About Us

At Youth Connect, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive, both academically and emotionally. Our mission is to empower students through accessible, in-school therapy, fostering environments where they can reach their full potential, even when facing challenges.

Our founder, Dana Mitchell, LCSW, brings a wealth of experience and a deep-seated passion for supporting young people. Her commitment to children began early in her career, including invaluable work with the Dallas County Juvenile Department (Letot Center). This experience provided her with a profound understanding of the unique obstacles children face and honed her ability to provide effective support in structured environments.

Further solidifying our foundation is Dana’s 17 years of experience with the City of Mesquite, where she developed and implemented community-based programs for youth. These initiatives were specifically designed to build protective factors in children’s lives, actively minimizing the risk factors they might encounter outside of school hours. This extensive background in proactive youth development is central to our holistic approach to student well-being.

Beyond her direct clinical and community work, Dana has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at various institutions. Her dedication to the community has been widely recognized, earning her a lifetime membership with the PTA, acknowledgement from the NAACP Mesquite, the National Volunteer Award, and a nomination for the W.I.S.E. Award by Mesquite Social Services for her significant contributions to nonprofit agencies.

Dana lives by her inspiring motto: “Better tomorrows begin today.” This philosophy underpins our commitment to providing compassionate, effective, and accessible therapy services, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a brighter future.