Lena Pope Home to expand counseling, education services Lena Pope Home is closer to reaching its goal of raising $12.5 million in a capital campaign that will add more than 43,000 square feet to the organization’s Fort Worth campus. Officials from Lena Pope, along with dignitaries and community leaders, announced the public phase of the “Yes, Mrs. Pope” fund drive on April 19. The campaign began in December 2011, and to date, $9 million has been raised, with donations coming from 100 percent of the Lena Pope board and from foundation grants. The organization raised $1 million with the sale of property in Flower Mound. The fund drive is only the third capital campaign in the 83-year history of Lena Pope Home. The agency, which provides counseling and educational support to more than 20,000 children and family members each year, began the campaign to meet changing community needs and to expand and enhance its facilities. The new space at Donnelly Avenue and Sanguinet Street, across from existing Lena Pope grounds, will include a new facility for the counseling center and support services for 1,000 additional clients ($6 million); development of a larger facility for the Early Learning Center program to provide full-time care for more than 100 children up to age 5 ($2.5 million); and expansion of Chapel Hill Academy charter school to serve more students ($2.4 million to add fourth and fifth grade classrooms, gymnasium, cafetorium and science laboratory). A pledge of $1.6 million will pay off the bond secured to start and open Chapel Hill Academy in 2008. Bennett Benner Pettit is architect on the expansion project. Construction is expected to begin this summer and finish by summer 2014.
Goodwill continues homeless partnership Despite the end of grant funding, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth will continue funding the on-site career center it has maintained at the Fort Worth Day Resource Center for the Homeless. For the past year, Goodwill has provided an on-site employment specialist at the center funded by a grant through Directions Home and the United Way. The grant funding ends April 30, but Goodwill will continue partnering with the Day Resource Center. Goodwill’s effort with the center is to help homeless people build the confidence to work a regular job while gaining work experience. “Even though we have reached the end of our grant funding, Goodwill is committed to serving this community,” said David Cox, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth. In 2012, the first year Goodwill provided the Day Resource Center with an employment specialist, the partnership placed 99 homeless people in jobs. An additional 345 people received other services from Goodwill, including resources to help find and maintain a job, such as bus passes, interview help and clothing vouchers redeemable at area Goodwill stores. Goodwill will provide an employment specialist at the Day Resource Center two days a week.
United Way nets $30.3 million United Way of Tarrant County raised $30,303,781 in total revenue in 2012-2013 to advance its local work in the areas of education, financial stability and health. The funds also will support partner agency programs, the 2-1-1 information and referral service, Area Agency on Aging programs and homelessness services in Fort Worth. The total includes $20,832,000 contributed to the United Way annual campaign that recently ended. United Way officials say the revenue total may top out even higher by the time the organization’s fiscal year ends June 30 since the agency continues to accept contributions for its new Tarrant County Veterans Fund. The fund was established this year to support community-based services needed most by members of the armed services who are returning to civilian life. About 69 percent of United Way’s 2012-2013 revenue comes from its annual campaign. This year’s campaign award winners are: Top 4 Largest Campaigns, $2,442,975 – BNSF Railway Co. and labor unions ATDA, BLET, BRS, BMWE, IBEW, IAM, TCU and UTU; $2.1 million – Alcon Laboratories Inc.; $1,181,000 – Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Lockheed Martin AERO Club and labor unions IAM Local 776, OPEIU Local 277, SPFPA Local 723, IBEW Local 20 and FITU 900; $1,047,168 – Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc. and labor unions UAW Local 218, UAW Local 317, SPEPA Local 256 and BPEA. Pier 1 Imports Inc. won the Give.Advocate.Volunteer Award. BNSF raised the most dollars and had the most volunteer hours. XTO Energy Inc. had the greatest increase in giving. Texas Health Resources contributed the most new volunteer hours. TD Auto Finance had the most outstanding first-time campaign. Matt Rose, chairman and CEO of BNSF Railway Co., was 2012-2013 campaign chairman.
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