Interview and video by Angelica Villa. Photos provided by Community Does It.
In the heart of Pleasant Grove, tucked inside the Buckner Bazaar, Community Does It transforms lives with its holistic approach to mental health and community support. We spoke with Community Resource Officer Magdalena Aguirre and Therapist Nalleli Miranda about their mental health clinic, Cuenta Conmigo, and its crucial role in addressing the needs of this vibrant neighborhood. Founded in 2021 by Christine Roman, a former principal and public health advocate, Community Does It was born from community-led focus groups that identified a critical need for mental health resources, particularly for children.
Today, the organization operates with three core branches: counseling services, a Resource Connection department to help families navigate available support, and educational programming to foster growth and learning. Through its innovative programs, Community Does It is bridging the gap between Pleasant Grove residents and the vital resources they need, with mental health care at the core of its mission.
Community Does It offers three main programs:
Additionally, our Community Resources program screens local services to identify gaps and provides accessible, bilingual information to help community members navigate available resources.
Access to these resources is crucial as they empower individuals and families to seek help, improve mental health, and develop essential life skills, ultimately fostering a more supportive and informed community.
Community Does It prioritizes cultural competence by having a fully bilingual team that understands the local community’s needs, as many staff members have deep roots in the area. We actively involve community members in decision-making processes, including board participation and staff hiring, ensuring their input shapes our services.
Financial accessibility is also a key focus. We do not require medical insurance or documentation for our services, significantly reducing barriers to access. Our counseling is offered at a fraction of typical costs, which is essential since many community members face financial challenges.
To enhance accessibility, we connect individuals to resources and host events like an annual women’s health fair, where we’ve provided over 100 free mammograms since 2022. We also organize back-to-school and winter health fairs. Overall, making resources available both financially and culturally is central to our mission of effectively serving the community.
Our hope is that each person who comes to us eventually engages with all three of our programs, though that’s not always the case. In one particular instance, a mother attended one of our workshops and realized she needed to seek help for her daughter. They had been estranged, having suffered a significant trauma that fractured their family structure.
Initially, the daughter entered counseling and made substantial progress. Afterward, the mother also began counseling. By the end of their journey with us, they were able to have conversations that had previously seemed impossible. They even managed to secure a new home, as their previous house was filled with painful memories—so much so that the mother struggled to even look at it.
One of the most profound impacts was the repair of their relationship. Many community members carry a history of generational trauma, and discussing these issues can be incredibly challenging, especially for older generations who often find it too painful to address. Witnessing this mother and daughter from two generations finally able to talk about their pain was truly impactful.
Our vision centers on accessibility. While we’ve made significant strides, one major barrier we encounter is that mothers often struggle to attend counseling themselves or bring their children due to a lack of childcare. To address this, we aim to create a more holistic community experience by providing daycare services.
Additionally, we envision a space that functions like a coffee shop, where youth can gather to build healthy relationships. Currently, our youth workshops are very popular, but we want to expand our offerings. Many of my clients express frustration about the lack of local activities; they want to engage in sports or boxing but can’t travel 30 minutes to do so.
Ultimately, we want to create an environment where youth can grow and mothers don’t have to choose between their needs and those of their children. By offering these resources, we hope to foster a more supportive and connected community.
There are several ways people can get involved, such as volunteering, participating in workshops, and learning more about what we do. One of our most popular workshops is “Arts and Emotions,” which is open to everyone. We’ve had entire families attend, and even fathers bring their children to participate. It’s been powerful to see diverse groups, including Dallas police officers and veterans, take time to disconnect and express their emotions—something they often struggle to do due to the demands of their professions.
Attending our events is another meaningful way to engage. These events highlight the real needs within the community, and many people question why we host them when there are already plenty of other activities available. The answer is simple: because there’s a need for what we provide.
As the organizer of community events, I encourage volunteers to help facilitate workshops or join us on community hikes. We’re also open to ideas for fundraising activities. As much as I dislike admitting it, one of our greatest needs is financial support to continue our work. Every contribution helps us make a difference.
I want to emphasize the importance of bringing people to our workshops. While some individuals, especially men, might feel hesitant about attending, we recognize that counseling can look very different for them. We’re considering developing a specific program for men, as traditional discussions about emotions may not resonate with them. For example, we’re exploring ideas like a father-son bike repair workshop to foster a sense of community.
Building that sense of community is at the heart of what we do, whether through workshops, counseling, or resources. I encourage everyone to come in and see what Community Does It is all about. We embrace an unconventional approach—our space is inside a former bar, and it doesn’t look like one at all. I think that’s pretty cool!
Our top priority is to listen to what our community has to say. If someone expresses a need, we’ll do our best to address it. I often recall an impactful moment during our opening day when one of the Founding Moms shared, “Realmente, nos escucharon,” meaning “They actually heard us.” This highlights that our voices matter, and we operate based on community input.
We are called Community Does It because we are for the community and by the community. Our clinic, “Cuenta Conmigo,” was named by one of the moms, who expressed the sentiment that whenever someone faces hardship, they want to hear, “You can count on me.” That’s exactly what we aim to provide. Thank you for the opportunity to share!
Dallas Doing Good is proud to continue our partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas for North Texas Giving Day! This year, we’re spotlighting outstanding organizations that align with CFT’s focus areas—Health, Wealth, Living, and Learning.
Join us in supporting these impactful organizations. Your donations help drive innovation and support essential services in our community. Learn more and give today at Community Does It’s North Texas Giving Day page. Together, we make a difference!
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