This will be Jill’s fourth year to participate in the alley’s house Art Auction. She first became interested in supporting alley’s house through the art auction because alley’s house works to empower women.

“I am interested in causes that support women’s issues and collaborating with organizations, such as alley’s house,” Jill said, “that support and help empower women’s issues …and empower women’s lives.”

Jill is passionate about her artwork and said the passion alley’s house has towards empowering teen mothers and their children really urged her to continue participating in the art auction.

“They are all so passionate about their cause,” she said, “and have helped empower so many teen mothers to achieve independence through their support services.”

She said she appreciates the acknowledgment alley’s house provides to the artists for contributing work in order to raise funds for the services provided to young women throughout the year.

Go to alley’s house Facebook page to RSVP to alley’s house 8^th Annual Art Auction, Incrementum II at Rising Gallery on February 4!

Purchase tickets  for the alley’s house 8th Annual Art Auction online here to see Jill’s 36″ x 48″ painting “Reflections In A Kaleidescope”  in person.

When she discovered alley’s house, Tiffany knew she found the right match.

“I fell in love with the organization,” Tiffany “The cause is very near and dear to my heart as I, too, was a teen mom with no high school diploma and no help.”

While it was 15 years ago when Tiffany was in the same position as many of the mothers at alley’s house, her memories as a teen mom are still vivid.

I was a teen mom with no education, on welfare, working odd-end jobs, no plan for the future, and no help,” Tiffany said. “I was fortunate enough to meet and fall in love with someone that encouraged me to return to school, go to college, help me to raise my son, and not remain the statistic I could have become.”

Tiffany immediately wanted to become involved with alley’s house. Since the holidays were right around the corner, she decided organize a gift drive with her co workers at KPMG  for the alley’s house holiday party.

“I felt that organizing a gift drive to benefit the clients of alley’s house was the PERFECT thing to do,” Tiffany said. “I just wanted to be involved in some way.”

Together they were able to donate a gift for every child at alley’s house and provide every mom with a $25 Target gift certificate. The moms and the children were ecstatic to receive the generous gifts.

Tiffany believes that it is important to support the young moms because she knows the impact that it will make on their lives.

“I am an example that with encouragement, support, education, and life skills, young moms can build a solid foundation for their families,” Tiffany said. “I had help and I feel it is my duty to pay it forward.”

If you are interested in volunteering with alley’s house, we are always looking for tutors, mentors and other volunteers. Visit our website to view our volunteer opportunities and learn more about how you too can pay it forward.

Kiki said she is returning to participate in the art auction as an artist because she supports what alley’s house is accomplishing for young mothers.

“I realize that, with proper help from others,” she said, “it is possible to change and improve your life.”

Last year at Incrementum, Kiki said she spoke to one of the alley’s house teen moms and was moved by her story. She said she realized just how much of an impact alley’s house has made in the mom’s life

“She brought tears to my eyes about how alley’s house helped her,” Kiki said. “I want to be a part of contributing in a way that will make a difference in the way I know how. My art. [Donation to the art auction] is a vehicle for using my art as doing a good deed and I hope to make others happy in owning it as it makes me happy to create it.”

The artist said she brings the invisible world of imagination into visual expression of a universal truth, beauty with her art.

Kiki Curry "The Space Between" 36" x 48" acrylic

“My goal is to create the visions of my true nature, sharing my spiritual journey on canvas of inner visions,” she said. “With art, I desire to provoke a feeling as well as a mere object of vision. I intend to connect to the observer that feeling which lifts me and brings me joy. Enjoy the viewing and experience my bliss of creativity.”

Kiki hopes that her art will move the appropriate buyer to raise money for alley’s house.

Go to alley’s house Facebook page to RSVP to alley’s house 8^th Annual Art Auction, Incrementum II at Rising Gallery on February 4!

Purchase your tickets ahead of time online here.

Jennifer sees her artistic abilities as her way to serve others. She chose to support alley’s house because of the great work alley’s house does to empower young women in combination with the organization’s efforts to empower the artists participating in the art auction by giving a portion of the sale of the art to the artist.

