Celebrating 10 Years with Launch of New 2026 Board Leadership

DALLAS, TX — Dallas Hope Charities (DHC) enters 2026 celebrating a milestone 10th anniversary of providing hope a home for LGBTQIA+ youth. As LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness continues to rise across North Texas, this milestone marks not just a celebration, but a call to expand life-saving, affirming housing at a moment when it is needed most.

To help Dallas Hope Charities continue servicing this community, a strategic reorganization of its Board of Directors was needed to further strengthen its housing initiatives, which serve as the primary catalyst for connecting young adults to affirming resources and stability. Leading these efforts into the next decade, the board has appointed John Walls as Board Chair, Jesse Garcia as Vice Chair, Hector Prieto as Secretary, and Jason Reed as Treasurer.

This leadership transition follows the conclusion of executive terms for Roscoe Compton-Kelly (2025 Board Chair) and Heather Bonfield (2025 Vice Chair), whose stewardship was essential in preparing the organization for this 10-year landmark.

“For ten years, our primary mission has been providing the safety and stability of a home,” said Tamika Perry, CEO of Dallas Hope Charities. “Our housing initiatives—including Hope Street, Hope Center, and Finally Home—are designed to connect the puzzle pieces that end homelessness and hopelessness for LGBTQIA+ young adults. While our new board brings the strategic expertise to lead these programs, our donors remain the missing piece. Their support turns beds into safe havens, housing into healing, and programs into pathways forward.”

2026 Board Leadership

The incoming board reflects a shared commitment to lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep belief that affirming housing saves lives:

• John Walls (Board Chair): Founder & Head of Communications & Marketing at JWPR, LLC, and a senior communications executive with a distinguished career at Neiman Marcus Group and Hilton. John’s expertise in strategic storytelling and his history of advocacy with Dallas CASA and Team DC will guide DHC’s narrative as the organization expands the reach of its housing programs.
• Jesse Garcia (Vice Chair): An executive commercial real estate consultant at JLL and a faculty member at Texas Woman’s University, Jesse brings deep expertise in workplace strategy and change management, ensuring DHC’s organizational structure is optimized for long-term growth.
• Hector Prieto (Secretary): A civil engineer and alumnus of the Communities Foundation of Texas’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Cohort. Hector is dedicated to increasing community awareness to drive the capacity and impact of the Hope Center.
• Jason Reed (Treasurer): Continuing his leadership on the executive committee, Jason ensures the fiscal health and transparency necessary to maximize the impact of donor contributions across all housing initiatives.

“Stepping into the role of Chair during our 10th year of providing LGBTQIA affirming housing is a profound honor,” said incoming Board Chair John Walls. “For over a decade, Dallas Hope Charities has shown that housing isn’t just about providing a roof – it’s the foundation of safety, dignity, and possibility. In 2026, we’re focused on closing the gaps that still exist for our clients, expanding our services to help more youths in need. With the support of our community and donors, we know that we can help every young person who walks through our doors find a place to truly belong.”

For more information about DHC’s housing initiatives or to schedule an interview with CEO Tamika Perry or Board Chair John Walls, please contact Ciera Oates at 469-494-7884.

About Dallas Hope Charities

Founded in 2016, Dallas Hope Charities (DHC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary focus is providing housing and affirming services to LGBTQIA+ youth and individuals. Through the Dallas Hope Center—a transitional living facility for young adults ages 18-24—and our broader housing initiatives, such as Hope Street and Finally Home, DHC connects clients to essential resources that foster dignity, stability, and hope. Learn more at dallashopecharities.org.