The Meadows Foundation is making a difference for children who have been abused
NORTH TEXAS — It is the season of giving, and the work of nonprofits and charitable groups in metroplex is made possible by grants and donations.
One of the largest private, statewide funders in Texas is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Meadows Foundation has given more than $500 million to organizations in North Texas to date.
It was started in 1948 by Al and Virginia Meadows to improve the quality of life for all Texans.
"Over the last 75 years, we've granted—only in Texas—more than $1.3 billion," said its president and CEO, Peter Miller.
Grants range from $15 to $45 million and have gone to 3,700 different organizations and groups across the state.
"There's education, homelessness, mental health, the arts," Miller said. "So it's a multi-discipline."
The Meadows Foundation recently gave more than $100,000 to the Children's Advocacy Center for North Texas.
It is a safe place for children who have been victims of abuse.
"Out of this location, the healing services are offered," said CEO Kristen Howell. "Victim advocacy, medical services, whatever the child needs. It's essentially a one-stop shop when the worst thing happens to a child and their family."
The center responds to all felony level crimes against children, like sexual or physical abuse, in Denton, Wise and Jack counties.
"Those are crimes that know no geographic or ethnic or socioeconomic bounds," Howell said. "It can happen to any type of family any time."
Getting the victim appropriate services as quickly as possible is critical, but two years ago, the center began running a mental health waitlist.
"All of a sudden—with the growth in this area, and frankly the higher mental health needs that came out of COVID combined with child abuse rates also going up—we had a crisis on our hands," said Howell.
That is where the Meadows Foundation came in. With their help, the Children's Advocacy Center was able to eliminate its waitlist.
"In this space, we see the very worst of humanity," Howell said. "It's true. But we also see the very best. We see people who just jump in, roll up their sleeves, willing to help."
You can learn more about the Meadows Foundation here.