Thana Hickman-Simmons is the founder and executive director of Viola’s House, an emergency placement shelter for teen mothers who have an unplanned pregnancy. She faced an unexpected pregnancy at 17 and made the decision to keep her unborn child because of her support system. In 2008 she opened Viola’s House after seeing that teen mothers often became homeless and didn’t have resources. To date, Viola’s House has helped more than 240 homeless teen mothers in South Dallas through housing, licensed counselors, mentors and educators. In addition to helping these teen moms, she has also created jobs for women including her three daughters. Thana attended the University of Phoenix and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a certified life coach and holds a license of ordination in ministry.
