Meet Jennifer Creech | Advocacy Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Creech and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
A large part of my job is building supports for foster children. I am inspired by people who have given up their own preferences, comfort and time to bring children into their own homes that need help for a time. They create a welcoming space within their own busy lives for children who need a place to stay.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I work at the Local Good Center. (Not my idea or my creation). It is a community center that creates lasting good by giving access, skills, and relationships. We have 4 pillars: education, job-readiness, wellness and advocacy.

As Advocacy Director- my space is 1) organizing supports for foster children and 2) mental health initiatives for our community.

For our foster care community- if we can support foster children and their families we are helping the most vulnerable in our society. Trauma from being in the system, and trauma from incidences in their home- if we can help bring stability within the system and within their families- it is a win for the community at large. No one wins when an 18-year-old foster youth is aged out of the system. Everyone wins, when a family is helped in restoration or a child who cannot go home is adopted. A world of difference in the outcome of aging out and restoration/adoption. We help bridge the gap for all involved in the foster care space, connecting, providing tangible support, and always asking the question- what is next to best serve these children?

For our mental health space- we are providing access to information, practical helps and supports for our program participants. We do this within the framework of supportive connections and relationships. The program is new and we are working with local partner to best see how to serve our participants.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live off of McKinney Ave in Dallas. I would hop on the trolley through downtown and down McKinney Ave. Hop off at Klyde Warren Park, enjoy all the kids on the playground, and walk through the musical water fountain. Stop at Mi Cocina for queso, chips and sangria. Go for a walk past American Airlines and down the Katy Trail. Stop over at Farmer’s Market and then a walk down Greenville Avenue with Snuffers jalapeno burger. Then walk off the burger rounding White Rock Lake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Coworkers at the Local Good Center are passionately engaged in each of their individual areas and are making a significant impact in our community . They drive me to be better and have so much fun!

Website: localgoodcenter.org

Instagram: @localgoodcenter