“We are all gifted in our own ways, art is my best way to serve others,” she said. “There are many nonprofits that raise money to help community efforts, but not one so far in all the years I’ve served artfully has ever reached back to the artist like alley’s house.”

With the relationship between alley’s house and the artist community, Jennifer would encourage any artist to participate in the annual art event.

“I certainly will encourage other artists to participate in alley’s house art auction,” Jennifer said. “alley’s house is such an important cause with support for artists, for goodness sakes this is the first nonprofit to provide a canvas plus additional support of allowing a portion of the sale from profit go to the artist, for an art fundraising event!”

Jennifer thinks the mission to empower teen mothers and their children at alley’s house is an important and worthwhile cause to support.

“I know how terribly important it is for young women to be educated with life skills so that they can manage their lives better which affects their children, which affects all of us and our future,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer’s support of alley’s house now extends past the art auction in February.

When Jennifer came to alley’s house and met the staff members she said she immediately wanted to find another way to give back to alley’s house. As she was talking to Executive Director Allison Whitehead and Office Manager Angel Davis, Jennifer mentioned that she did face painting and asked if there was an event where alley’s house could utilize her skills.

At the holiday party last week Jennifer’s face painting skills were a huge hit! All of the children lined up to get their face painted like their favorite superhero or with a pretty mask. Even a few moms had their face painted.

alley’s house is very thankful to Jennifer’s support. Do not miss the opportunity to meet her at the alley’s house 8^th Annual Art Auction on February 4 at Rising Art Gallery!

She learned about alley’s house while taking parenting classes. Yesenya’s counselor suggested that she try alley’s house to which would help her prepare for her GED and provide her life skills classes that Yesenya could grow from.

Yesenya with her daughter Ilene. Photo by Kalli Barker.

Taking her counselor’s advice Yesenya called alley’s house. In May, she was named alley’s house Mother of the Yearand today she is ready to take her GED and move on from alley’s house into life. Yesenya will take the exam on January 23, and while she admits to being nervous about taking the GED exam, she is also excited about all of the opportunities that are available by having a GED.

alley’s house has helped her with other skills, besides just preparing for the GED. Yesenya said she has learned many different life skills and constructive parenting methods while enrolled with alley’s house. One of the classes that has helped her prepare for the next step in life is the job interviewing.

“They taught me interview etiquette, what to wear, what questions to ask, how to prepare, and everything that goes along with interviewing,” she said.

Currently she is working as a waitress at a local restaurant to pay her bills, but plans to attend school for surgical development.

Yesenya said her daughter is a big source of motivation for her to be successful in life.

“I want to give my daughter the best life I can, the life I didn’t have,” she said.

alley’s house not only gave her the skills necessary to be successful, it also gave her the motivation to do more with her life.

“[Without alley’s house]I would probably be at home, asleep not doing anything with my life,” she said.

Currently Yesenya is she is living with her Mom. She said she is thankful that her mom helps watch Ilene while Yesenya is at school and is available to help her out.

Yesenya will be among those graduating from alley’s house.

Local artist Tia W. Vaughn will present her work at Incrementum II: alley's house 8th Annual Art Auction.

Participating local artists picked up their canvases earlier this month and are now busy creating their piece for 8th Annual alley’s house Art Auction: Incrementum II on Saturday, February 4.

This will be Tia W. Vaughn’s second year contributing to the annual art event.

Participating local artists picked up their canvases earlier this month and are now busy creating their piece for the 8th Annual alley’s house Art Auction on Saturday, February 4.

This will be Tia W. Vaughn’s second year contributing to the annual art event.

“I continue to participate because I personally know how difficult it is being a parent,” Williams said. “It’s really inspirational to see young moms strive, learn and accomplish so much at such a young age. To my knowledge there are not many organizations such as alley’s house that will help young mom’s the way they do. Without alley’s house, there are so many other places that these moms could be that would not benefit them or their kids. Also, the staff and other artists are such nice people, how could I not participate?”

