A woman whose youth was spent in the “crossfire” of domestic abuse created a nonprofit dedicated to helping other abuse survivors.
Antoria Gillon, of Dallas, founded an organization called From Ordinary to Extraordinary in 2013. Under her direction, the nonprofit has opened several centers in Dallas and other parts of Texas, offering free training designed to teach marketable skills to abuse survivors and others whose lives were impacted by abuse.
In September 2023, Gillon opened a similar center, this time in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma program offers free training to help students obtain certification and licensing for careers in fields including cosmetology and phlebotomy. Gillon said 313 Oklahomans participated in the programs in June.
Gillon said she launched From Ordinary to Extraordinary, often called FOTE, to empower abuse survivors by helping them gain confidence and employment through hands-on programs that provide emotional, physical and financial support. The nonprofit’s partnerships with clinics and salons provide job opportunities for students upon completion of programs.