Meet Nesa Grider | CEO

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

Hi Nesa, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Growing up in a small midwest town, everyone around me (except my grandmother) told me to stop all the nonsense; there was no reason to stand out. That fueled my ambition and drove me to do more; there just had to be more.

Growing up in a small town can profoundly impact a person’s life, shaping their values, beliefs, and character, as it did for me. Growing up in a small rural town blue-collar family in the Midwest meant the scarcity of jobs, geographic isolation, and a deep connection to not wanting to move from the way it’s always been done.

It was great for a child to enjoy the farm playing in the fields, picking wildflowers, and catching fireflies at night. We learned the value of hard work and perseverance from our parents, and that no meant no. Despite the joys of small-town life, I also experienced the limitations and prejudices that come with a lack of acceptance and change. This was a town where females did not and should not have a voice, especially if they voiced an opposing opinion.

But my small-town upbringing also taught me resilience and the importance of standing up for what I believed in, even when it went against the grain.
I carried these lessons with me, eventually leaving my hometown to pursue a career leading a Non-Profit. We advocate and support at-risk, victimized, and homeless teens who are often forgotten and don’t have a voice.

No matter where I go, I always remember the values and lessons instilled in me by my hometown upbringing. They remained an integral part of who I am and helped me navigate the challenges and triumphs of my life’s journey.

I have been accused of marching to my drummer, but I still often hear those words today. My response remains the same; it’s my most incredible virtual; follow along!

What should our readers know about your business?
The Journey To Dream Foundation is a North Texas-based non-profit. Since 2004, we have strived to transform the lives of at-risk, often victimized, and homeless youth ages 14-19. We believe no young person should be alone in facing the challenges of the teen years, whether managing everyday stresses or an extraordinary crisis like homelessness. Journey to Dream walks alongside teens empowering them to make healthy choices, cope with adversity, and develop the skills to pursue their dreams. Journey To Dream successfully reaches, impacts, and interacts with more than 15,000 teens annually through our programs – Kyle’s Place, Dream Initiative, Teen Advocacy Forum, and community events.

Kyle’s Place provides services for unaccompanied and foster youth working toward independence offered through our transitional living campus. These teens have often endured unspeakable traumatic and adverse
experiences throughout their young lives. In addition to living on the streets, many survived abusive homes, spent time in juvenile justice facilities, or have been victims of human trafficking and exploitation. Kyle’s Place is a 19-bed facility that offers a warm bed, food, clothing, trauma counseling, case management, and life skill training. As the only youth transitional residential campus in Denton County for teens ages 14-19, Kyle’s Place provides stability and a family-like experience where youth can cultivate a positive identity, break negative cycles, take ownership, and plan for their future while discovering the life skills necessary to thrive in adulthood.

Journey to Dream aggressively stretches to reach more teens through our Dream Initiative program. Thanks to our continued partnership with the area school districts and charter schools, this initiative continues to impact over 10,000 students annually. The curriculum-based program provides a safe haven for students to share life and find acceptance and understanding while navigating the challenges of being a teen in today’s world. The curriculum covers social, emotional, and mental health concerns, bullying, healthy boundaries, coping skills, and substance abuse. Our Dream Initiative programming brings life lessons into sharp focus for thousands of middle and high school students annually, preparing students to be confident and productive adults. Students explore their strengths and identity, then put them to work doing good in the world through service.

The most valuable lesson we learned to like most is that 2020 was a year of rapid and constant change. Change leadership is a lasting attribute for long-term nonprofit success. Quickly adapting our services was the key to our ongoing success. Additionally, in 2020 we explored new ways to collaborate with our donors and supporters. We learned one key lesson about our sponsors and how inviting them often to challenge the roadmap and create deep support for a long-term vision is important. Many donors and our sponsors, closely watching our progress, were a kind of additional motivation to support innovative programs.

I want the world to know that nation’s invisible homeless population, undercounted for years, hiding out in cars and abandoned buildings, in motels and on couches, often trading sex for a place to sleep. And now, for various reasons, the number of youth — teens and young adults — living on the street appears to be growing beyond belief. Journey to Dream is commitment to be change maker even if one teen at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live at Lake Granbury, about 1 and 40 south of the metroplex. What a great way to relax and rejuvenate. The Granbury Town Square is a Historic Square packed with shops, small-town culture, and good eats. Additionally, there are live performances year-round on open-air stages, downtown nightlife, and annual festivals, always happening.

If you get tired of shopping, you can kick back over at the beach, head down to the Brazos River from the seat of a kayak, or explore the peaceful hike and bike trails.

Come visit.,

Arrive:
Breakfast – at Pam’s, one of the best places for breakfast, but you better come hungry!

Load up the boat and head out to Party Cove, a beach area in the middle of the lake. Ski, Sun, Lunch and Fun

Dinner: 1895 Steak House, one of the best on the Square

Night Cap and Dancing: Bob’s Get Little Bar Tucked away on the square

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ultimately, a mentor believes in you more than you believe in yourself. This belief helps encourage you to have the confidence to do things you might not otherwise do. As Henry Ford of motor car fame said, “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are probably right.” When I first came to work with Nancy T. Richards, I was a young, wide-eyed real estate professional with so much to learn.

While Nancy taught me so much about real estate, she unwittingly taught me so much more. She taught me about being a leader, a friend, a philanthropist and how to say yes, and no even when you want to say yes. Nancy and I worked together for 26 years, and it was one of the hardest things for me when we parted, but one of God’s greatest blessings. God opened the door for me to become the CEO of Journey to Dream; I thank Nancy for the lessons I learned during our time together. Nancy’s belief in me consequently transformed into the belief in myself,

Website: https://www.journeytodream.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_to_dream/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/journey-to-dream-foundation/

Twitter: @journeytodream.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTD4Teens/