Thana Simmons
Viola's House
United States
Thana Hickman founded Viola's House as a mentoring program for teen moms, which has since evolved into a comprehensive residential program offering shelter and guidance to homeless expectant teen mothers in Dallas. Operating from a historic home, Viola's House provides 24/7support.
In 2022, the Viola's House Baby Benefit Boutique (BBB) was launched, offering voucher-based shopping and parenting classes. A mobile unit extends these services to offsite events, reaching over 6,000 participants and 73,000 families. Viola's House is also Dallas County's largest diaper distributor, providing more than 6 million diapers annually.
Currently, Thana is developing transitional housing for mothers and their children at the Purpose Palace on Park Row, which will include childcare for 40 children. Thana's mission is to empower homeless teen mothers towards self-sufficiency, fostering hope and stability. Under her leadership, Viola's House continues to transform lives.
About
Me.
What is your story?
What drives your work?
I was teen mother at the age of 17 and I had a strong village that helped me as I had 3 children before the
age of 22. I wanted to provide the same village to that same demographic of young mothers.
Describe your biggest strength as a leader
My heart is my biggest strength and my desire to transform communities with the most disparities.
Describe your biggest challenge as a leader
My heart is my biggest weakness as a leader because sometimes my heart will lead the way and stop me
from developing new leaders.
About the
Organization
and the Project.
Sector
Not-for-profit
Website
Vision & Mission
Viola's House provides a range of essential support programs tailored to uplift
mothers, families, and babies in Dallas. Through our social services initiatives, we
ensure accessibility to vital resources and assistance, while our housing programs
offer temporary shelter and support for mothers and babies in need.
Year Founded
2012
No. of Employees
58
Years in the Organization
12 years
Annual Budget (USD)
$5.400.000
Geographical Area Served
Dallas TX, Brownsville TX
Organizational /
Project Description
The goal is to offer stability and security to single mothers with multiple children, which is essential for their well-being and their children’s healthy development. By providing supportive services and stable living conditions, the program helps mothers acquire the skills and resources necessary for financial independence, thereby reducing their dependence on public assistance. Additionally, access to wraparound services such as childcare and educational support will significantly improve the quality of life for both mothers and their children. This comprehensive support and stable housing are key to breaking the cycle of poverty, equipping families with the tools and opportunities needed for long-term success and stability.
Complete Renovation and Housing Expansion: The project’s first goal is to fully renovate the existing structure, transforming it into a transitional house that can comfortably accommodate four mothers with their children in suit-style living facilities.
Daycare Facility Enhancement: The second goal is to complete necessary renovations and staff the daycare facility to offer licensed, high-quality childcare for up to forty children, managed by qualified staff from Viola’s House.
Development of Support Pathways: Establish collaborative pathways with local health, industry, and education partners to provide mothers with actionable steps for long-term development and self-improvement.
Strengthen Community Engagement: The final goal is to create a nurturing community within the transitional home that supports mothers through resources, emotional support, and opportunities for holistic development.
Why is this project important and timely?
What is the target population of your project?
Purpose Palace on Park Row is a vital expansion of our existing Maternity Home in South Dallas, designed to meet the evolving needs of our community. This transitional home is specially developed to support mothers with multiple children who are navigating the challenges of raising large families alone.
The project aims to provide a stable and supportive environment for these families, helping to ease the transition by offering tailored resources and accommodations. By enhancing their access to essential services, Purpose Palace is committed to fostering long-term stability for these families, thereby making a significant and positive impact one family at a time.
How will you know that you have achieved that impact? What data will you use to assess your impact?
Improve Maternal Health: By offering a nurturing environment that supports mothers postpartum, Purpose Palace aims to improve health outcomes and decrease the risks associated with homelessness after pregnancy.
Early Childhood Development: The Onsite free daycare will ensure that children have a solid foundation for cognitive and emotional growth, while allowing their mothers the stability to pursue education and career opportunities.
Reduction of Health Disparities: The project will address critical gaps in maternal and prenatal care, aiming to reduce health disparities and promote equitable access to necessary services.
Empowerment of Mothers: Through comprehensive programs including education, counseling, and skill-building, mothers will gain the tools needed for independence and the ability to create stable homes for their families.
Sustainable Change: Purpose Palace is designed to break the cycle of poverty and instability for at-risk mothers by offering long-term housing security, which addresses broader societal issues such as food insecurity and health disparities linked to housing instability.
How do you anticipate this unique leadership education impacting you personally? What new skills are you hoping too develop & grow through this experience?
I am hoping to gain more leadership skills and communication skills at learning how to communicate my
WHY and my mission.
Where would you like to see yourself professionally in the next 3 years?
I see myself nationally and globally opening up more Maternity Homes.