LIFT Community Partnership in Parker County Brings Proven Poverty-Ending Model to Local Families
Weatherford, Texas – Texas Neighborhood Services (TXNS) and Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) are proud to announce a new partnership to expand access to high-quality, research-backed case management services for individuals and families in Parker County. Through this collaboration, Texas Neighborhood Services will connect eligible clients to CCFW’s LIFT program, modeled after their nationally recognized Padua® program. LIFT will bring long-term, intensive case management services to residents working toward greater stability and self-sufficiency.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for both organizations, bringing CCFW’s proven long-term case management model to more families in Parker County and expanding access to services that help individuals achieve lasting economic independence. The partnership also advances a diocesan priority to expand poverty-ending services across the Diocese of Fort Worth, ensuring families throughout the region have access to proven pathways out of poverty.
While Parker County continues to experience rapid growth, thousands of residents still face financial hardship. Approximately 8% of Parker County residents live below the federal poverty line, including roughly 9% of all children, demonstrating the continued need for effective, long-term interventions that help families move toward economic mobility and independence.
“The reality is that helping someone pay rent or utilities this month doesn’t necessarily help them escape poverty. It does provide them with some breathing room from looming monthly bills, but for families to become self-sufficient, they need more. Families need opportunities for better jobs and long-term support to overcome the barriers holding them back and to connect them to those jobs,” said Bradley Manning, Executive Director of Texas Neighborhood Services. “When we first heard about LIFT and how it uses a researched based approach, we were excited to find a structured case management system from a community partner that was willing to partner with us on this solution. We believe the combination of live and remote case management will provide the opportunity for more households to participate in the program to improve their living conditions. That’s why we’re so excited about this partnership with Catholic Charities Fort Worth. We see it as a natural synergy, a way to bring proven expertise and new resources to the people we’re already serving. I have tremendous hope for this program and believe it can become the first real bright star for lasting impact in low-income families in Parker County.”
Created by Catholic Charities Fort Worth, LIFT is modeled after Padua®, an evidence-based poverty-ending program that redefines traditional case management through a client-led, long-term, and research-driven approach. Each LIFT participant is paired with a dedicated Navigator that provides personalized support, coaching, strategic financial assistance, and mental health resources to help them overcome barriers and achieve lasting stability.
CCFW’s Padua® model was rigorously tested through a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted by the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame, confirming its transformative impact. Participants are:
• 25% more likely to achieve full-time employment
• 46% more likely to increase earnings
• 64% more likely to secure stable housing
• More likely to report improvements in overall health and well-being
“Communities don’t need more programs that manage poverty. They need solutions that end it,” said Heather Reynolds, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth. “Texas Neighborhood Services understands that distinction, which is why this partnership is so powerful. TXNS has earned the trust of this community through years of service, and by bringing LIFT to Parker County, we’re combining that trust with a research-backed model that delivers measurable results for families. Together, we’re creating a pathway for more Parker County families to move from crisis to stability, and from stability to opportunity.”
Together, Catholic Charities Fort Worth and Texas Neighborhood Services are bringing a proven poverty-ending solution to Parker County, expanding access to long-term support that helps families achieve their Bigger, Brighter Futures.
To learn more about LIFT or apply for services, visit LIFT.CatholicCharitiesFortWorth.org.
About Texas Neighborhood Services Texas Neighborhood Services was founded in 1965 originally to serve Palo Pinto County. Over its 61+ years of service, programs and service area have expanded and contracted to meet the needs of the individuals they serve. Currently operating in seven counties to the west of Fort Worth, Texas Neighborhood Services is the largest provider of utility and rental assistance services in those areas. Texas Neighborhood Services focuses its services on those most in need and does so through a variety of programs to support individuals and families.
About Catholic Charities Fort Worth At Catholic Charities Fort Worth, we relentlessly end poverty through holistic, research-based solutions. Founded in 1910, CCFW serves tens of thousands of people in North Texas and across the nation each year. To learn more about Catholic Charities Fort Worth, visit www.catholiccharitiesfortworth.org.
