Avery finds connection and opportunity after foster care an homelessness
For most of his life, change has been the only consistent part about Avery’s housing situation.
Before landing at Dallas Hope Charities, Avery lived in a Longview homeless shelter, three foster homes, an abandoned apartment, hotel rooms and the streets of Houston, Texas.
When he was younger, Avery lived with his grandmother but she passed away when he was 13 years old. Two months later, his house burned down and CPS deemed his grandfather as an unfit caretaker due to his dementia and medical needs for cancer treatment.
“[ Being homeless ] made me realize a lot of things. It made me a lot more grateful for what I have especially since I’m here now.”
Issues with the last foster family began when Avery’s foster parents called for a house meeting about chores, which escalated into an argument about Avery’s attitude. The foster mom told him that if he didn’t like their family then he could leave.
“I had a really, really, really bad fight with my foster mom – verbal for me, but she ended up pulling my hair, which hurt really bad,” Avery said. “And then after that, I was like, you know what? F this crap, I’m just gonna get my stuff and leave. Which I actually did. I had no idea where I was going but I left anyways.”
Avery’s foster mom called the cops and they stopped Avery to ask if he hit her. When Avery said no, that the foster mom had hit him, the cops instructed Avery to stay away from the house that night but return in the morning. A friend of Avery’s got him a hotel for the night.
“[The next morning] I got picked up by [my} foster mom, went back to the house, and then I was looking for somewhere to go because I just did not want to be there,” Avery said. “Even though she said she would still keep me and I was like, I don’t care. I’m still going to leave.”
After a few days back in the foster home, Avery had found a friend of a friend to live with.
“I got all my stuff, packed it up, put it in my foster mom’s car and we went to his apartment,” Avery said. “As soon as I get there, he- I go into where he lives and it was literally an abandoned apartment. And I was like. OK, can’t go back now so I still stayed because I didn’t want to make him feel bad.”
The two stayed together for less than a month until Avery made a joke that didn’t land well and Avery had to leave. Then Avery stayed with other people he met through a friend but he immediately picked up on the transphobia.
“I never told them that I was bi or when I identified as trans,” Avery said. “And then they kicked me out. I stayed on the streets that night, and then I woke up and then I went to the McDonald’s I was nearby. And then my caseworker- CPS caseworker got me a bus ticket to get to Longview.”
The Longview shelter was clearly intolerant of LGBTQIA+ folks so Avery wanted to leave.
“Everybody would keep on asking if I was gay or if I was bi,” Avery said. “And I’m like, it’s not your business because you’re just going to make fun of me anyways. And then it was just like, really, really stressful because… an older man, he was fetishizing me and just saying really bad stuff to me.”
The staff didn’t seem to prioritize Avery’s well-being nor care about how he was treated there. Another queer person at the shelter told Avery about Dallas Hope Charities.
“As soon as I hit the website I had a really good feeling about it and I just instantly signed up.”
Avery took a train and two Ubers to get from Longview to Dallas. Once in the Hope Center, Avery was able to connect with other residents and settle into his new home.
“I feel like I’ve become a bit more positive person,” Avery said. “My mental health has been a little bit better. I’m a lot more Social than I have been.”
Avery enjoys the therapy and the service meeting resources at DHC. He is looking forward to getting more testosterone, finding a job, applying to college and getting his driver’s license and a car.
“I want to go to the same college as my boyfriend but he wants to go to Baylor and that’s a very bad idea for him,” Avery said. “I heard it’s a very homophobic school and he’s gay and I just don’t want to see him hurt.”
Avery would like to live in a dorm or rental house with roommates after his time at DHC. He’s interested in attending a public university to study choir, theater, or marketing. Avery also enjoys drawing and is currently building a portfolio to sell his artwork.
“When I became homeless it just became hard for me to ground myself to do it,” Avery said. “So there’s some things I need to work on but other than that, I’m really grateful that I’m going to a place like this.”
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Sarah Dressel is a dedicated Resident Coordinator at Dallas Hope Charities, where she provides vital support to LGBTQIA+ youth navigating transitional housing. A proud Psychology major at the University of North Texas and a member of the Class of 2025, Sarah’s passion for mental health and advocacy is at the heart of her work.
Sarah’s journey with Dallas Hope Charities began in March 2024 as a social work intern, where she quickly made a meaningful impact through her compassionate approach and commitment to empowering residents. In August 2024, she officially joined the team as Resident Coordinator, stepping into a pivotal role in fostering a safe and affirming environment for the organization’s youth.
When she’s not making a difference at DHC, Sarah enjoys indulging in her love of cats, coffee, and chocolate—simple joys that keep her grounded and energized. Her dedication to her studies and her role at DHC reflects her unwavering commitment to helping others build stable, hopeful futures.
