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“Anthony is kind and loving,” his grandmother, Felicia, says. He loves spending time with his family, fishing, playing sports, and video games. But in first grade, Felicia and his teachers began to notice that Anthony was struggling in school. “He was struggling and not able to focus or sit for long periods of time to learn,” she shared. Anthony had already received speech therapy and some school-based support, but his challenges continued. His grades were falling, and he str

Paul Ray III, President of the Board of Directors, 2026-2028 I am deeply honored to serve as President of the Board of Directors for Gill Children’s Services. During my nearly 10 years of service on the board, I have had the privilege of witnessing countless children receive resources that have truly changed the course of their lives. Yet my connection to Gill began long before I ever joined the board. In many ways, it began with my grandmother, Ginny Richards. As a child, I

Peyton Lehrer, Executive Director Gill Children’s Services is a litmus test for the effectiveness of our social services. When children are consistently referred to us as a last resort, we can identify persistent gaps in the local resource network. These are some pitfalls we have observed in the last decade. Dental Surgery While there are many local clinics that offer preventive care at an affordable rate, there are no resources for children who need extensive treatment perfo

Frank Stewart, 1950 - 2026 Frank Stewart will be remembered as one of the most dedicated parents Gill Children’s Services has had the pleasure of serving. “Our dad was relentless about making sure we had every opportunity possible,” his twin daughters Whitney and Brittney reflected. “From the time we were young, he was always looking for programs, resources, and experiences that could open doors for us, and then pushing us to make the most of them.” In 2001, Frank’s daughters

Gill Children’s Services welcomes Mr. Jeffrey Bartolotta, Mr. John Peloza, Ms. Anne Wright, and Ms. Lorena Vargas to the Board of Directors. Jeffrey Bartolotta serves as the Principal of Kirkpatrick Middle School. He has helped launch student enrichment programs such as the Northside Eats food pantry stocked by the Tarrant Area Food Bank. He has served Fort Worth ISD for 29 years. Jeff also assisted in setting up Montessori classrooms in Santiago, Chile. John Peloza serve

The following outcomes achieved for the program year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 were achieved in partnership with donors, referring agencies, service providers, and families. Gill allocated $864,517.37 to provide 1,617 critical services benefiting 1,097 children in Tarrant County. Over the past five years, demand for our services has significantly increased, with a 60% rise in financial aid allocation since 2021. Tarrant County's rapid population growth, inflationary pre

Alejandro is an aspiring mechanic who lives in Arlington with his parents and three siblings. A naturally outgoing teen, he loves playing the guitar and spending time with friends. Alejandro is very sociable,” his mother shared with a smile. He was also an active member of the track team at Sam Houston High School, where he enjoyed pushing himself and being part of a team. Last fall, Alejandro began experiencing a painful pilonidal cyst that steadily worsened. His mother did

In recognition of its many contributions to promoting children’s health and well-being in Tarrant County, Cook Children’s Center for Community Health presented Gill Children's Services with the Amy Johnson Healthcare Hero Award. This award acknowledges community collaborators who: Ottis Goodwin, Cook Children's Center for Community Health, presents Alice Espinoza and Peyton Lehrer with Amy Johnson Healthcare Hero Award. Demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and/or str

Riley is a born leader with a knack for solving problems and a quick sense of humor that lights up the room. She loves getting lost in a good book or exploring vivid worlds through her favorite anime. Now a high school sophomore, Riley stays busy with a packed schedule of activities. She cheers on the JV squad, sings in the choir, plays flag football, and gives back through Key Club. With her drive and determination, she’s well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a

The following outcomes achieved for the program year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 were achieved in partnership with donors, referring agencies, service providers, and families. Gill allocated $770,152 to provide 1,587 critical services benefiting 1,046 children in Tarrant County. Over the past five years, demand for our services has significantly increased, with a 75% rise in financial aid allocation since 2020. Tarrant County's rapid population growth, inflationary pressu