The artist explained that painting is more like a mental vacation that allows her to display her feelings on canvas in a variety of mediums and colors.

“I really enjoy painting without something in mind just to see what will flow from naturally,” she said. “I go through a thinking process of what mediums and colors I want to use and whether or not I want to use brushes or some other tool depending on what look I’m trying to achieve.”

From Williams’ piece, Incrementum II guests can expect to see a contemporary piece, perhaps with a sparkle here or there.

“My artwork is mostly contemporary, abstract or abstractions of nature–trees and flowers especially,” she said. “Since I love art as well as jewelry design and fashion, I sometimes try to find ways to merge the two in to one work of art. A trending color or style of jewelry may be my inspiration or even jewelry hardware or stones may inspire me.”

She said she is currently studying different mediums and techniques, but plans on expanding her recent paintings into a series.

“The piece I entered in the auction last year, Blissful Branches, Lovely Beginnings 2010, began my series of abstract tree paintings,” Williams said. “I’ve started a pointillism painting which will begin a series and a painting I entered for the Artists Against Aids auction, Uplifting Continuation 2011, began my series of more modern/contemporary work.”

Tickets for Incrementum II at the Rising Art Gallery   are available for sale online here. The event will feature live jazz by The Brehms and complimentary wine and hors dè oeuvres.  General Admission is $25, and if you are enrolled in Friends of alley’s house, your membership offers you a discounted rate at $15 per ticket.

Rising Art Gallery is located at 800 Jackson St.  Dallas, TX 75202.

Now you can let others know about our efforts and successes.

Over the last five months Southwest Community for Motion Picture Artists (SCOMPA) has been working hard to help us spread the word about what alley’s house is about, and what we can accomplish with supporters like you who generously give to help us continue improving the lives for young women like Loida Garza featured in the video.

And if you haven’t had the opportunity yet, this is your chance to hear first hand from alley’s house tutors, staff members, board members who work hard to help us accomplish our mission, and teen moms that have benefited from alley’s house programs.

After watching this video we hope that you will share this with friends, family, and colleagues, and let them know why you choose to support us. We also invite you to post your comments on our YouTube page, and share it on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.

Kaylee’s mother is the one who suggested alley’s house to Kaylee.

Focusing on her daughter and school collectively was difficult, so Kaylee dropped out of high school in tenth grade.

“It was too much; going to school and taking care of her at the same time,” she said. “Plus I didn’t have a way to get [Alexis] to daycare.”

As Kaylee attempted to find a job after dropping out of high school she realized just how important education is in the workforce.

“Everywhere I looked for a job required a GED,” Kaylee said. “I wanted to work in a daycare, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have a GED.”

After Kaylee contacted alley’s house and attended the orientation she decided that alley’s house was the right program for her. Kaylee said she really liked that she could bring her daughter with her to alley’s house, there were tutors for the GED, and she could learn how to be a better mother through the alley’s house program.

Although she knew immediately that she would like to be a part of alley’s house, she was placed on the waiting list for 3-4 months before she was able to join the program.

She soon realized that alley’s house was well worth the wait.

Since joining alley’s house Kaylee said tutors and interns like Russell DeGrow and Cymone Rogers have helped her advance her math skills enough to be prepared to take the GED in December.

“When Russell works with me one-on-one he explains it in a better way than the book would say,” she said.

alley’s house has helped her get Alexis’s birth certificate, and learn how to be a better parent through constant teachings and encouragement from the alley’s house staff, and the parenting workshops.

“They taught me how to be a better parent to her,” she said.

Kaylee said the program provided her with tips like how and when to put Alexis in time out, alternative discipline methods than spanking, and tips on potty training.

Kaylee has been so happy with her experience at alley’s house she recommends it to other teen moms she knows who are struggling.

Alternatively, Kaylee also enjoys doing hair and she likes the flexibility of cosmetology. Another option she is considering is going into cosmetology as a short-term career before she begins nursing school in order to be able to provide more for her and Alexis while she is in school.

