Big news was made at the Esteem fashion show tonight at Tootsies benefiting The Elisa Project. After 20 years of “fighting eating disorders through education, support and advocacy” locally, the TEP board of directors has decided that a name change was in order which would allow for the expansion of its resources and support throughout the state of Texas.
The new name will be Texas Eating Disorders Association (TEDA) and takes effect pronto.
Since its creation by the parents of the late Elisa McCall, the nonprofit has “connected more than 6,000 individuals in crisis to resources for recovery and had given hope to those supporting them.”
To honor Elisa’s memory, the organization’s new logo “incorporates a leaf in recognition of Elisa’s love of nature.”
According to Board President Kristi Bare, “We are so excited about our future as we embrace our new name. We are the only organization in Texas that does what we do, so it is incredibly important that we continue to make a lasting impact on the health and wellness of all Texans by improving the lives of those we serve, as we have since our founding 20 years ago.”
Kristi stressed that “all money raised in Dallas will stay in Dallas. Only funds raised in other cities will stay in those cities.”
According to TEDA Executive Director Kimberly Martinez, “In the past few years the requests for our programs and resources has steadily grown throughout the state. The name Texas Eating Disorders Association better reflects who we are and allows us to expand to meet the needs of those working to prevent eating disorders as well as those living with the potentially deadly illness and their loved ones. And our new name certainly makes it easier for those in need to find us.”
* Graphic provided by Texas Eating Disorders Association