Gill Children’s Services welcomes Mr. Miles Bratton, Ms. Madeline D’Alise, Mr. Zac Farrar, and Dr. Danny Rafati to the Board of Directors. Miles Bratton is a Director at Crestline Investors. Bratton is also a member of the Fort Worth Country Day Alumni Council and the Cliburn 180 Advisory Council. As a Fort Worth native, he is passionate about local children’s access to education and success. Madeline D’Alise is an attorney with McDonald Sanders, P.C. D’Alise volunteers w

Eight-year-old Aranza is a bright, cheerful child with a love for dancing, playing at the park, and coloring. She enjoys learning math and science at Cesar Chavez Elementary, and her friendly nature makes her a joy to be around. Her mother, Noelia, is proud of how social and kind Aranza is. Two years ago, a family gathering turned tragic when Aranza’s cousin, while playing with a BB gun, accidentally shot a stray bullet that struck Aranza in her left eye. She cried briefly bu

Dream is six years old and lives in Fort Worth. She is diagnosed with Rhett’s Syndrome and faces daily challenges that affect her ability to walk, talk, and use her hands. Dream had been selected by local organization, A Wish with Wings, to have a special wish granted. Her wish was to have a home that could accommodate her physical ability and her in-home therapies. She had been having therapies in a space no larger than a closet, so A Wish With Wings arranged contractors,

Alice Espinoza has been a faithful steward of Gill Children’s Services’ mission for 25 years. She began work as a Case Manager in 2000, processing children’s requests to fund dental treatment. Having worked for a local dentist for nine years prior to joining Gill, Alice was well suited to respond to the growing requests to fund emergency dental treatment. Alice continues to serve in this vital role today. The children whom she serves are often in crisis, experiencing extreme

Six-year-old Luisa is a quiet, hardworking student who loves learning. But for as long as her family can remember, something wasn't quite right with her thumb. She had never injured it, yet moving it was often uncomfortable. When Luisa was seen at the UNT Mobile Health Clinic, the medical team recommended she see a pediatric orthopedic specialist. For her family, who did not have health insurance, that recommendation brought both answers and new worries. "At first, we didn't

When Azharia steps onto the basketball court, she plays with heart. A talented athlete from a young age, she earned a spot on the varsity basketball team at Bowie High School as a freshman—a remarkable achievement that reflected years of dedication and hard work. But behind every game was a challenge few people could see. For years, Azharia struggled with recurring knee dislocations. Her mother even paid out of pocket for an orthopedic consultation, but together they decided

Gill Children’s Services welcomes Ms. Tyler Crumley, Ms. Susan Rutledge Mitchell, and Ms. Blair Walker to the Board of Directors. Tyler Crumley has been involved in Fort Worth since moving in 2008. She helped launch Fort Worth Country Day’s Junior Kindergarten program as well as Lightening Bugs Learning – a micro school serving young learners integrating literacy and the arts. Susan Rutledge Mitchell was born and raised in Fort Worth and has deep roots here. Susan is a CP

The following programs may be able to assist Tarrant County residents with rent and utilities. Organization Items Eligibility Arlington Housing Authority 501 W. Sanford St. Ste. 20 Arlington, TX 76011 817-276-6713 Rent assistance after notice to vacate or eviction notice -Arlington residents -Income must be 30% below area median income Arlington Urban Ministries 915 W Mitchell St Arlington, TX 76011 817-861-8585 Rent assistance after notice to vacate or eviction notice -Arlin

Parents who are seeking items and services for their infant should contact the following programs for help. Organization Items Eligibility Notes Broadway Baptist Church 305 W. Broadway Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104 817-336-5761 Diapers -Newborn through two years of age -Parents must provide valid photo ID and one of the following: child’s birth certificate, WIC, CHIP, or Medicaid card Pick up on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00am-11:45am Children and Family Institute 6850 Manha

Parents who are seeking help with diapers and wipes should contact the following programs for help. Program Qualifications Access Broadway Baptist 305 W. Broadway Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104 817-336-5761 Newborn - 2 years Parent photo ID Child ID (birth certificate, WIC, CHIP, or Medicaid) Pick up on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday 9:00AM to 11:45AM. Children & Family Institute 6850 Manhattan Blvd Ste 310, Fort Worth, TX 76120 817-920-1836 Newborn - 3 years and expectant parents P