Lynn McGinley
Executive Director
E-mail: lynn@childrenfirstinc.org
Phone: 972.264.0604
Lynn McGinley was raised in Houston Texas and educated at University of Texas at Austin, receiving her degree in Business Management and International Business from Northwood University in Cedar Hill with Highest Honors. In 2019, at the age of 73 she received her Master of Management and Leadership from Western Governor’s University. She is married to Brian McGinley, of Bloomington, MN. And they have two boys, Matthew, and Andrew, and two grandchildren, Ana, and Evelyn.
She began her career at Southwestern Bell Telephone as the parent company, AT&T was facing divestiture. During her tenure at SWBT, she represented her company on the board of the Cedar Hill Chamber where she eventually served as the Chairman of the Board. Thus, began her love affair with non-profit work. After her retirement from the company then called SBC where she served as an Executive Director in the wholesale market, she continued to volunteer. Lynn eventually served as President/CEO of both the Duncanville and the Grand Prairie Chamber over her tenure in Chamber work. She also serves as President of the North Texas Chamber Executives in 2016 and as the Vice-chair of Governance on the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Board of Directors.
Children First, Inc. is a passion project for Lynn as she is committed to the vision of this organization where a dynamic staff is willing to share their efforts and their talents to make our world a better place by providing Hope and Healing to those in our communities who are seeking a better outlook for themselves or their children.
Executive Director
E-mail: lynn@childrenfirstinc.org
Phone: 972.264.0604
Lynn McGinley was raised in Houston Texas and educated at University of Texas at Austin, receiving her degree in Business Management and International Business from Northwood University in Cedar Hill with Highest Honors. In 2019, at the age of 73 she received her Master of Management and Leadership from Western Governor’s University. She is married to Brian McGinley, of Bloomington, MN. And they have two boys, Matthew, and Andrew, and two grandchildren, Ana, and Evelyn.
She began her career at Southwestern Bell Telephone as the parent company, AT&T was facing divestiture. During her tenure at SWBT, she represented her company on the board of the Cedar Hill Chamber where she eventually served as the Chairman of the Board. Thus, began her love affair with non-profit work. After her retirement from the company then called SBC where she served as an Executive Director in the wholesale market, she continued to volunteer. Lynn eventually served as President/CEO of both the Duncanville and the Grand Prairie Chamber over her tenure in Chamber work. She also serves as President of the North Texas Chamber Executives in 2016 and as the Vice-chair of Governance on the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Board of Directors.
Children First, Inc. is a passion project for Lynn as she is committed to the vision of this organization where a dynamic staff is willing to share their efforts and their talents to make our world a better place by providing Hope and Healing to those in our communities who are seeking a better outlook for themselves or their children.
Kim Lovelace, LPC Associate
Clinical Director
E-mail: kim@childrenfirstinc.org
Education: Tarleton State University, M.Ed. in School Counseling
Believing that the visual arts can heal, Kim has dedicated her time to being a high school art teacher, for the last 24 years in Tarrant County public education. Through humor and a no-nonsense approach, she seeks to hold a safe space for individuals as they walk through their journey, overcome their current struggles, and find their voice. Kim has extensive experience with the LGBTQ community and enjoys working with that population, especially youth. Additionally, Kim has counseled children who have lost a parent and are working through their own grief process. Using a variety of techniques and modalities, like trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy, grief work, cognitive processing therapy, and expressive arts techniques, Kim assists clients to achieve their therapeutic goals. She looks forward to getting to know you.
Clinical Director
E-mail: kim@childrenfirstinc.org
Education: Tarleton State University, M.Ed. in School Counseling
Believing that the visual arts can heal, Kim has dedicated her time to being a high school art teacher, for the last 24 years in Tarrant County public education. Through humor and a no-nonsense approach, she seeks to hold a safe space for individuals as they walk through their journey, overcome their current struggles, and find their voice. Kim has extensive experience with the LGBTQ community and enjoys working with that population, especially youth. Additionally, Kim has counseled children who have lost a parent and are working through their own grief process. Using a variety of techniques and modalities, like trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy, grief work, cognitive processing therapy, and expressive arts techniques, Kim assists clients to achieve their therapeutic goals. She looks forward to getting to know you.
Carita Brown
Director of Operations
E-mail: carita@childrenfirstinc.org
Phone: 972.264.0604
As a lifelong resident of Grand Prairie, Carita is proud to be part of an organization that helps make a positive difference in so many lives in this community. After working in the Corporate World as a National Account Manager for over 25 years, she became interested in working with nonprofits when helping at a local agency in 2021. Carita joined Children First in May 2022, and has recently taken on the role of Administrative Coordinator. She feels blessed to continue to serve her hometown by giving back to those in need.
Director of Operations
E-mail: carita@childrenfirstinc.org
Phone: 972.264.0604
As a lifelong resident of Grand Prairie, Carita is proud to be part of an organization that helps make a positive difference in so many lives in this community. After working in the Corporate World as a National Account Manager for over 25 years, she became interested in working with nonprofits when helping at a local agency in 2021. Carita joined Children First in May 2022, and has recently taken on the role of Administrative Coordinator. She feels blessed to continue to serve her hometown by giving back to those in need.
