Storytelling
Transition Resource Action Center
“No matter what you put into these organizations, you can’t give as much as you get back. The pride you have in what they’ve done—you can’t measure that.” - Steve Raab, Lead Partner
The Transition Resource Action Center, or TRAC, a nonprofit organization that helps young people transition from substitute care to independent living, was founded in 2003 by a collaboration of organizations determined to help at-risk youth succeed. Evy Kay Ritzen, the Executive Director for the organization, explains how it all started. While she was a facilitator for Kids in Court, she placed many kids in foster care, and saw a need for a better system. “One of the needs was to coordinate for kids who were aging out of the foster care system,” she says. “Then we found a transition center in San Antonio.” When the organization refused to open a location in Dallas, Evy Kay knew the need was too great. “They didn’t open one in Dallas, so we did,” she says. “TRAC was created by 40 organizations coming together, committed to working together for these children who ended up aging out.”
Collaboration truly has been TRAC’s strength, according to Steve Raab, a lead partner for the organization. While DSVP has shared experiences and ideas with TRAC, Steve says that TRAC has accomplished a lot because they are willing to work together. “The organization allows us to work with them to take advantage of our strengths,” he says. “It would not happen without their hard work.”
The appreciation goes both ways. “To have a group of extremely bright strategists and volunteers who were committed to TRAC’s success was a huge support system for me,” says Evy Kay about DSVP partners. “They’ve served as counselors, advisors, and volunteers.”
In addition to a support system, DSVP has been able to assist with the integration of TRAC into Central Dallas Ministries, an inner-city service organization that provides broad, basic needs to people in poverty. “CDM has legal aid clinics and after-school programs,” says Evy Kay. “TRAC is a microcosm of CDM but to a very small population, [one with] much the same profile. [A] turning point for us [was when] George Ellis and I sat down with CDM to discuss their relationship with TRAC and becoming more a part of that—integrating TRAC into CDM.”
Evy Kay admits that she had some trepidation about the collaboration with DSVP at first. “I was worried that DSVP members would want to come in and try to run things and wouldn’t have a real understanding of what we did,” she says. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised that they’ve been willing to inquire before they advocate. They’ve been willing to ask that what they’re doing is not being intrusive. That’s a unique skill among the DSVP members.”
The commitment of the partners to TRAC’s success is evident. “TRAC’s mission is to help kid’s transition,” says Steve. “I found it appealing to help their situations get better…in many ways, it is a preventative work.” Terri says that her previous experience with children and education helped her work with TRAC and kept her connected to her passions. “I didn’t have to go out of my comfort zone,” she says. Both Steve and Terri are amazed at how quickly TRAC has grown. “[TRAC] has grown enormously in money, people they support, and their organizational capacity,” says Steve. “When we first joined, they were under CDM, and they had a lot of work to do. Now they have a good budget, and they have a lot more clarity within the structure of the relationship they have with CDM. They’ve had a lot of growth.” Terri agrees. “TRAC was well run by an extremely capable director,” she says. “I was amazed at how far they went in just a few short years.”
For Evy Kay, DSVP has provided the opportunity to connect with others, to create successful collaboration between the organizations, and to provide a glimpse of outstanding character. “I’ve got a lot of experience in the philanthropic sector,” says Evy Kay. “I think it’s exciting to find people who are willing to give their time and talent…it is an incredible training ground for future philanthropists. It is a wonderful training ground.”
Terri has experienced the same connection with people. “I can’t believe how many people are trying so hard to help so many,” she says. “I’m in constant awe…the overall awareness of what people are doing is huge…success is watching children grow and change, hopefully positively.”
Steve is also acutely aware of the transformation involved with philanthropy. “No matter what you put into these organizations, you can’t give as much as you get back,” he says. “The pride you have in what they’ve done—you can’t measure that.”
Steve and Terri say they’d like the community to know that DSVP is an organization that is performing an important service for those in need. “I’d like them to know that we are there and what we do, the kind of impact we are having, and the partnerships with the organizations we support,” says Steve. “I’ve come to the conclusion that we can change the community one kid at a time.” Terri wants the community to know, too, about the financial stewardship at DSVP. “I’d love [the community] to know how much bang for the buck they’re getting,” she says. “Together [DSVP] has changed 13 organizations. That’s huge. They’re effective, efficient, and good stewards of money and time.”
If Evy Kay could change one thing about DSVP, she’d tighten up the focus of the organization. “Early on, [DSVP] focused on a couple of areas of impact,” she says. “The nonprofit sector is huge. I think they’re far better served to try to choose areas where they’ve like to have a particular impact where they can actually see the power of their work. Be a big fish in a small pond.”
