Since its founding in 2015, The Gatehouse has empowered more than 800 single women, single mothers and their children in the Dallas-Fort Worth Since its founding in 2015, The Gatehouse has empowered nearly 850 single women, single mothers and their children in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to overcome temporary hardships and build self-sustaining futures. Created by local philanthropist Lisa Rose in response to rising unemployment, underemployment, and economic instability among women, The Gatehouse has become a leading nonprofit dedicated to creating permanent solutions. Through its comprehensive Career, Education and Vocation Track programs, residents receive no-cost apartments at The Gatehouse, access to quality childcare, professional counseling, legal assistance and other essential resources – all designed to provide goal-oriented women with the time, resources and tools needed to pursue a career, higher education or a skilled trade in high-demand fields.
industry
- professional services
services
- corporate social responsibility
- creative services – branding and collateral
- creative services – web and digital
- marketing strategy & planning
- media relations
- public involvement & stakeholder engagement
- thought leadership positioning
the challenge
Bridging the Awareness Gap to Expand Program Reach Across North Texas
Although The Gatehouse is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit in North Texas, it operates within a competitive landscape that includes other worthwhile nonprofits in the region. Unlike traditional shelters or temporary services, The Gatehouse provides a long-term, structured program designed to empower motivated women with a hand up, not a handout, as they work toward permanent change for themselves and their children. Yet, despite its transformational impact, The Gatehouse struggled with the obstacle of being recognized and understood. To continue growing and serving more families, the organization needed to increase its visibility, educate and attract more prospective Members and strengthen its credibility with stakeholders. The Gatehouse sought a partner who could amplify its message, showcase its distinctive model and connect with audiences in a way that would educate them and drive action.
the strategy
Elevating Visibility for The Gatehouse Brand, Expanding Membership and Re-engaging Stakeholders
As The Gatehouse’s trusted communications partner, Cooksey developed a comprehensive strategic communications plan to strengthen The Gatehouse’s brand presence and amplify its mission. The strategy focused on key objectives, including increasing overall brand awareness, educating prospective members about the Career, Education and Vocation Track programs, re-engaging existing stakeholders and expanding The Gatehouse’s network of corporate donors and community and education partners to enhance credibility and long-term sustainability. To support ongoing program growth, the strategy also prioritized recruiting mission-aligned women into The Gatehouse’s life-changing programs.
As part of its broader efforts, Cooksey also led the promotion of The Gatehouse’s 10th anniversary, highlighting the milestone to celebrate a decade of impact and deepen engagement with media, donors and community stakeholders across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
the solution
Amplifying The Gatehouse’s Impact Through Media, Community Recognition and Creative Outreach
Cooksey secures regular coverage for The Gatehouse in North Texas’ leading outlets, including The Dallas Morning News, D CEO, Fort Worth Report, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KXAS-TV, NBC 5, KDFW-TV, FOX 4, WFAA-TV’s Good Morning Texas as well as key community publications including Community Impact, Southlake Style, Stroll Westlake and others. These media placements highlight The Gatehouse’s three programs, its current and former Members, and their stories, as well as The Gatehouse’s leadership team. In addition, Cooksey maximized media coverage for The Gatehouse’s milestone 10th anniversary, helping to elevate awareness about the organization and its long-term credibility, while driving engagement.
To further reinforce The Gatehouse’s reputation, Cooksey develops and submits strategic award nominations aligned with the organization’s mission. As a result, founder Lisa Rose was honored with the 2025 North Texas Commission Education Leadership Award, a Communitas Award in the “Making a Difference” category and was named a finalist in D CEO’s 2025 Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards.
Cooksey also focuses on connecting The Gatehouse team with key stakeholders, leveraging its existing community and corporate relationships with leaders at nonprofit and private organizations, including Dallas College, Tarrant County College, University of North Texas, the North Texas Commission and Credit Union of Texas.