Professional Counselors and Licensed Associates
Carla Summers, LMSW
Education: University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Science in Social Work
Bilingual (English & Spanish) Therapist
Carla has a passion for helping individuals overcome challenging life situations. She is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Texas who has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families. Carla is experienced in the areas of autism, crisis intervention and domestic violence, and has provided treatment for behavioral management, anger, depression, anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem issues and parenting. Carla uses techniques and skills from various therapeutic modalities including Solution-Focused (SFT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Play Therapy, Mindfulness and relaxation to empower clients and help them achieve their goals.
A Carla le apasiona ayudar a las personas a superar situaciones difíciles de la vida, brindar esperanza, y ayudar a los clientes con su bienestar. Ella ha tenido el privilegio de trabajar con diversas poblaciones y brindar servicios en inglés y español. Carla es una trabajadora social con licencia en el estado de Texas, y tiene experiencia trabajando con niños, adolescentes, adultos y familias. Carla Summers tiene capacitación en áreas de autismo, intervención en crisis, violencia doméstica, y competencia en terapia conductual cognitiva centrada en el trauma. Carla ha proporcionado tratamiento para el manejo del comportamiento, ira, depresión, ansiedad, ADHD, problemas de autoestima y educación de los padres. Carla utiliza diversas técnicas terapéuticas, incluyendo terapia centrada en soluciones (SFT), la terapia cognitivo-conductual (CBT), la terapia de juego, y la relajación para empoderar a los clientes y ayudarlos a alcanzar sus objetivos.
Education: University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Science in Social Work
Bilingual (English & Spanish) Therapist
Carla has a passion for helping individuals overcome challenging life situations. She is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Texas who has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families. Carla is experienced in the areas of autism, crisis intervention and domestic violence, and has provided treatment for behavioral management, anger, depression, anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem issues and parenting. Carla uses techniques and skills from various therapeutic modalities including Solution-Focused (SFT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Play Therapy, Mindfulness and relaxation to empower clients and help them achieve their goals.
A Carla le apasiona ayudar a las personas a superar situaciones difíciles de la vida, brindar esperanza, y ayudar a los clientes con su bienestar. Ella ha tenido el privilegio de trabajar con diversas poblaciones y brindar servicios en inglés y español. Carla es una trabajadora social con licencia en el estado de Texas, y tiene experiencia trabajando con niños, adolescentes, adultos y familias. Carla Summers tiene capacitación en áreas de autismo, intervención en crisis, violencia doméstica, y competencia en terapia conductual cognitiva centrada en el trauma. Carla ha proporcionado tratamiento para el manejo del comportamiento, ira, depresión, ansiedad, ADHD, problemas de autoestima y educación de los padres. Carla utiliza diversas técnicas terapéuticas, incluyendo terapia centrada en soluciones (SFT), la terapia cognitivo-conductual (CBT), la terapia de juego, y la relajación para empoderar a los clientes y ayudarlos a alcanzar sus objetivos.
Sylvia Williams, LPC
Education: Dallas Baptist University, Master of Arts in Counseling
Contract Counselor/BIPP Group Facilitator
Sylvia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has received training in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education and Prevention, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is a Certified Life Coach, Pastoral Counselor, and also a Certified Prepare Enrich Facilitator, which she uses for pre-marital counseling.
Sylvia has facilitated youth and teen groups, adult grief and parenting groups, and both Men’s and Women’s Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) groups. She also provides direct services to individuals, couples and families. Her volunteer work as a mentor and counseling facilitator has taken her to prisons, pregnancy centers, youth clubs, and churches.
Sylvia employs a variety of techniques, depending on the needs of the client or group, such as Solution-Focused (SFT), Reality (RT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT) and Narrative Therapy (NT). She also enjoys using expressive therapies such as sand tray, play, and sculpting. As a person-centered and holistic counselor, Sylvia’s goal is to assist clients in moving forward to their preferred future.
Education: Dallas Baptist University, Master of Arts in Counseling
Contract Counselor/BIPP Group Facilitator
Sylvia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has received training in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education and Prevention, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is a Certified Life Coach, Pastoral Counselor, and also a Certified Prepare Enrich Facilitator, which she uses for pre-marital counseling.
Sylvia has facilitated youth and teen groups, adult grief and parenting groups, and both Men’s and Women’s Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) groups. She also provides direct services to individuals, couples and families. Her volunteer work as a mentor and counseling facilitator has taken her to prisons, pregnancy centers, youth clubs, and churches.
Sylvia employs a variety of techniques, depending on the needs of the client or group, such as Solution-Focused (SFT), Reality (RT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT) and Narrative Therapy (NT). She also enjoys using expressive therapies such as sand tray, play, and sculpting. As a person-centered and holistic counselor, Sylvia’s goal is to assist clients in moving forward to their preferred future.
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physical address
621 NW 6th St, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
mailing address
PO Box 532147, Grand Prairie, TX 75053
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