According to 2026 Gateway To Opportunity Luncheon Presenting Sponsors Lisa and Clay Cooley,
“Our family is pleased to support the 2026 Gateway to Opportunity Luncheon celebrating Family Gateway’s 40th anniversary. Family Gateway uses a two-generation approach to support families by working with the adults and the children in the family to help them regain stability and self-sufficiency. Programs focus on housing and employment for adults and on education stabilization for children. Interventions include assessment and diversion, emergency shelter, supportive housing, case management, and an education program.
“The luncheon will honor two very special friends of the organization, Janie McGarr and Nancy Halbreich, whose late mother, former Dallas Mayor Annette Strauss, founded Family Gateway. They will be honored with the Annette G. Strauss Community Service Award.
“Janie Strauss McGarr is a respected Dallas civic leader whose decades of volunteer service have strengthened nonprofits across North Texas. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at The University of Texas at Austin, and the Advisory Board of Family Gateway, supporting families experiencing homelessness.
“A Life Trustee and former board chair of The Hockaday School, Janie has also provided leadership to organizations including Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, KERA, The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Girls Adventure Trails, and numerous education, arts, and human services nonprofits. She has chaired several of Dallas’s most significant philanthropic events, helping to raise vital resources for the community.
“A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UT Austin and a graduate of the UT School of Law, Janie practiced law before dedicating herself to raising her daughters and to civic service. Her enduring commitment to leadership, education, and family well-being has made a lasting impact on the Dallas community.
“Nancy Strauss Halbreich is a distinguished Dallas philanthropist and civic leader whose volunteer leadership has strengthened arts, education, health care, and social-service institutions across North Texas. She currently serves as a trustee of the Hamon Foundation and on the Advisory Board of Family Gateway, supporting families experiencing homelessness. She previously served as a trustee of the Dallas Museum of Art and Hockaday School and served on the Board of Regents of the University of North Texas.
“Nancy has chaired and co-chaired major philanthropic initiatives and signature Dallas events, helping to raise critical resources for medical research, public health, and cultural institutions. Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including SMU’s J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award and VolunteerNow’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“A passionate advocate for community impact and civic responsibility, Nancy’s generosity and leadership continue to leave a lasting mark on the Dallas community.
“We encourage you to consider supporting the event as so many other generous individuals, companies and foundations have done. The 40th Anniversary Sponsor is Valient Residential.
“Platinum Sponsors include Dixon Furniture Manufacturers, Lennox, Matthews, NexBank, Phoenix, Deborah Ackerman, Sara and Justin Bailey, Janese and Rick Deitch, Michelle and Rich Frymire, Renee and Matt Gerkens, Hamon Charitable Foundation, Gene and Jerry Jones Family and Darla and Mark Whitaker.
“Gold Sponsors include Florence Hosanna and Marcus Ku, Friends and Janie and Nancy,
Paula and Bay Miltenberger, Minda and Gary Moor, Sandy Nachman, Margot Perot and
Texas de Brazil
“Silver Sponsors include Elaine and Neils Agather, Purvi and Bill Albers, Susan and Stephen Butt, The Follett Family, Nancy and Jeremy Halbreich, Julie Holmer for Collin County Commissioner, Pct. 4, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Ellen and Rick Magnis, Mandy and Clayton Main, Janie and Cappy McGarr, Steph and Chris McNelis, Marilee and Charles O’Connell,
Caren Prothro, Missy and Derek Sharp, Susser Bank and Exa and David Whiteman.
“Table Sponsors include Debbie Barnes and Lisa Kraus, Kim Benton, Keith Britton, Iconic Consulting Group, Inc., Catholic Charities of Dallas, Frost, Colleen and Chris Golz, Kirksey Architecture, Linda and Trish Linderman, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, North Texas Preferred Health Partners, Origin Bank, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, Pat Schenkel, Southwestern Medical Foundation/UT Southwestern Medical Center, Jwyanza Watt, Carmen and Andy Yung and Zonta Club of Dallas
“Digital Media Sponsor is mysweetcharity.com and Print Sponsor is Brodnax 21C Printers. (All sponsors listed above are those who contributed when this Opportunity series article was submitted).
“Please visit familygateway.org to become a part of this very special celebration.”https://mysweetcharity.com/2026/08/mysweetopportunity-family-gateways-2026-gateway-to-opportunity-luncheon/
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