Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Snabes.
Caroline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating from Southern Methodist University, I quickly dove head-first into a small public relations firm in Dallas, TX. There I discovered my love for working together with clients to help get them the exposure they needed to become thriving businesses. Right out of college, I had the unique experience of managing several clients, doing everything from writing press releases to building out websites and managing events for clients. I love the unique creative process that takes place with each individual client. Identifying a problem and coming up with a creative solution.
As I became more experienced, I realized I had a love for the local market: Dallas-Fort Worth. I went on to do marketing sales for one of the most popular publications in Dallas, then to the local chapter of an international non-profit organization. Both positions offered different learning experiences. I found myself working with clients who had little to no monetary resources, looking to me to help leverage the little they had and turn it into the most beneficial marketing strategies and campaigns. I was forced to ask the question “How can we get the most from the least?” Thus, my love for non-profits world grew.
A little over a year ago, a close friend from SMU reached out to me, informing me she had “the perfect job for me!” As you can imagine, I was intrigued. After doing some research on The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, I was all in. This incredible school provides the highest quality of early education services to children ages six months to six years with and without disabilities in an inclusive environment. Rise delivers comprehensive education, intervention and therapy to our students during their formative years. Master’s level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists help us to meet each students individual needs, resulting in a tailored educational and social experience for each child.
As the Director of Development for The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, you can find me doing everything from event planning to working with our grants writer, all to secure funding for our school. Let’s be honest, you can also find me sneaking some time in the classrooms… because how could you resist?! I also work closely with our auxiliary group, The TouchDown Club of Dallas. This group of like-minded men work together to raise charitable donations and contributions through various annual events that directly benefit our school. My passion is supporting our students and faculty, but it’s my pleasure to work with so many of our supporters!
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?
A challenge most people in my position face is competing with other incredible local causes for donations. There are thousands of local non-profits that are competing for the same dollars as The Rise School, which means we have to build the strongest case for support. With so many great local charities, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to prove you are the most worthy cause!
Please tell us about The Ashford Rise School of Dallas.
The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, a program of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, provides the highest quality of early education services to children ages six months to six years with and without disabilities in an inclusive environment. Rise delivers comprehensive education, intervention and therapy to our students during their formative years. Master’s level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists help us to meet each students individual needs, resulting in a tailored educational and social experience for each child.
Rise has six classrooms for 8-12 children, with 60 children attending daily. Rise enrolls about 70% students with Down syndrome and other developmental differences and 30% traditional-learners, a blend which allows special needs youngsters to “model” after their typically-developing peers. Children are assigned to classrooms based on their chronological age (ages six months-six years) and educational needs. Each classroom employs a teacher who has a Master’s degree (or is working towards one), and two instructional teacher assistants. The adult to child ratio is approximately one adult for every three-four children. A child who begins as an infant will receive 6,000 hours of instruction, intervention and therapy at The Rise School by the time he or she “graduates” at age six, and will be ready to succeed in mainstream kindergarten and life. The traditional learners benefit greatly with enhanced academic skills and a deep understanding and compassion for people with differences.
The School is licensed by the Child Care Licensing Division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and is also one of the few schools accredited by the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
To succeed means something different to each person. Success to me is not only a “job well done,” but building bridges and relationships on behalf of the school to ensure long term sustainability. When working for non-profits you need to go above and beyond for your cause. It takes determination!
Contact Info:
- Address: 6000 Preston Rd.
- Website: RiseDallas.org
- Instagram: @RiseSchoolDallas
- Facebook: @RiseSchoolDallas
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