Rex Cumming
Board of Directors, Board Chair
Before being asked to serve as the Board Chairman, Rex had been a member of Dallas Hope Charities’ board since April 2021. A recurring investor in media and emerging technologies, Rex seems to prefer working behind the scenes. He has consistently poured his resources into companies, individuals, charitable organizations, and civic causes alike out of his love for the city of Dallas and heart for serving the community.
He envisions the role of board chair as primarily a supportive one. Rex sees Dallas Hope Charities’ CEO, Tamika Perry, as a strong leader and looks forward to working closely with her on expanding the transitional housing program and various programmatic partnerships.
Addressing the recent renovation of the Hope Center—DHC’s transitional living center—Rex stated “the hope is we’ve renovated a place where our participants can really get a firm footing, get involved in the programs that we offer, and have a great launching pad for their lives.
Rex knows firsthand the impact that a safe, affirming house can provide. For over 20 years he and his partner Chris personally opened their home to folks in need of a place. Through word of mouth and referrals, Rex and Chris provided housing and mentorship while the individuals went through school, securing a profession, or simply stabilizing their life. Reflecting on it, Rex’s smile continues to grow, and you can sense the support and affection he must have for these friends, mentees and in some cases, chosen family.
When asked why he freely gives so much of his time and energy, Rex puts it simply: “I care about the impact we can make in a life and our city by what we do.” While Rex shares that his family was supportive when he came out as gay, there were still identity struggles to contend with, so his care runs deep in lived experience. “I care about the fact that some of our LGBTQ+ community is suffering. I’ve been there. It’s very difficult to know that we have human beings that are struggling with the kinds of things they are, and you really want the best for them, quickly. Sometimes it takes longer than expected so we must have patience.”
When Rex and his partner Chris find downtime, they enjoy family, travel, gathering with friends, attending artistic events, and eating out at locally owned restaurants. Naturally, everything comes back to community.
John Walls
Board of Directors
John Walls is a highly accomplished senior communications executive with a distinguished career in corporate and brand public relations. Based in Dallas, TX, John has excelled in the public and private sectors, driving strategic communications plans that directly support business objectives. With expertise in various areas such as communications strategy, brand management, crisis communications, and thought leadership strategy, he has consistently delivered exceptional results.
Currently, John serves as Principal and Chief Communications Strategist at JWPR, LLC (www.jwpr.co), where he provides strategic communications counsel to corporate, start-up, and non-profit clients across industries such as retail, technology, travel and hospitality, and ophthalmic optics and visual health. He immerses himself in clients’ businesses to provide tailored communications solutions and collaborates effectively with internal teams, external partners, and vendors to execute comprehensive strategies. His expertise lies in leadership profile development, strategic media relations, and communications and content strategy.
Before his current role, John was Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Content Strategy at Neiman Marcus Group. In this role, he oversaw integrated corporate, crisis, brand, and internal communications, strengthening corporate and brand equity for the organization and its luxury retail brands. He successfully positioned Neiman Marcus Group as an innovative and digital organization, promoting key initiatives and managing milestone events. John also provided ongoing media training to executives, conducted ongoing risk assessments for the organization, and directed corporate thought leadership efforts.
Before joining Neiman Marcus Group, John was Hilton’s Director of Brand Public Relations, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands. In this role, he led all media relations efforts for Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, driving global luxury traveler preference and consideration. He oversaw brand experience programs and successfully launched Canopy by Hilton, positioning Hilton as a transformative organization in the lifestyle hotel segment. John also played a key role in the launch of LXR Hotels & Resorts and managed multi-million-dollar budgets supporting the brands.
John’s professional journey also includes significant contributions at Hampton by Hilton, Cohn & Wolfe, Match.com, Golin Inc., and Paige Hendricks Public Relations Inc. He holds a Master of Professional Studies in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Advertising from Texas Christian University.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, John Walls is deeply committed to volunteerism and community engagement. He has dedicated his time and expertise to various organizations, including and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community, making a positive impact on important causes. As an Advocate at Dallas CASA for two years, he worked tirelessly to support and advocate for children in the foster care system, working directly on cases and ensuring that the children’s voices and needs were heard and met. John also served as a Board Member at Fashion Group International, Inc., for a two-year term, where he contributed his strategic insights and industry knowledge to promote the growth and development of the fashion industry. At Team DC, a charitable organization established to educate the LGBTQ+ community on the benefits of individual and team sports participation, he sat on the Board and held the role of Development Chair for a two-year term. Additionally, John was an active member of the Event Planning Committee at Black Tie Dinner, Inc., contributing to the organization’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for human rights causes. His volunteerism highlights his dedication to making a difference in the community and supporting organizations that strive for positive change.
John has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including three coveted NMG Best Awards, Georgetown University’s “Hoya Professional 30” recognition, and the Hilton Circle of Excellence Corporate PR Director of the Year accolade. With his extensive expertise in communications strategy, team development, and professional storytelling, John continues to significantly impact the field of communications, driving successful initiatives that support business growth and enhance brand reputation.
