TITLE: Commending Heart House for 20 years of service to refugee children in the Vickery Meadow community in Dallas.

SUMMARY: Commending Heart House for 20 years of service to refugee children in the Vickery Meadow community in Dallas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, For 20 years, Heart House has helped refugee children thrive in the Vickery Meadow community of Dallas; and WHEREAS, Many refugees reside in Vickery Meadow, and most come from countries beset by conflict and privation; while learning how to navigate a new culture, children are often dealing with early trauma caused by such factors as war, separation from caregivers, harsh living conditions, and post-migration issues that can include discrimination and social exclusion; refugee children are over-represented in special education programs and are typically three to four years behind their peers academically; and WHEREAS, Heart House offers after-school and summer programs, following a holistic mental and behavioral health model that adapts to a child's background and current emotional state; with its Head, Heart, Hands program, also known as H3, Heart House makes social-emotional learning a core component in its strategy to promote healing and growth through educational and therapeutic experiences customized for the individual; research demonstrates that this approach increases academic performance and improves mental health; and WHEREAS, Reflecting the diversity of Vickery Meadow, Heart House currently serves children who speak nearly 20 different languages and dialects; it provides students from kindergarten through eighth grade with space to play, have a meal, and enjoy music, art, and other enrichment activities; group counseling is available, as well as extra support from a team of mental health professionals; and WHEREAS, Immigrants contribute immeasurably to the vibrancy of our communities, and by encouraging the emotional, social, and cognitive development of refugee children, Heart House is preparing them to be more happy, resilient, and productive members of society; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby honor Heart House for 20 years of service to refugee children in Dallas and extend to all those associated with this noteworthy organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Heart House as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1388 was adopted by the House on May 26, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House