September 03, 2026
Books, Bears, and Barking
How we kicked off the school year
Ready, Set, Read, our August family event, came with free books, face paint, and even a county judge doing animal voices.
The highlight might have been Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins sitting down with our kids to read them "Bark, George" by Jules Feiffer. It wasn't just that someone so well respected came to read to them. It's that he committed to it, performing a different voice for each character and making animal noises the whole way through.
That was one part of the afternoon, graciously hosted by North Texas Performing Arts. The whole thing was about celebrating reading, learning, and the community around both. The Dallas Public Library showed up with free books for families. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas handed out blue teddy bears, and their volunteers stuck around to help with activities and spend time with the kids, most of whom were eager to get their faces painted.
Our caregivers had their own reasons to be there. Dallas College brought information about classes and learning opportunities for adults. Brother Bill's Helping Hand, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, and Life Enhancement Services all set up as well. Caregivers told us they were glad to have those conversations in one place, on a Saturday, without having to chase any of it down.
Being a two-generation program mostly means we don't treat a kid's future and a caregiver's future as separate projects. A parent who finds a class they've been meaning to take is part of the same work as a kid who leaves with a new book, and a colorful face. That's why we do one of these every month.
Our thanks to Judge Jenkins, to North Texas Performing Arts, and to everyone who brought something to the table.