Roscoe Compton-Kelly
Board of Directors
Roscoe Compton-Kelly has served as a Board Member of Dallas Hope Charities since 2018, in roles as board chair and board member. He is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth and providing resources, specifically for the LGBTQIA+ homeless population. Roscoe also supports the efforts of Dallas Hope Charities and many other LGBTQIA+ nonprofits as his alter ego, Shantae Morgan. As Shantae, Roscoe has raised thousands of dollars for local North Texas LGBTQIA+ organizations over the last 7 years.
In his formal day role, Roscoe Compton-Kelly serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Education Opens Doors, leading strategic partnership efforts and donor relations for both earned and philanthropic efforts. In his role as CEO, he leads the cultivation, relationship management and strategy around EOD partners and donors.
A Texas native Compton-Kelly, and his husband Brian, an educator in the Dallas area, are actively involved in the Dallas community. Roscoe not only serves on the board of Dallas Hope Charities, but is also a Board Member for LGBT Outdoors, and a singing board member of the world-renowned Turtle Creek Chorale.
Brandon Poland
Board of Directors
Brandon Poland (he, him) has been providing marketing and business development in the behavioral health field for the past six years with a focus on mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Prior to that, he worked for the State of Texas for many years in criminal justice and investigations. His mission has always been to be a safe and sane person for people who are seeking help. Brandon strives to be part of the light at the end of the tunnel for those that he works with, both professionally and personally. Brandon has also had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Dallas Hope Charities since 2021, which provides transitional living and empowerment services to LGTBQ+ young adults facing homelessness.
Heather Bonfield
Board of Directors, Vice Chair
Heather Bonfield is an accomplished Executive Coach who is passionate about her clients’ successes in the workplace. Seeing the growth of her clients as they discover more about themselves and what they want from their careers fuels her enthusiasm for coaching and training. Heather’s experience as an executive in Fortune 150 companies as well as an entrepreneur with numerous ventures gives her a unique perspective on what questions to ask to help clients tap into their potential while co-creating positive change.
Heather holds a BBA in Finance from the Texas McCombs School of Business as well as an Organizational Improvement Certificate from the Human Dimensions of Organizations department of The College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. Heather has a fervor for
philanthropic work including fundraising, volunteering, and board service. She has served on numerous boards including The Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Hope Charities, The Texas Exes, and many more.
Heather is a graduate of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute, the ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute, and Leadership Dallas, the Dallas region’s premier leadership program. Heather is a member of the International Coaching Federation’s Global and North Texas chapters.
Visit www.beyourbestatwork.net to learn more about Heather and her work.
Lisa Stewart
Lisa Stewart retired as the Director of Outreach at Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) in December 2021 after taking this position in July 2011, Lisa also worked as a program coordinator in the Youth Ministry at HPUMC for 4 years.
Lisa has a BA in Religious Education and a BA in Psychology from Centenary College of Louisiana. She has an MS in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She
has previously worked at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston and Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
Before coming to joining the HPUMC staff in May 2007, Lisa was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. During that time Lisa was active as a volunteer at HPUMC and in the community as well as in her daughters’ schools. Lisa has served on the Board of Directors at CitySquare and Dallas Hope Charities.
As a person of faith, Lisa believes that local faith communities should work to fight poverty and promote justice. She hopes by her serving with Dallas Hope Charities that she can bring more faith-based organizations to support Dallas Hope Charities and work to repair some of the harm that has been done by some faith communities to the LGBTQIA+ community. All people are children of God and should feel the love of God expressed through communities of faith.
In her role at HPUMC, Tamika Perry was Lisa’s colleague. Lisa believes Tamika is the right person to lead Dallas Hope Charities and hopes to support her in her work by
serving on the Board.
She is married to Ken and together they have three daughters and two adorable grandchildren. They enjoy travel and family time at the lake.
Jordan Rodriguez Torres joined the Dallas Hope Charities team in the summer of 2023 to become more involved with the LGBTQIA+ community. They have a passion for helping others and have been able to assist with a variety of individuals including special education programs in school districts, caregiving for geriatrics in assisted living facilities, foster care, and The Department of Family and Protective Services.
Jordan has a background in behavior management and received a BS in Applied Behavioural Analysis from Purdue Global. Their partner has experienced homelessness in the past, thus Jordan has a drive to assist those in the LGBTQIA+ community so that the impact of homelessness can have a lessened effect on them. They are committed to serving Dallas Hope Charities housing program by helping it grow and thrive amidst this political climate.
Jordan was born an Airforce Brat, as others would call it, in England and have lived in several states in North America before settling in Texas. When they are not growing DHC’s housing program, you can find them playing Magic: The Gathering at their favorite game stores, or at home with their partners and dogs, playing video games, board games, or watching anime.
Dallas Hope Charities
