May Volunteers of the Month Make a Family Affair Out of Saving Lives

Volunteering is often a family affair for Nene Onwude, Kimora Graham, and Jayla Barker. Since joining the SPCA of Texas in June 2025, the mother-daughter trio has contributed more than 873 volunteer hours, helping animals find homes and bringing energy, compassion, and teamwork to mobile adoption events across North Texas.

Congratulations to our May Volunteers of the Month Nene, Kimora, and Jayla!

Together, they have become familiar faces at mobile adoption events, where their enthusiasm, kindness, and teamwork help create positive experiences for animals and adopters alike.

According to one nominator who works closely with the family at adoption events, their impact is impossible to miss.

“Nene, Kimora, and Jayla have become such a special part of our mobile adoption events team! Whether they’re helping set up, greeting potential adopters, or giving our animals extra love and attention throughout the day, their positivity and teamwork always shine through. It’s especially heartwarming to see this mother-daughter trio volunteering together and making such a meaningful impact on our animals and community. We are so grateful for the time, energy, and compassion they bring to every event!”

For Nene, volunteering is about much more than giving back. It’s about love.

“I feel great about myself and loved,” she shared. “I love dogs, and getting all the love from them is so amazing. They all are like my fur babies until they get adopted. They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but they are also a girl’s best friend.”

That love for animals was what first inspired Nene to become involved with the SPCA of Texas. After watching heartwarming videos and seeing the joy animals bring to people’s lives, she decided to turn that inspiration into action. Since then, she has shared that passion with her daughters, creating a volunteer experience that has strengthened not only the community but also their family bond.

Together, the trio helps make adoption events welcoming and successful. From setting up event spaces and greeting visitors to spending one-on-one time with adoptable pets, they play an important role in helping animals put their best paw forward.

Nene also wants prospective adopters to know that the SPCA of Texas is committed to helping families find the right match.

“SPCA of Texas will always make sure you pick out the right pet,” she said.

That commitment to creating lasting connections is something Nene sees firsthand through her volunteer work. She has witnessed the powerful impact that compassion can have on both animals and people throughout the community.

“Everyone and every animal needs love in our community, and volunteers have shown a lot of that,” she explained. “We come together as a family to support one another and our fur babies.”

One of Nene’s favorite memories highlights exactly why she loves volunteering so much. During the holiday adoption event at NorthPark Center from November through December 2025, she watched countless animals find loving homes.

“My favorite memory at the SPCA of Texas is going to the NorthPark Mall adoption event,” she said. “We had a lot of dogs and cats adopted, and that really makes me happy.”

For volunteers like Nene, Kimora, and Jayla, every adoption represents a life changed. Every wagging tail, happy purr, and smiling adopter is a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make an enormous difference.

Nene hopes others understand the profound impact volunteering can have.

“Volunteering can make a BIG difference in some people’s lives because you never know what a person or animal is going through,” she said. “I enjoy going to the adoption events with my kids.”

Their story is a wonderful example of how volunteering can bring families together while helping build a more compassionate community. Through nearly 900 hours of service, countless belly rubs, and endless smiles, Nene, Kimora, and Jayla have helped animals find hope, comfort, and loving homes.

From all of us at the SPCA of Texas, thank you, Nene, Kimora, and Jayla, for your dedication, your kindness, and your unwavering commitment to the animals who need us most. We are honored to celebrate you as our May Volunteers of the Month and grateful for the difference you continue to make every day.