“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
The Rees-Jones Foundation awarded 13 nonprofit organizations that serve families impacted by homelessness with Christmas giving grants to close out 2023. Grantee recipients included: Arlington Life Shelter, Dallas Leadership Foundation. Dallas Life, Denton County Friends of the Family, Family Gateway, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Interfaith Family Services, Mosaic Family Services, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Rainbow Days, SafeHaven of Tarrant County, and Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County.
A total of $50,100 was awarded so that children could have a tangible experience of joy this season.
Christmas giving grants have been awarded annually since 2009 when the Foundation’s founders lamented the number of children living in homeless shelters during the Christmas season and did not want to think that these children may not have some sort of Christmas. The families who are served by these grantees have been impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse or other adverse experiences and have to spend the holidays in shelters or other temporary housing. With Christmas funding, some organizations will purchase gifts to directly give to the children in their care or setup a store for parents and caregivers to shop in for Christmas gifts for their children.
Items purchased by grantees this year include toys, bicycles, presents with a holiday meal, stockings, and an updated play center.
When John tells us at the beginning of his Gospel account that “Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” it is never more evidenced than when we see children experience the joy of being seen, known, and loved. Through even just a few gifts during the Christmas season, we have heard story after story and seen photo after photo of the impact that this funding can have on the life of children and their parents and caregivers.
To see a child eye’s beaming with excitement as they unwrap gifts, their parents or caregivers smiling for the what may be the first time in a while—the experience of giving is a divine gift to the Foundation as we watch families experience the light of Christ.
The Foundation is consistently in awe at the work organizations are doing in the community to bring Light to the darkness that many families have experienced this year. As we step in 2024, we want to thank our grantees who we had the chance to partner with in 2023—thank YOU for bringing hope to children across North Texas and internationally. We step forward into the new year in faith that truly “the darkness will not overcome.” The Light of the Savior we proclaim has come.
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