Grace Mentors |
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It's our hope that students feel encouraged, loved, wanted, and understood by our team. Grace mentors are women who have walked through all kinds of seasons. Through their faith in Jesus, their lives have been renewed, refined, and made even more beautiful.
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Cona Alexander . Daughters FounderProfessionally, Cona is an architect. She specializes in designing custom homes and equestrian properties. On any given day she can be found cleaning up piles of LEGOs, playing in the dirt of her gardens, or working on a myriad of creative projects around the house while her older two children of four, come and go with their neighborhood friends.
The life she is blessed to live today stands in contrast to some of the challenges she grew up with. Aside from divine intervention, it's hard to understand how she lives a life so full of blessing today. She believes God reached into her darkness, the pain and confusion of her younger years, and corrected her course gently and beautifully over time. "God reached out to me through my love of horses when I was a young girl. There's no way I could have given the gift of riding to myself back then. It's the most expensive sport and we could not afford it, but God provided a way. Those years I spent riding made a huge impact on my life for good. My hope with the Daughters program is to extend that gift to those who would be blessed by it, and to help our students know the love of our Father in heaven. What we do together is so much more than riding, it's giving hope, joy, laughter, confidence, and knowing that you're loved and valued by God no matter what you've experienced. And knowing that He will redeem us, working all of our challenges for good in His perfect time. " |
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Gretchen Foley . Grace Mentor VolunteerGretchen Foley is the mother of three daughters, the youngest of whom just left for college. She and her husband of twenty six years, Brian, are now learning how to be empty nesters. Raised in a Christian home, she trusted Jesus as her savior at an early age. Over the years she has been constantly amazed at how the Lord continues to reveal Himself and aspects of His character in tender ways, just when she needs them.
Her knowledge of horses comes through her middle daughter, who has been riding competitively for years. She has learned through osmosis, lending an occasional hand to help Blake tack up and care for her horse during lessons or competitions. A former elementary school teacher, she stayed home to raise her daughters. Recently Gretchen started a small home staging business. |
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Amanda Herndon . Grace Mentor VolunteerAmanda is an office administrator at Urban Structure, Inc. She is a proud mama to three wonderful children. God has delivered Amanda from complex trauma and walked closely beside her on her own healing journey. It is her prayer that she can love others in the manner that God has loved her. Her heart is to teach women and girls about the unending love of God as well as the gift of their identity in Jesus.
Riding horses and creating art have been a healing experience for her and her prayer is to walk alongside young women on their own healing journey. |
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Mary Anne Hunn . Grace Mentor VolunteerMary Anne is an Occupational Therapist. She has worked in mental health, pediatrics, and currently she works with the geriatric population. She has been passionate about helping people cope with challenges, and adjust and restore function.
Though growing up facing challenges, Mary Anne experienced Jesus's healing hands. His grace and love are a testimony to how she has overcome difficulties. It's something she hopes every young person can learn from. |
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Lauren McDonald . Grace Mentor VolunteerOriginally from Canada, Lauren moved to Dallas in 2019 after graduating from Liberty University in Virginia. Before moving to Texas, Lauren played ice hockey in Russia on Team USA, and currently competes on the women's ice hockey team "D-Town." She is a successful Territory Sales Manager for Tanium.
Growing up, Lauren's love for sports helped her navigate her teen years. She understands how important it is to have a passion outside of school, and to have good friends who point you in the right direction. Lauren's faith is an encouragement to all who get to spend time with her. |
Equine Mentors |
Horses have a lot to teach us. Through working with them, caring for them, and riding them, we learn how to become calm and effective leaders...it's amazing. Daughters who know how to lead a horse are empowered to overcome challenges.
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