The Need

Over 12.8 million children in the United States live in under-resourced communities. Despite the evident need, access to quality after-school programs remains scarce, leaving children vulnerable to risks such as poor academic outcomes, violence and limited opportunities for personal growth. Key barriers include insufficient funding, lack of local resources and an absence of trauma-informed care.

Based on research from the AfterSchool Alliance and the US Census, Dallas is among the list of cities with the greatest need for a By The Hand Affiliate, based on two factors:

  • There are currently three children waiting for afterschool care for every child enrolled.
  • The South Dallas neighborhood is in the top 10% of disadvantaged neighborhoods in the United States.

The Solution

The By The Hand Dallas model centers on three pillars:

1 Safety:

Facilities are secure, welcoming, and trauma-informed. Staff are trained to provide physical and psychological safety, creating an environment where children can thrive.

2 People:

Staff are deeply committed to the organization’s values — Christ-centered, people-focused, and results oriented. Relationships are transformative, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among students.

3 Holistic Programming:

A blend of academic support, physical health services,and spiritual development distinguishes By the Hand’s programming. The program nurutures every aspect of a child’s development with a literacy-focused curriculum, weekly bible study and support for social emotional learning (SEL).

By The Hand Differentiators

  • Christ-centered, faith-based approach
  • Trauma-informed care model: Promotes psychological safety and offers counseling services to students needing additional care.
  • Focus on literacy: Recruits elementary school students reading below grade level and offers a
    daily literacy curriculum proven to help them catch up with their peers.
  • Integration of community service and spiritual
    discipleship: Helps students forge a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live out their faith in their community