May 21: Auxiliary of Nexus Recovery Center Mother’s May Brunch
Celebrating 51 Years of Changing Lives
(Featured photo: Honorary Chairs Harriet Jeffers and Laura Jeffers. Brunch Chair Louise Hallam Collins and Oliver Collins.)*
Lauren Gillette, president of the Auxiliary of Nexus, is delighted to announce Louise Hallam Collins as chair of the Mother’s May Brunch 2022 and Laura Jeffers and her mother, Harriet Jeffers, as honorary chairs.
Happening on Saturday, May 21st at the Dallas Country Club, this delightful brunch celebrates mothers, grandmothers and all the women in our lives. Proceeds will support the mission of Nexus Recovery Center and ensure that mothers with substance use disorder can receive needed services to rebuild their lives and heal alongside their families.
Last year, the Auxiliary sponsored a Mother’s Day Pop-Up Flower Shop at Nexus Recovery Center, which was a wonderful success. This is the first Auxiliary brunch since 2019. In 2020 and 2021, COVID mandated the cancellation of their annual luncheon.
This year’s event will feature a live and silent auction and featured speakers, Nexus client Jade Rose and her eight-year-old son. For 32-year-old Jade Rose, a mother of three, the decision to regain her sanity after a lifetime of losing it due to substance abuse disorder, is an exercise in forgiveness, gratitude, healing, dogged determination, and flat-out intestinal fortitude. She’s on the mountaintop now, but admits the climb was brutal because of her IV meth-plagued journey. Her son said, “”I love Nexus. This place made me feel better. I was bad when I got here, and I didn’t like my mommy because she was on drugs but now my mommy is happy and loves us so much and she works so hard for us. You can get your kids back too you just have to do good like my mommy.” Their compelling story will warm the hearts of everyone attending. The Nexus campus children will be highlighted in a musical performance accompanied with music by a student string quartet.
“Nexus Recovery Center is incredibly thankful to our powerful and impactful Auxiliary as they continue to advocate for our clients as they pursue their recovery journey,” said Heather Ormand, CEO of Nexus Recovery Center. “An essential part of the recovery journey is feeling supported and championed by those around you. The Auxiliary plays this key role in the support of so many courageous women in our community.”
Since 1971, Nexus Recovery Center has walked alongside thousands of women and their children on the path to recovery from substance use disorders. Nexus’ mission is to serve as a community of hope and sobriety for all women and their families who strive to live healthy, resilient lives. Nexus treats the whole woman by offering an array of comprehensive services, including specialized substance use disorder treatment services, as well as therapeutic treatment and care for their accompanying children in order to restore health and encourage resilience, regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. Accredited by the Joint Commission since 2006, it is the only treatment center in North Texas that accepts women in the late stages of pregnancy and also allows children to accompany their mothers into treatment. This year, the Dallas-based nonprofit celebrates 51 years of changing lives.
The community is invited to join in this new signature event for the Auxiliary in support of Nexus’ mission. Tickets are $200 each. Sponsorship levels begin at $2,500 up to $25,000 and are available via the website at https://nexusrecovery.org/mothers-may-brunch/. Email Development@nexusrecovery.org or call 214-321-0156 x 2146 for more information.
About the Honorary Chairs: Laura Jeffers and her mother, Harriet Jeffers:
Laura Jeffers was born in Dallas and graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.S. in Radio, Television, and Film. She is active in the Dallas community devoting her time to support various organizations including The Magdalen House, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Patriot Paws, and Canine Companions. She is also a member of the Dallas Foundation and Women’s Philanthropy Institute and sits on the board of directors at Towns of Highland Park HOA and EBC Farms Rescue. She previously taught second and third grade at White Rock North Private School and served on the board of the Dallas Black Dance Theater. She is an alumna of Leadership Women of Texas.
“I am inspired by the amazing people at Nexus and their dedication to women and children who have been the recipients of their generosity,” says Laura. “I am currently in recovery and cannot imagine being a mother with nowhere to go. I also have the great privilege of having a mother who has been unrelenting and unconditional in her love for me. Co-chairing this Mothers May Brunch with my mother – my hero – is as special as it gets.”
Harriet Hines Jeffers was born in Dallas and graduated from SMU in 1966 with a degree in Education. She taught in DISD and private schools, including Dean Memorial for 16 years. She attended Scottish Rite and earned her Certificate in Learning Disabilities. She also created the Dyslexia Program at Ennis ISD. Harriet and her husband, Buddy Jeffers, co-created Superior Livestock Auction, a company that forever changed the face of the marketing of cattle in the United States and is now the largest livestock auction in North America. She is presently involved in the Dallas Foundation and Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Harriet’s desire to help children and support programs which do so drew her to Nexus and the core values they represent. Her love for her own daughters (both in recovery) has ignited her passion to be a part of this wonderful nonprofit organization.
About the Brunch Chair, Louise Hallam Collins:
Brunch chair Louise Hallam Collins earned her BA from North Texas University in 2003 in Art, and an Associates Degree from The Dallas Art Institute in 1997. She started working part-time at Ben E. Keith in the summers of 1991-1994, and full-time June of 1998. Once full-time, she started as a pull up assistant in the Off-Premise market and worked her way up to Sales Position and then, Business Analyst. Later, she moved over to On-Premise and continued the same process to Sales. She then was welcomed to the Marketing Department as the LBGTQIA, and Asian Marketing Manager assisting public relations through community service, sponsorship and public awareness. She worked in that capacity until 2007, when she took time off to raise her son Oliver, 14. Recently returning in a part-time capacity to the Marketing Department, she continues acts of service in the community through sponsorships and board memberships for non-profits.
COVID-19 Precautions: Nexus is committed to hosting a safe, in-person event and following all CDC guidelines. All guests will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccine status, and temperature checks are required before entering the venue. If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home. Please click here to view the current CDC guidelines regarding gatherings.
About the Auxiliary of Nexus Recovery Center:
The Auxiliary of Nexus supports women and their children who are on their recovery journey with Nexus Recovery Center. Our membership is a force for good in our community.
The mission of the Auxiliary of Nexus is to support and promote the interests of Nexus Recovery Center. Members of the Auxiliary make our community a better place by putting in countless volunteer hours each year, planning, and implementing special events to raise money for Nexus. This mission is accomplished using the following methods:
– By building a strong and active membership
– By stimulating public awareness
– By helping in the financial support of Nexus’ services and projects.
Learn more by visiting the website at https://nexusrecovery.org/auxiliary/
About Nexus Recovery Center
Founded in 1971 and based in Dallas, Texas, Nexus Recovery Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that treats the whole woman by offering an array of comprehensive services, including specialized substance use disorder treatment services, as well as therapeutic treatment and care for their accompanying children in order to restore health and encourage resilience – regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. Accredited by the Joint Commission since 2006, it is the only treatment center in North Texas that accepts women in the late stages of pregnancy and also allows children to accompany their mothers into treatment. Serving solely women on their journey to recovery, Nexus’ mission is to serve as a community of hope and sobriety for all women and their families who strive to live healthy, resilient lives. Nexus achieves its mission through the help of a dedicated board, volunteers, staff, partners, and donors. Together, Nexus Recovery Center changes families’ lives, whatever their income, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. For more information, visit www.nexusrecovery.org .
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent the Auxiliary of Nexus Recovery Center and its special events and make this Philanthropy Lifestyles eBuzz post.)
