Leadership Montgomery County's Class of 2024 partners with Hope's Bridge to empower teens in foster care

THE WOODLANDS, TX — Leadership Montgomery County's (LMC) Class of 2024 is excited to announce a collaboration with local non-profit Hope's Bridge. Together, the two organizations are collaborating on a project to construct a Teen Resource Center and Salon at the existing Hope's Bridge facility in Conroe, catering to the unique needs of local teenagers currently in foster care across Montgomery County.

Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to prepare emerging and existing leaders to understand local issues, grow their leadership skills, and connect with others to better serve Montgomery County. Hope's Bridge Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose goal is to provide needed resources for foster, kinship, and adoptive children and families.

The total project encompasses two vital components aimed at addressing needs within the foster care community. First, there remains a significant gap in providing a diverse and comprehensive selection of clothing for teenagers. According to the June 2023 report from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), teenagers constitute 24% of the 17,983 children in foster care in Texas. In Montgomery County alone, it is estimated that more than 600 teenagers lack a dedicated resource center to meet their clothing needs. The newly designed Hope's Bridge Conroe location will feature a specially designed area to address this gap, ensuring that every teen in foster care has access to essential clothing items.

Second, the project addresses the challenge faced by foster families in our community in caring for diverse hair types. Recognizing the beauty of Montgomery County's diverse families, the initiative includes the establishment of a salon within the Teen Resource Center. This space will feature two salon chairs and sinks, providing a platform for fostering families to receive haircuts and training on hair care for diverse hair types. Hope's Bridge will host salon days four times a month, welcoming foster families to access these services and learn essential hair care techniques.

"We are excited about this partnership with Leadership Montgomery County's Class of 2024. Together, we are not only addressing tangible needs but also creating a space that nurtures the well-being and self-esteem of teenagers in foster care," said Julie Davis, Executive Director of Hope's Bridge.

The project is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2024.

To make this initiative a success, Leadership Montgomery County's Class of 2024 is calling on the community to contribute in two key ways. First, individuals can purchase clothing to donate. Or, individuals may also donate new or gently worn teen clothing at various drop-off locations across Montgomery County. Where possible, donations of name brand clothing would elevate the sense of fitting in for the teens. This clothing drive aims to ensure that the Teen Resource Center is well-stocked with a variety of clothing options for teenagers in foster care. For drop off location information, please contact Daniel Wright at Daniel.wright@truist.com.

“As advocates and leaders in our community, the LMC Class of 2024 is honored to contribute to this impactful project. We believe that by addressing these gaps, we can create a more supportive environment for all families in Montgomery County,” said Jennifer Millington, Project Lead for LMC Class of 2024.

Additionally, the LMC Class of 2024 is requesting donations of salon chairs, ethnic hair products, hair accessories, and hot tools. These contributions will play a crucial role in creating a fully equipped salon within the Teen Resource Center, providing foster families with the necessary tools for hair care training. Individuals may donate salon tools for the project.