Founder & Board

Founder/President - CEO

Thana Hickman

Today, Viola’s House, nestled in the heart of South Dallas, operates from a beautiful historic home that can accommodate up to 7 mothers and their babies. The facility is staffed around the clock, with licensed counselors, mentors, and educators working collaboratively to ensure the growth and success of its residents. Thana recognized that there were still unmet needs within the community, and in 2022, she established the Viola’s House Baby Benefit Boutique (BBB) to expand their services. In 2023, Viola’s House distributed over 6 millions diapers becoming the largest diaper distributor in Dallas County.

Thana Hickman-Simmons’ greatest fulfillment comes from serving homeless teen mothers as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Her story is a testament to the power of determination, community support, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every young mother to succeed. Under her leadership, Viola’s House continues to make a profound impact on the lives of those it serves, providing hope, stability, and a brighter future.

Thana’s dedication has been honored with several awards, including:

Women Helping Women Maura Award from the Texas Women’s Foundation
Life Saver Award from the Texas Pregnancy Care Network
Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Award from D-Magazine for Organization Of The Year.
Outstanding Businesswoman Of The Year IOTA PHI Lambda Sorority, INC Epsilon TAU Chapter
Honorable Mention for the Juanita Craft Humanitarian Award
Outstanding Community Service Award from Pearls of The Ivy Foundation AKA Sorority, INC. Upsilon Lambda Omega Chapter
Miriam Award presented by the Genesis Women’s Shelter for Community Advocacy

Thana and Viola’s House have been featured in numerous media outlets, including:

Good Morning Texas
Texas Metro News
DCEO Magazine
ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and FOX 4 News, highlighting their impactful work and inspiring journey.

Thana Hickman’s journey began in the vibrant neighborhoods of South Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 17, Thana was faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the unexpected responsibilities of motherhood, she pursued higher education and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration thanks to the unwavering support of her parents, sisters, and her godmother, Ms. Viola.

Her journey continued as she navigated the challenges of raising three daughters. Through it all, Thana’s heart was drawn to a greater purpose. She realized the blessing of having a support system that not all young mothers had. This realization led to the inception of Viola’s House (named after her godmother) in 2008, initially conceived as amentoring program to assist teen mothers in pursuing education and successful careers while caring for their children.

Viola’s House Board Members

Get to know amazing individuals who make our organization possible. From our dedicated staff to our passionate board members, we are all committed to our mission and making a positive in our community.

Elaine DiBartolo

Bloom Pregnancy Help Center

Krisi Kastl

Kastl Law

Aaron Davis

Moderna Therapeutics

Pat Montes

Montes Law PLLC

Sharon Lakes

Conduent, Inc.

Chuck Rocha

Solidarity Strategies

Tasha Cox

Dallas Mavericks

Mar Howard

Comerica Bank

Daniel Beard

First United Bank

Brandon Murden

Equiscript Corporation and City of Mesquite CIty Councilman

ABOUT US

Formed in 2008 as a “Maternity Home” to provide temporary housing and support services to expectant teenage mothers aged 18-24 in the Dallas area. Viola’s House utilizes an impactful approach to help teen expectant mothers make enduring, positive changes in their lives. The Program provides the basic life necessities of housing, food, and clothing, in addition to life skills, education, and training in financial literacy, parenting, and counseling. Viola’s House takes a preventative approach and provides a comprehensive second chance prevention program.

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