With strategic partnerships around child care resource and referral, basic needs system efficiencies, disaster response and free tax preparation assistance (EITC promotion), Marco succeeded in positioning 2-1-1 as a central gateway for information and systemic solutions for the Central Texas community. Over the years, Marco has been involved in state and national initiatives in the promotion of the new and growing 2-1-1 system, with particular focus on community needs reporting and the use of technology to enhance client access to systems of care. 

Marco earned a BA from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with concentrations in Psychology and Political Science. He continued Graduate studies at the University of Texas in San Antonio and received his Masters in Education with a concentration in Counseling.   

Marco and his wife Cassandra, an Accounting and Technology Manager for a Dallas- based brokerage firm, have two young daughters. Marco spent 10 years of his youth living in Guadalajara Mexico and is a native speaker of both English and Spanish. 

Marco’s expertise in strategic planning, managerial leadership, community outreach and communications will serve DASN well in its mission to build a coalition to address the afterschool shortage in Dallas County. Marco’s official start date will be May 5, 2008.

Marco can be reached at:

mgalvan@dallasafterschoolnetwork.org

214-306-8400 ext. 801 (w)

214-394-4113 (c)

DALLAS AFTERSCHOOL NETWORK LAUNCHES FIRST ANNUAL

SUMMER SHOWCASE PLANNED TO PROVIDE    

NON-SCHOOL HOUR RESOURCES FOR DALLAS COUNTY CHILDREN

 Resource Fair Ignites a New Resource for Afterschool Care Providers Eager to Find Programming for Children During Summer Months

Summer Showcase will display exhibitions from children’s theater, health/community services, museums, cultural centers, food services, transportation and curriculum programming.  Some exhibitors, including the Junior Players’ Guild, Dallas Performers, and Sway Enterprises, will provide entertainment during the Summer Showcase. 

All child care providers, including schools, child care centers, afterschool programs, summer programs, churches and recreation centers are encouraged to attend.  Admission is free to experience workshop curriculum, demonstrations of products and services and to meet many different vendors at once from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Live entertainment performances will be featured from 10 a.m. to noon.

 “I am thrilled that Dallas Afterschool Network is bringing resources like Summer Showcase to child care providers like me.  I don’t have the time or staff to research all of the options that exist for our summer programming.  And it can get boring offering the same field trips and summer activities year after year .  I really appreciate having this “one-stop-shopping” opportunity for my programming options.  I know my children will benefit come summer!” said Comfort Brown, Executive Director, St. Anthony Community Center.  

“We founded Dallas Afterschool Network in April, 2007 to identify and facilitate collaborative opportunities to bring resources to underserved areas of Dallas County.  There are more than 135,000 children in Dallas County who require afterschool care.  Summer Showcase is an extension of DASN’s mission to expand the quality and availability of afterschool options for the children in our community,” said Tanya McDonald, founder, Dallas Afterschool Network.

Studies show that afterschool care is also a venue for student safety. Statistics show that juvenile crime peaks between the hours of 3-6 p.m., so afterschool programs are critical to building community safety.

A new report entitled, “Today’s Children:  Tomorrow’s Community” estimates that there are approximately 2,200 different afterschool providers ranging from for-profit organizations to non-profit social programs through churches, schools and community centers to in-home care.  Until the launch of Dallas Afterschool Network, there was no single agency that championed, organized or managed these diverse providers. 

Dallas County currently has at least 2,200 different afterschool providers ranging from for-profit organizations to non-profit social programs through churches, schools and community centers.  However, despite the seemingly large number of providers, only 36% of the 135,000 Dallas County children who need afterschool care are currently being served.  That leaves 86,400 Dallas children unsupervised on a daily basis.

To accommodate the demand by 2010 (anticipated to increase by roughly 8% due to population growth) the number of new afterschool spaces needed increases to 97,000 spaces.  To account for program attrition at current rates, an additional 13,000 spaces will be needed.  Given current estimates, a total of 110,000 additional spaces will be needed by 2010 in order to provide afterschool care for all Dallas County children ages 5 to 13 who are not cared for at home.

Dallas Afterschool Network organized Summer Showcase to provide an opportunity for child care providers to view, sample, experience and meet a wide selection of organizations from caterers to magicians to museums to science programs to children’s theater.  Hoping that “one stop shopping” will increase exposure and awareness for affordable enrichment programs during the summer, the event is free and open to the public with a minimal charge for exhibitors. 

For additional information about registering as an exhibitor or attending Summer Showcase, visit      www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org and click on Summer Showcase Fair or visit www.thesummershowcase.org.

Responsibilities:

 • Manages all aspects of the business and day-to-day operations of the Dallas Afterschool Network.  Serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Dallas Afterschool Network.

 • Reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for strategic planning, fundraising, community relations, financial management, and marketing/public relations. As the lead fundraiser, he or she will implement, execute and manage an annual development plan through a variety of initiatives including annual fund solicitation, corporate alliances, donor circles, grant-writing, events and prospecting new donors.

 • Assists the Board of Directors in the recruitment and retention of board members and the development of a strategic plan for the organization.  Works with the Board of Directors to ensure that all aspects of the strategic plan are carried out.  Prepares, or causes to be prepared, all operational plans for the organization.

 • Oversees and coordinates the research, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of all programs, professional development, training, and services for the Dallas Afterschool Network.  Sets and updates the annual master calendar for the organization.

  • Prepares, or causes to be prepared, all necessary administrative policies and procedures for Board review and approval.

 • Researches and prepares, or causes to be prepared, the annual operating budget for the Dallas Afterschool Network for Board review and approval.  Prepares supplemental budgets and updates as needed during the year.

 • Recruits, hires, orients, trains, manages, evaluates and terminates all other staff or volunteers of the Dallas Afterschool Network as necessary.

 • Serves as a spokesperson for the Dallas Afterschool Network as determined by the Board.

 • Attends all Board and Executive Committee meetings.  Attends community, neighborhood, and other meetings as needed or as required.

 • Prepares and submits an annual plan for personal and professional development to the Executive Committee.

 • Performs other duties as needed and as assigned by the Board of Directors.