Giving Back Where We Live & Build

Matt Humphries, Senior Superintendent, AP Tenure – Over 5 years

 What nonprofit organization do you support?

Denton County Friends of the Family – dcfof.org

What does this organization do and whom do they serve?

The mission at Denton County Friends of the Family (DCFOF) over the past 40 years has been to provide compassionate, comprehensive services to those impacted by rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, while partnering with our community to promote safety, hope, healing, justice, and prevention. DCFOF offers more than just a safe shelter. They provide attorneys, a pantry, counselors, play therapists, support for the holidays, and visit schools to provide in-school education programs.

How do you participate with this group?

My mother, Nancy Humphries, is a board member, and my entire family has been involved for eight years. The Humphries family gives back by making donations and volunteering at all events, from the Thanksgiving Drive feeding 300 families to the Adopt-A-Family Drive providing an exclusive experience of adopting a shelter family and ensuring they have holiday gifts as well as clothing and meals during the holiday season. Additional time giving back is a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination of the Holiday Express events; logistics, deliveries, sourcing auction items, and even making some! My wife, Katie, makes quilts for the auction.

Why do you work with this group specifically?

My mom has led the way, and just like a family supports each other, we support our community. Nancy has been involved in affiliated programs to help change social attitudes, increase support for violence and sexual assault for women for over 40 years. She is grateful to see how educating people and having the availability of resources has evolved from when there were no resources. Recently, my mom turned to me and my construction background for guidance on planning a new justice center for DCFOF. She said it was a such proud mom moment for her!

What is your favorite memory while serving with this organization?

For me, it’s all about the kids – working with the kids, making their life as normal as possible in the situation they are in, especially during the holiday season.

Why do you like working for a company like AP that supports the community?

I support my community, and AP supports multiple. AP really does live up to their mission of bringing positive measurable change to the communities in which we live and build.

Melisa Baune, Director of Business Development, AP Tenure – 3 months

What nonprofit organization(s) do you support?

VNA Meals on Wheels – www.vnatexas.org/our-services/meals-on-wheels/

Big Brothers Big Sisters. Lonestar – https://bbbstx.org/

What do these organizations do and whom do they serve?

VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) Meals on Wheels provides hot, nutritious, freshly prepared meals five days a week to Dallas County residents who cannot obtain or prepare meals for themselves due to illness, advanced age or disability. These meals contribute to the overall health and well-being of participating seniors, including those with chronic illnesses and frail seniors who are homebound.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS): Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country.

How do you participate with these groups?

VNA Meals on Wheels: On Thanksgiving, I deliver meals to Seniors throughout Dallas County.

 BBBS: I have been serving in the Mentor 2.0 program for the last three years, where I was matched with a local high school sophomore. We started meeting together in 2020 and now she is a high school senior, graduating in May.

Why do you work with these groups specifically?

I believe everyone should have access to healthy food. Being able to provide a warm meal, a smile and companionship to the elderly on a holiday means a lot, especially as I am far away from my own family.

BBBS sparked my interest because I believe every child has such great potential and many children and young adults can truly thrive if given the right environment, encouragement and time. This opportunity has been especially rewarding as my “Little” and I have been able to navigate through some very challenging situations in her life together.

Why do you like working for a company like AP that supports the community?

I have a huge heart for giving back to my community and speaking up for those whose voices aren’t always heard and working for a company that aligns with this mission means a lot. I am very blessed, and it’s important not to forget that by sharing our gifts with others.