora of services: shelter, case management, life skills, counseling, essential living supplies, referrals, assistance with permanent housing, and other services. Yet, Journey to Dream is still the only Denton County Transitional Living Program shelter providing services to 14-23. Our programs are designed for early and immediate intervention for homeless teens to interrupt and halt the chronic cycle with a pioneering vision.
What I am most proud of and what set us apart are the same. Many of the teens we support have been through situations that most people will never endure but are still choosing to go on. When these teens finally get to our organization, they might have been through six or seven placements. In those placements, these teens reported being treated like a number. When they arrive at Journey to Dream, we say Welcome Home!
I am proud that we can provide a family-like environment for these often-time-forgotten teens, creating a sense of normalcy. I set high expectations for them, knowing they can reach them often when they doubt they can, and I celebrate when they do. We make sure that every teen understands that they are NOT a number, that they are loved unconditionally, and we meet them where they are. My (our) goal is to provide these teens will self-worth, self-esteem, and practical life skills and to break the chronic cycle of abuse and homelessness so that they grow into successful youth adults. What sets us apart is that we love unconditionally, not just when you are in our facility or group but for the rest of your life. We are a phone call away if you need me (us). We want our bond to remain for years; we are family.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My definition of success is taking action on your dreams consistently, relentlessly, and with as much confidence as possible and continuing to march to my own drummer. My definition of success is taking action on my dreams consistently, relentlessly, and with as much confidence as possible. Success for me is linked to the core values I believe in and want to pursue so I’m careful not to take advice from people whose life and values are vastly different from my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Journeytodream.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_to_dream/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTD4Teens/
