Meet Ashley Gordon Prater, LMSW – Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mental health resources manager. Ashley works to connect North Texans to vital resources through the Foundation’s Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. A licensed master social worker, she has nearly a decade of direct practice experience working with vulnerable populations, including crime victims, persons with different abilities, veterans, immigrants, and families experiencing poverty.

Around the office, she’s know as the Resource Queen.

Here are 10 things to know about Ashley.

1. What was your first job?
In high school, I was a cashier at a grocery store. I was pretty darn good at it if I do say so myself. I achieved the fastest scanning times and I even had regulars who would wait in line at my register to see me every week.

My first adult job, like J-O-B job, was as a child protective services specialist with the Department of Family and Protective Services. That was a crash course in social work, trauma, and systems.

2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
I don’t really feel too guilty about the things I do, but if I had to pick something I guess dancing around my house to punk music and the amount of queso I consume.

3. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
I’ve thought about this a lot and even wrote a letter to my younger self in therapy. It’s a tricky one because if I didn’t go through what I have, I would not be where I am today and I love where I am today.

I would probably try to do some self-esteem, self-worth, self-image bolstering and let my teenage self know that she is stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than she believes she is and I need her to believe that. Also, don’t worry, you can have all of the puppies you want and dye your hair whatever color you want when you grow up!

4. What’s your favorite movie scene and why?
I love the scene in Ever After with Drew Barrymore when she escapes the room she was locked in (the first time) and goes to the masquerade ball in this beautiful, beaded, vintage gown with her huge da Vinci angel wings and eye sparkles. In this scene, she’s standing in her full truth and glory and is about to go make all of that known while telling herself to “just breathe.”

5. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Usually, most people are surprised to find out I have a 16-year-old kid when they meet me.

6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
“I’ll Add It to the List: The Story of a Girl With Many To-Do Lists and No Concept of Time”

7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I desperately miss live music in all its forms: musical theater at Dallas Summer Musicals, local rock shows in Deep Ellum, and huge stadium shows. I also miss roaming around Target for hours and taste-testing queso at yummy restaurants.   

8. What are your top three TV shows you’re streaming right now?
Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Spring Baking Championship, and Shameless

9. Where’s your favorite travel destination and why?
I don’t think I’ve been there yet, but out of all of the places I’ve been so far Boston has definitely been my favorite. It’s very urban with tons of culture and all the Salem stuff is pretty cool, too.

10. Why is Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission important to you?
I’ve worked with many kiddos over the years who struggled with their mental health, including my own son. While this job can be incredibly scary sometimes, when you have a teenager under your roof who you adore, it also feels urgent and important.

I want to let people know how absolutely precious they are to this world and I get to do that at Grant Halliburton Foundation. Whether it’s disseminating information from our amazing outreach and education team, supporting our Here For Texas Navigation Line callers, or participating in the Foundation’s marketing efforts, I’m always happy to do so because we’re making a difference in people’s lives.