About POETIC
Founded in 2017, POETIC’s mission is to empower youth (ages 12–18+) who have experienced child maltreatment, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking to find their voices, reclaim their narratives, and move forward. We do this through comprehensive, evidence based, and trauma informed programming. Our work is grounded in the belief that every young person deserves equitable access to mental health care, quality education, and economic opportunities, critical tools to address the systemic factors that contribute to revictimization and generational trauma.
POETIC’s nationally recognized, award winning 5 Systems Model brings together evidence based therapeutic interventions, 24/7 access to support, art therapy, case management, advocacy, educational services, and paid internships, all within one integrated program. This holistic approach allows us to meet each youth’s psychological, emotional, academic, social, and occupational needs in a way unmatched.
Our Reasons Why:
Based on our longitudinal Research (POETIC baseline statistics from our founding to present day):
At the point of intake (day one at POETIC),
71.5% of POETIC youth have a history of substance use
51.4%have a history of self-harm and/or suicidal behaviors
50% have a history of psychiatric hospitalization
92% of POETIC girls endorse 4 or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
88% endorse 6 or more ACE
For this reason, we are rooted in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that teaches every youth (and their guardians) skills towards greater emotion regulation, tolerating distressful situations, engaging with others more effectively, and mindfulness.
While reduced recidivism is not our primary goal, it is a powerful outcome of our innovative approach: 95% of POETIC girls do not return to the Juvenile Justice System, and 99% complete probation successfully.
Our point of difference and program impact have earned POETIC recognition through the following prestigious awards.
In addition to our evidence-based clinical programming, we provide a youth-inspired paid internship program curated by POETIC's Young Professional Board:
Check out our online store POETICallyMade™
To equip girls who have experienced child maltreatment, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking to find their voices, reclaim their narratives and persist forward.
Our goal this year is to update our kitchen, the heart of our program where we serve three hot, nutritious meals every day. With your support we can add an extra refrigerator, a stand-alone freezer to store healthy frozen foods, another toaster oven and air fryer, and water service.
In addition, your gift support:
$25 contributes to providing one POETIC youth three meals a day and snacks.
$50 provides art therapy supplies for one class.
$100 provides job-based and entrepreneurship training to increase financial independence.
$500 provides a POETIC youth group and individual therapy.
POETIC exists to address the vulnerabilities that drive exploitation and trafficking in youth. In line with our 11 Core Values, we aim to be a space that is validating and welcoming for all youth, guardians, staff and board members.
Organization name
POETIC
Causes
Human Trafficking & Exploitation
Operating Budget
$1,000,000 - $2,999,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Address
PO Box 132633