We are excited to highlight our staff’s efforts to remain open during the winter storms last month, our staff appreciation lunch provided by the Auxiliary of Nexus and Palmer’s Hot Chicken, as well as a story about our Generations Sober Mom Squad. The Auxiliary of Nexus is excited to announce Laura Jeffers and her mother Harriet Jeffers, as honorary chairs of the Mother’s May Brunch 2022.
Security
As a residential treatment facility, Nexus operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure the safety of the women and children we serve. When weather reports began to predict an incoming snowstorm in early February, Nexus leadership and staff began to prepare in advance so that services could continue as uninterrupted as possible. Since many of our clients do not have anywhere else to go, Nexus must remain open and staffed regardless of the weather.
Although rare, severe winter weather is not unusual in North Texas. However, it can bring icy road conditions that make driving dangerous. Anticipating the freeze, our facilities team found a vendor that had over a ton of salt available and traveled 150 miles round-trip to secure it for Nexus. In addition, more food was ordered so that we would not run out. Days before, Nexus staff brought in air mattresses, cots, and sleeping bags to spend the night on campus so that they could report to their shifts the next day.
During the winter storm, program staff also worked extra shifts to ensure that we could safely serve our clients, while others filled in to cover areas of need on campus. Kitchen staff did not miss a day of work and had warm meals prepared by 7 a.m. each morning and continued their regular meal service throughout the days. Our facilities team was on hand to ensure that our buildings and grounds were safe and secure. During the coldest days, they also worked to keep the boiler in our administration building from going out. Without the boiler, the building which houses our cafeteria, auditorium, and group rooms, would reach freezing temperatures. In addition, the facilities staff removed ice from sidewalks and stairs and treated them with salt so that clients and staff could safely walk around campus.
“The safety and security of our clients is of utmost importance,” says Chief Operations Officer Charles Betts. “Despite the challenges that the winter weather brings to our campus, our staff show a resilience and dedication that is worthy of recognition. They have made sacrifices and put in some long hours, and we are truly thankful for their efforts.”
Community
The Auxiliary of Nexus held its annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, February 14, with catering by Palmer’s Hot Chicken. The Auxiliary of Nexus hosts an annual appreciation lunch as a token of gratitude for staff whose hard work and dedication is essential to helping Nexus achieve its mission. We are so grateful to the Auxiliary and Palmer’s Hot Chicken for supporting our team.
This year’s staff appreciation lunch included Palmer’s jumbo chicken tenders as well as a selection of sides including cole slaw, maple baked beans, pimento cheese grits, and collard greens. Staff were thrilled to sample these southern delights and grateful for the Auxiliary’s continued support.
Palmer’s Hot Chicken was created by Texas native and Nashville-bred, Palmer Fortune and his wife Amanda. Palmer spent 30 years living in Nashville, where he ate plenty of hot chicken, long before it was a national dining phenomenon.
Supporting Nexus is especially meaningful to the couple who are both in long-term recovery – Palmer has 16 years and Amanda has 14. “I love my wife and kids, but recovery is the most important aspect of my life. Without recovery, I would have nothing.”
Located at the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Abrams Road in Dallas, Palmer’s Hot Chicken serves Nashville hot chicken, catfish, and shrimp. It won “Best Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in 2021” by Dallas Observer and named one of the Top 4 spots to have fried chicken in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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.
Dignity
This month, we are excited to feature the Nexus Generations Sober Mom Squad, which is an outpatient group that provides safe sober support for pregnant and parenting women and their children. Director of Generations, Lindsay Malholtra, started the group in June 2021 because she saw a need for mothers to be guided in a creative way after leaving treatment. Currently, the group, which is open to Nexus clients and alums, has an average attendance of around 20 women and about 18 babies and children a week.
“Seeing the moms grow and connect with one another makes my heart feel complete,” says Lindsay. “I want clients to be successful in all ways – emotionally, physically, financially – and more than anything in their recovery journey. The Generations staff is truly committed to making a safe space for our mothers.”
The Sober Mom Squad is open to pregnant and parenting women with children and emphasizes connection with one another. Moms meet weekly and participate in different sober activities including painting, yoga, guest speakers, potlucks, holiday events, process groups, roundtable conversations, resource assistance, vision boards, and classes on mental health, relapse prevention, and budgeting. In addition, a postpartum doula visits the group biweekly to connect with new mothers and offer education and support. Nexus’ Nutrition Services provides snacks, coffee and other foods for moms and their children to enjoy. Clients are also recognized for consistent participation and recovery dates are celebrated.
The group is well-received by clients and alums who appreciate the chance to fellowship in a safe environment with women who care and consider the Generations office to be a second home. “Every Tuesday at Generations is a wonderful and blessed occasion for me and my son. When we hit the door, we are welcome with love and comfort. I enjoy the staff as well as my other Sober Mom Squad sisters,” says one participant. “It’s more than the atmosphere. It’s a place of safety, love, and joy. I can release any and all worries and burdens.” Nexus is currently seeking volunteers to support our weekly Sober Mom Squad group, by helping to serve food and take part in activities with moms and their children.
Support
Lauren Gillette, president of the Auxiliary of Nexus, announces Laura Jeffers and her mother, Harriet Jeffers, as honorary chairs of the Mothers May Brunch 2022.
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 Texas of Women.
“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 to Lois and Frank Hines. She graduated from SMU in 1966 with a degree in education and taught in Dallas ISD and private schools for 16 years. She also earned a certificate in learning disabilities at Scottish Rite and 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 with the Dallas Foundation and Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Harriet’s love for her own daughters, who are both in recovery, along with her desire to help children, has ignited her passion to be a part of Nexus.
Join the Auxiliary of Nexus for the Mothers May Brunch this May to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, and all the special women in our lives. Proceeds will support the mission of Nexus Recovery Center and ensure that mothers with substance use disorders can receive needed services to rebuild their lives and heal alongside their families. Tickets are $200 each, and sponsorship levels begin at $2,500.
SAVE THE DATE:
Mothers May Brunch
Saturday, May 21, 2022
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Dallas Country Club
4155 Mockingbird Lane | Dallas, TX 75205
Nexus is committed to hosting a safe, in-person event and following all CDC guidelines. All guests will be encouraged to wear a mask upon entering the venue. For any questions, please contact [email protected] or 214-321-0156.
