Hoyoung Lee
In a year filled with unprecedented struggles and challenges, sometimes you just need a bright spot to help you get through it, and House of Shine’s new location is literally that for some.
For 13 years, the House of Shine nonprofit has developed programs for women and children to discover themselves and why they matter. But despite being a longtime Grapevine staple, executive director Claudia Beeny says her group has never had a building to call their own.
“We started by writing and delivering curriculum locally, and for the last seven years we’ve been operating out of my house,” Claudia says. “We’ve been doing this work for so many years, but we’ve been doing it out in the schools and the community.”
But thanks to its new location that recently opened in Grapevine, it’s become easier than ever to bring people into House of Shine’s mission. Colorful, vibrant and filled with several interactive features, Claudia says the space is designed to help you discover your strengths, hobbies, interests, needs and experiences.
“It’s really an interactive museum in many ways,” Claudia says. “Every installation, every element is designed to help you discover how you’re uniquely wired to make a contribution to the world — why you shine.”
One of those features is a custom-built, spin-top “Let’s Talk” table that brings 10 people together to discuss topics that matter to the community. Claudia says the table encourages civil discourse and teaches others how to collaborate and solve problems together.
With House of Shine now rolling out classes, workshops and programs inside of its new space, Claudia says she hopes the location will be a hub for bringing people together and helping them realize their potential.
“We are embedding ourselves in the middle of this North Texas area because we believe we’re going to help create and energize community in a way that hasn't been experienced before,” she says. “Bringing this vision to reality has been a long time coming.”
To check out the new location for yourself, visit 334 S. Barton St., call 817.601.8850 or go online at HouseOfShine.com.