December 27, 2018
Fannie C. Harris Elementary School Alumni Visit Youth Center
On December 6 th , three alumni of the Fannie C. Harris Elementary School visited the Youth Center. Alumni included former students Barbara Mathis ('74), Barbara Walter ('73), and Betty Williams ('74). Since this visit, other alumni have contacted After8 about the center, including SheKeitha Stanley, who attended the elementary school in the late '90's.

After8toEducate encourages any other alumni or staff of the Fannie C. Harris Elementary School to reach out to us. The support of the community is invaluable to our efforts, and we could not be more thankful for the former students who have contacted us so far.
Youth Center Accepting In-Kind Donations Through After8's Amazon Wish List
After8toEducate has created an Amazon Wish List for the immediate items needed at the Drop-in Center. The items on the list will help the center serve homeless youth by providing a welcoming and supportive environment.

Please support our efforts by clicking here.
Funding News
Support After8's End-of-Year Campaign with #GiveBigDFW
Every year, the Dallas Metroplex kicks off the holiday season with Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Give Big DFW is a giving platform that allows the DFW community to give locally to charities on this day and through the end of the year. For this year's campaign, After8 set the goal of raising $4,000, representing the 4000 homeless students in Dallas ISD. With your help, we exceeded that goal weeks before the end of the year.

Your support of After8 has helped us reach the following milestones in 2018:

  • Awarded Pegasus Prize by the Dallas Foundation.
  • Approved re-zoning and special use permit by the City Plan Commission and City Council.
  • Commenced renovation April 23rd.
  • Convened inaugural Steering Committee
  • Celebrated ribbon cutting of the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center on November 13th.

Help us keep the momentum going by donating before the end of the year to After8's campaign on the #GiveBigDFW web page. Thanks in advance for your support!
Community Happenings
City of Dallas to Let Juvenile Curfew Ordinance Expire
The Juvenile Curfew Ordinance for Dallas is set to expire on January 18 th , 2019. Pursuant to this ordinance, young people who are out past curfew can be fined up to $500 in addition to legal fees, as they are not given a court-assigned attorney. A study  done by Texas Network of Youth Services and Texas Appleseed posits that, "while these ordinances are not necessarily directed at youth experiencing homelessness, young people experiencing homelessness may be more likely to be charged." A criminal record from non-payment of fines could prevent a young person from obtaining independent housing in the future, leading to homelessness.

On December 11 th , After8 Steering Committee member Mayra Fierro, on her own behalf, addressed the Dallas Youth Commission regarding the ordinance. Fierro stated that the ordinance is an inefficient solution to a social problem because it criminalizes youth who might be homeless or trafficked. On Monday December 11 th , the Dallas Police Department announced that it would not seek renewal for the ordinance .
After8toEducate ("After8") is a first-of-its-kind, collaborative effort to support unsheltered youth enrolled in Dallas Independent School District high schools and provide immediate support services for homeless young adults ages 14-21. Powered through Social Venture Partners Dallas, After8 harnesses the strengths of Dallas ISD and nonprofit agencies Promise House and CitySquare.