Garland, TX — Hope’s Door New Beginning Center (HDNBC), a leading domestic violence agency serving Northeastern Dallas County and Collin County, proudly announces Megan Valdez as its new Chief Executive Officer as the organization celebrates 40 years of empowering survivors, strengthening families, and building safer communities.
Valdez is a recent Leadership Garland graduate and active member of the Leadership Garland Alumni Association, continuing her commitment to civic leadership and engagement in the community. Valdez began her career at New Beginning Center in 2006, serving survivors and families in Garland at the very start of her career. She returned to the organization in 2021, continuing her commitment to the community where her work began and ultimately stepping into the CEO role in 2025.
“It is an honor to lead this mission and to do so with deep connection to the Garland community,” said Valdez. “New Beginning Center was born here because neighbors saw a survivor in crisis and refused to let her stand alone. That grassroots spirit still defines Garland — a city that shows up, stands together, and believes in protecting and uplifting families.”
Legacy Rooted in Garland — and a Movement That Continues
HDNBC’s roots run deep in Garland. New Beginning Center was founded in Garland in 1982 by community member Dana Cooper, who continues to serve on the HDNBC Board of Directors. In 2016, New Beginning Center united with Hope’s Door in Plano, creating HDNBC — a regional leader with expanded capacity to serve survivors across North Texas.
“Both Hope’s Door and New Beginning Center came from neighbors helping neighbors,” added Valdez. “In 40 years, our movement has grown stronger, and so has this community. There is much to celebrate — and still more work ahead.”
Today, HDNBC remains the only comprehensive domestic violence organization serving Northeastern Dallas County and the sole provider of these services in Collin County, offering emergency shelter, case management, housing support, legal advocacy, counseling, youth prevention programs, and accredited Battering Intervention & Prevention Programs (BIPP).
In 2025 so far, HDNBC has served 1,550 individuals, answered almost 6,000 hotline calls, and reached nearly one million community members through prevention and outreach — with demand continuing to grow across North Texas.
HDNBC continues to collaborate with Garland Police Department, Garland ISD, Garland Chamber of Commerce, community partners, and faith and civic leaders to ensure survivors in Garland have access to life-saving services close to home.
40th Anniversary Celebration —“Back to the 80’s” Gala
HDNBC will celebrate this milestone year at its 40th Anniversary Gala on November 15, 2025, honoring the organization’s history and the community advocates who shaped it. At the event, HDNBC will honor founder Dana Cooper with the Founders Vision Award for her extraordinary leadership and continued commitment to supporting survivors in Garland and beyond.
“This anniversary is especially meaningful as we honor Dana Cooper, the fearless founder who sparked this work in Garland in 1982. Dana is a pillar of this community — she serves on multiple boards, pours her heart into every effort as if it were her only one, and has never met a barrier she couldn’t push through. I always say I’d love to see the person who tries to tell her ‘no’ — she is a force for good and a champion for survivors.”
Tickets for the gala are still available and can be found here: 40th Anniversary – Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
About Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
This mission of HDNBC is to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and
families affected by intimate partner and family violence, and to provide education
programs that enhance the community’s capacity to respond.
Learn more at www.hdnbc.org
Media Contact
Megan Valdez, CEO
Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
mvaldez@hdnbc.org
214-380-1026
www.hdnbc.org
