TREE Leadership: Spearheading change in Dallas' low-income communities

Dallas, Texas - Despite notable technological advancements, many communities still struggle with poverty. Research has shown a strong link between education deficits and poverty, which often results in health issues and, occasionally, criminal activity.

Recent data from Buckner International, a nonprofit focusing on the underprivileged, reveals that Dallas has the highest number of individuals living 185% below the poverty threshold in the US, second only to Philadelphia in terms of those living at the poverty line. This means that 38% of Dallas's children are living in poverty, with 28% suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

In response, TREE Leadership, founded in September 2022 by Mar Butler, a motivational speaker and leadership coach, aims to alleviate these problems and empower individuals to overcome adversity. Butler's organization implements a two-tier program to counter harmful behaviors often resulting from poverty, instilling resilience in those affected, according to Dallas Metro News.

“TREE Leadership provides practical solutions to adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 to reduce the risks of crime, poverty and recidivism that reside in low socioeconomic areas of Dallas,” Butler stated.

Butler explained that TREE—Truth, Restore, Empower, and Evolve—focuses on instilling integrity, healing, and inclusivity, particularly among those aged 12 to 25 in underserved areas. The organization offers credible programs, in cooperation with other organizations and community leaders, aiming to redirect youths away from a trajectory towards crime and poverty.

Butler shared that the organization's program works in partnership with entities dedicated to helping students achieve their aspirations. Their efforts involve community engagement, coordination with local education systems, and data-driven strategies that resonate with children in critical developmental stages. Furthermore, the program offers comprehensive resources for family members to provide support and alternatives to their previously challenging circumstances.

One such initiative, 'The Coming of Age Kit', targets young individuals aged 12 to 25, primarily from single-parent families or disadvantaged communities. It covers vital life skills areas like self-perception, self-expression, conflict management, forward-thinking, planning, and financial literacy.

Discussing the program's objective, Butler highlighted the need to interrupt the path leading individuals towards potential danger. He emphasized TREE Leadership's efforts to conduct pre and post-surveys to understand their clients better.

According to Butler, their target population includes children of incarcerated parents, individuals on government assistance, and those with some criminal background residing in low-income households. These individuals, who are at high risk of entering the school-to-prison pipeline, are at the core of TREE Leadership's outreach efforts

Butler also stressed that the organization's focus extends to the students' families. “We have what we call a social working piece, which is we do a needs assessment,” he added. “And then we do a success strategy component within the program. What we’re doing is reaching out to them because none of our programs are less than six weeks, none of them. Because we want to build a relationship and really retain them. So while we’re doing that, it provides us enough time to actually do what needs assessment and success strategy, to where now we know from the information that has been provided, we know exactly not just what they need, but what their family members need, right.”

“And so we’re able to pair that with our community partners who are able to do their social work and provide the therapy, provide the counseling or whatever resources that they may need, clothing, transportation, workforce development job, I mean, we name it. So we have a plethora of resources that can help us to provide wraparound support, not just for the participants, but for their family members as well within the household. Because our whole overall objective is to build a sustainable relationship as these participants began to progress later on in life for the better.”

Celebrating its first anniversary this fall, TREE Leadership has already assisted over 100 individuals. “We are looking to serve more as we begin our summer project on July 1,” Butler announced. The organization’s work continues to impact Dallas's vulnerable communities positively, serving as a beacon of hope amid systemic hardship.