H.R. No. 2231
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For 115 years, Family Support Services of Amarillo
has played a vital role in helping to ensure that individuals and
families across the Panhandle are healthy, stable, and free of
violence by providing comprehensive advocacy, education, and
intervention services; and
WHEREAS, The history of FSS dates back to 1908, when a group
of local businessmen established the Associated Charities to serve
the Amarillo community; over the years, the organization merged
with a number of existing groups combatting domestic violence and
providing family services; in 1993, it was reorganized under the
name Family Support Services of Amarillo; FFS provides a safe haven
for adults and children who have suffered trauma, domestic
violence, assault, and trafficking and provides counseling and
other behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, Focused on healing, stability, and well-being, FFS
serves numerous people in the Panhandle region each year; the
organization empowers individuals and families through its many
robust programs, including advocacy services, behavioral health
and wellness, education and prevention, emergency housing, and
veterans resources; through its programs, FSS makes information and
training available on the prevention of dating violence, child
abuse, teen suicide, and substance abuse, while also extending
support to new parents; the organization's programs and services
also include a Veterans Resource Center, which helps veterans,
family members, and surviving spouses to find housing and
employment and to access available benefits; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, FSS continued to
deliver on its promise to assist vulnerable members of the
community, even as the organization confronted new challenges; in
January 2020, its building in downtown Amarillo was destroyed in a
fire, forcing staff to operate out of a temporary location before a
new office was secured later in the year; FSS recently moved into a
renovated, state-of-the-art office facility, which will allow the
organization more space to provide enhanced services to the
community; and
WHEREAS, Guided by integrity, expertise, and commitment to
service, the FSS executive team includes chief executive officer
Jim Womack, chief operating officer Terry Stroud, chief development
officer Joette Campbell, director of behavioral health and wellness
Kathy Tortoreo, director of education Brandi Reed, Veterans
Resource Center director Verlene Dickson, director of advocacy
services Michelle Shields, director of administrative services
Veronica Villanueva, and director of donor engagement Christy
Bertolino; serving on the organization's board are president Freida
Toler, president-elect Lisa Simpson, treasurer David Meraz,
secretary Jenni Winegarner, and members Brad Baldridge, William
Bailey, Brittainy Barber, Jason McCoy, Shauna Moore, Alex
Yarbrough, Allison Roberts, David Lovejoy, Debra McCartt, and
Russell Johnson; and
WHEREAS, Family Support Services of Amarillo has helped
countless individuals and families as they take the first steps
toward healing and change, and all those who are involved in this
remarkable organization are deserving of recognition for their
contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 115th anniversary of Family
Support Services of Amarillo and extend sincere best wishes for
continued success to its staff, directors, volunteers, and other
personnel; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2231 was adopted by the House on May
29, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House