STEPHENS COUNTY
DUNCAN - Beginning in 1998 as an afterschool outreach program for a dozen latchkey
LEFT: Gabriel’s House Executive Director Dallas Gibbs, Founder Bonnie Talley and Assistant Director Shawn Simms showcase one of the many donated art pieces to be featured at the 11th Annual Art Auction and Dinner to benefit Gabriel’s House this Thursday. kids, Gabriel’s House has since progressed to help countless Duncan students.
For more than 20 years, many elementary-age students have participated in the Christian-based outreach. With positive interaction, staff members and volunteers create “a warm, loving environment, where each child is valued and respected.”
VARIETY OF SCENARIOS
Each school day, Gabriel’s House welcomes children from a variety of homes; single-parent, extended-family, adoptive, foster-to-adopt, as well as children who are on the spectrum.
The children are greeted with high fives, hugs, and smiles before enjoying an afternoon snack. They then finish up any homework assignments or get additional help from volunteers.
Afterwards, they do physical activities such as Zumba, yoga and karate and have enrichment classes where students learn American Sign Language, nutrition and cooking, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), weekly Scouts lessons, and JAM (Jesus and Me). Finally, the children enjoy a healthy dinner before going home.
While it is a Christian-based organization, “Gabriel’s House does not endorse or teach any denominational doctrine or belief. The staff and volunteers emphasize Christian values and character assets, stressing respect for others, healthy self-esteem and good social skills.”
Countless success stories could be revealed throughout the program’s 22-year history. Some of the more recent kids’ parents also attended Gabriel’s House when they were younger. And many adults who were shy, young kindergartners in the program have come back to volunteer.
“It’s great to see our alumni help,” said founder Bonnie Talley. “Volunteers are a real asset and we hope to see more in the future.”
Talley explained that the growing number of latchkey kids weighed heavy on her heart and it was her calling to help.
She opened the first Gabriel’s House across from Duncan’s Lee Elementary. Sponsored by local churches, the program soon grew to meet the needs for three other elementary schools in Duncan. But maintaining the homes proved to be quite expensive. In 2016, all Duncan Gabriel’s House’s operations were consolidated to its current location, 212 N. 9th Street.
ENROLLMENT NUMBERS
GROW
To put the program’s reach in perspective, 17,290 dinners were served to children at Gabriel’s House during the 2018-19 schoolyear. The same number of snacks were also distributed. While the program helped a lot of students last year, enrollment numbers continues to grow.
“We have almost quadrupled enrollment over the past four years,” said Executive Director Dallas Gibbs. “In August of 2016, we had about 45 kids in Duncan enroll in the program. We will have open enrollment in the fall, and with the addition of the Comanche facility, we are looking to enroll close to 165 kids.”
Sharing its location with Duncan’s Central Enrollment office and the Duncan Public School Foundation, the program’s enrollment numbers indicate that it has outgrown its five classrooms, kitchen and dining area. The program is looking at ways to build a 25,000-square-foot facility which will accommodate the growing number of children.
“We do not get state or federal funding,” explains Gibbs. “We are a United Way agency who is also supported by our community. We owe them all a lot of gratitude.”
Gabriel’s House hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Its 11th Annual Art Auction and Dinner will be held at the Duncan’s Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Thursday, June 20th , from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.