Wherever her life takes her, Kaylee is preparing to make a better life not only for herself and Alexis, but also for others.

alley's house 2011 Volunteer of the Year - Russell DeGrow

When Russell and his son, who was looking for volunteer opportunities until he could find employment, went to alley’s house, Russell said he immediately felt a connection to alley’s house’s mission

“By learning important life and work skills and passing the GED exam, teenage mothers and their children will have more opportunities in life than they might otherwise have had {without the help of alley’s house],” Russell said.

Before choosing to volunteer with alley’s house, Russell tutored at various middle schools and high schools in the Dallas Independent School District.

Many teen moms at alley’s house struggle with math.  As an accountant, Russell has the tools to help others with math so in his opinion, why not help?

“Plenty of people have helped me with a lot of things throughout my life,” he said, “it seems reasonable that I would assist others when they need help with something.”

alley’s house is special to Russell because of the mission to help teen mothers and their children to become independent.

“I believe it is important to look for ways to support individuals in their efforts to reach self-sufficiency,” Russell said, “and I think the best way to provide opportunities for teen mothers and their children is to help them achieve independence.”

Tutoring teen moms does come with a unique set of challenges for Russell.

Russell said he constantly sees the young moms trying to juggle multiple priorities, such as helping their children while working on their studies.

”Sometimes we also face time constraints,” he said. “I often wish I had more time to stay and work with the moms on their studies, but despite this [the moms] work hard and are a pleasure to work with.”

Russell said he enjoys watching the teen moms learn and grow, not only in preparing for the GED test but for life.

Russell takes the time to come to alley’s house any chance he can. He has been known to come to alley’s house during lunch or even take a half-day off of work to come tutor at alley’s house for a little while.

Russell said he would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to come tutor at alley’s house.

“It is a unique place where you can really make a difference and get to know some wonderful people at the same time,” he said. “The staff is great, the moms work hard, and if I can help out in any way I am going to do so.  I’d come here every day if I could!”

This Halloween while most teens her age are getting their costume together for Halloween parties with their friends, but today Janette is shopping for Halloween costumes for her daughter.

Eighteen-year-old Janette was 15 when she became pregnant with her beautiful daughter Ruby. Her Mom took her out of school three months into her freshman year of high school. After dropping out of school, she went to live with her boyfriend at the time, Ruby’s father.

Two years later she was referred to alley’s house through Family Outreach Services. She began attending alley’s house in June of 2010.

Janette has taken advantage of many services that alley’s house offers, such as computer skills, life skills classes, and parenting workshops. She said that her favorite aspect of alley’s house is the different workshops that are available for her.

“[The workshops] help me to know when things fail, or when the baby is sick you know what to do,” she said. After completing the workshops you can see “this is the way I was doing it, and this is a better way you to do it.”

The Love and Logic series, planning relationships for the future and financial planning are just a few of her favorite workshops.

Right now Janette is continuing to work on her GED, she hopes to take the test either in December or January. Tutors have been very helpful to Janette, especially for the math portion. Although there are not always tutors that are available to come in on the days that she is there, Janette really treasures the days that there are tutors there to help her.

Janette has many dreams for herself that she hopes to accomplish one day. While she hasn’t decided what type of career she wishes to pursue nursing, pediatrics, a pharmacy, and culinary arts are on the list.

“I want to work with kids,” she said, “I have to figure out how I want to accomplish all of these things.”

For now she is focusing on passing her GED, getting a job, pursuing an education and providing a stable life for she and her daughter. She does not want to rely on family members for support forever. Janette plans on attending a community college in Dallas after she receives her GED.

Janette realizes that the struggles are worthwhile, and Janette says that alley’s house has helped her grow immensely.

“Sometimes you have to live a hard life in order to get the better things later on,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from what I did not know, to be a better mom… think better and make better decisions than I was making.”

Because of all her hard work and perseverance Janette can dress her daughter in her ladybug costume for Halloween today and know that she is doing all she can to make a better life for both of them.