Center for Transforming Lives Relocating to New Campus

One-third of single mothers with a child under age 5 are living in poverty in Tarrant County; in some ZIP codes as many as 71%. Many become homeless. These mothers want a path to financial stability but lack the childcare and other supports needed for employment and education opportunities that could increase their incomes.

Center for Transforming Lives’ new Riverside Campus answers this community need by providing a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for these families, offering hope, healing and a pathway out of poverty. Currently undergoing renovation, the new campus located at 3001 S. Riverside Drive in southeast Fort Worth, is projected to open in late 2024.

As one of the community’s largest family safety nets, Center for Transforming Lives meets the needs of 3,000 women and children annually, through a comprehensive, two-generation and trauma- informed model. Thanks to housing support, early childhood education, economic mobility services and counseling services that work across generations, parents and children establish financial security and well-being as a family.

“Our services are designed to remove any barriers to success for women with young children experiencing poverty or homelessness,” said CEO Carol Klocek.

Each family that Center for Transforming Lives successfully transitions from homelessness to self-sufficiency saves the community approximately $20,000 per year. Last year the agency moved 231 families out of shelters and off the streets and one year later, 98% remained stably housed. Savings are estimated at $4.6 million.

But the agency has been hampered by lack of space in its current downtown building, located at 512 4^th Street. On August 13, the Fort Worth City Council will vote on purchasing the property for a downtown Fort Worth Public Library.

Moving to the new campus will significantly expand capacity to provide critical services: a 30 percent increase in families served is projected during the first year. The new location – next to a bus stop and four-line bus transfer station – will also improve community access in a historically underserved area in southeast Fort Worth, where the poverty rate for single mothers with children under age 6 is 71%.

Participants will have expanded access to high quality early childhood education, therapy for both mothers and children, housing supports and an entire hub of economic opportunity services, including a makerspace, commercial kitchen and business incubators that support mothers seeking primary or secondary sources of family income.

Lack of childcare is one of the most common barriers women face when trying to escape poverty and homelessness. Each child receiving subsidized full-day childcare allows the parent to participate in the local workforce. The Riverside Campus will expand care from 72 slots to 106, providing an additional 10% per child per year return on investment.

Within the Riverside Campus, the Economic Mobility Center will offer small business education, incubation and acceleration services with free drop-in childcare. An estimated 100 small businesses will be created or expanded each year through Center for Transforming Lives small business programming.

Because the agency serves mothers and children with high rates of trauma, the priority is on creating a welcoming environment that creates a sense of safety and belonging. Designed by nationally renowned Bennett Partners, the unique architecture incorporates healing principles inside and out, and has already received several awards.

The interior features peaceful colors, natural light, integration of nature and noise control, all of which are shown to lessen anxiety and depression and support a process of repair and recovery toward well-being.

Situated on approximately 14 acres of land, the new campus will be landscaped into an urban park setting, in collaboration with Studio Outside. The landscape design will allow mothers and children to enjoy the outdoors and reap mental and physical health benefits. A large playground and outdoor learning area will allow teachers in the flagship Early Childhood Education Center to deliver lessons outdoors, encouraging children to connect with nature, utilize all five senses and improve physical fitness.

Led by the team at Linbeck, construction is progressing rapidly on the 1950s era, all-concrete building and adjacent land that has sat vacant since the mid-90s. Poised for growth, the surrounding community is also undergoing revitalization. The opening of the new campus will provide a further catalyst for economic improvement in the area. Center for Transforming Lives is moving 119 permanent full-time jobs to southeast Fort Worth and plans to add 52 positions in the first year. Approximately 67 construction jobs were created, 100 percent of which are living wage.

“The community response and interest in this project has been overwhelming,” Klocek said. “Our board members, our steering committee and our supporters have helped to turn our vision into reality. Thanks to their support, we are creating a community to support success and financial self-sufficiency for thousands of mothers and their families.”

The new campus is expected to open by the end of the year, allowing Center for Transforming Lives to continue expanding its critical work disrupting the cycle of poverty for mothers and children in Tarrant County – and ensuring the health and vibrancy of our community for generations to come.

For more information about Center for Transforming Lives and its Riverside Campus, please visit www.transforminglives.org/Riverside-Campus. To schedule an interview or a hard hat tour of the Riverside Campus, please contact Trish Rodriguez at trodriguez@transforminglives.org or 817-996-7330.