Merged Easter Seals chapter scores $600k

by PegNews wire

FORT WORTH — Easter Seals North Texas today announced four gifts totaling $600,000 during a discussion of the June merger of the Dallas and Fort Worth affiliates by national CEO Jim Williams.

Mr. Williams also talked about how Easter Seals would achieve its vision for 2010 and beyond. He highlighted Easter Seals’ sharpened focus on critical growth goals and on meeting the incredible service needs in three areas:

1) Young children

2) Adult and senior services

3) Veterans returning from the Afghanistan and Iraq battles with brain trauma.

Mr. Williams also talked about a special focus on individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families across the life-span. Additionally, he touched on how Easter Seals North Texas will work in connection with the VA to assist returning veterans with disabilities find housing and employment.

The Meadows Foundation grant of $400,000 is for program expansion into Dallas in the areas of employment counseling, in-home services, client intervention and case management.

“For over sixty years, Easter Seals of Dallas and Easter Seals of Fort Worth have worked to provide persons with disabilities the help and tools they need to live productive lives,” said Linda Perryman Evans, president and CEO of The Meadows Foundation. “The merger of these two organizations will enable them to expand and enhance services to those in need throughout the North Texas region. We applaud the leadership team of both entities for their vision in bringing these groups together and for their commitment to find more effective ways to help those they serve,” Evans added.

The Sid Richardson Foundation, Amon G. Carter Foundation and Hoblitzelle Foundation granted funds in support of the merger and in order to help offset merger costs.

The Sid Richardson Foundation grant of $100,000 is to assist in building infrastructure during the merger process. “We have been very pleased to assist in the merger, which will greatly benefit disabled people in North Texas, “said Val Wilkie, Executive Director of the Sid Richardson Foundation.

Monica Prather, CEO and President of the new Easter Seals North Texas, praised the foundations for their long-time and continued support. “This merger allows Easter Seals North Texas to further the mission and expand service in many areas. There is an increased effectiveness and reach – the new entity has emerged better than the individual parts. This merger would not have been possible without the support of these Foundations and the vision and missions they have for the areas we live in.”

Mr. Williams said adults and senior citizens were the fastest growing segment of the population and presented many service area needs for Easter Seals. He also said that 1 in every 150 children and 1 in 85 males are diagnosed with autism today. These critical areas are why it’s important to have a stronger Easter Seals presence in this area.

“Easter Seals North Texas is the realization of a vision for a new and stronger Easter Seals affiliate to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities and their families in Dallas and Fort Worth,” Mr. Williams said. “On behalf of the Easter Seals family, I congratulate the volunteer leaders and staff who made the creation of this new affiliate possible, and I look forward to the contributions this affiliate will make to Easter Seals’ organizational vision of serving five million people with disabilities and their families by the year 2010.”

Source: Easter Seals North Texas