New $5.5 Million Center Boosts Student Support in North Texas

A new $5.5 million Center for Student Support has opened in Westworth Village, Texas, aimed at enhancing educational support for students across 11 school districts in North Texas. This initiative, led by Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County, is designed to provide essential services such as counseling, food, clothing, and training resources, ultimately assisting thousands of students and their families.

For students like Ja’Cyriah Lacy, a junior at Lake Worth High School, the impact of this center is already evident. Initially focused solely on basketball, she has broadened her ambitions thanks to the guidance of her social worker, who encouraged her to consider a future in sports medicine or sports photography. “At first it was all about basketball, but my social worker asked, ‘What are you going to do?’” Lacy explained. “Now my top schools are Baylor University, the University of North Texas, and the University of North Carolina.”

Focus on Educational Support and Community Partnerships

The new center represents a significant step forward for Communities In Schools, a dropout prevention program partially funded by the Texas Legislature and administered by the Texas Education Agency. In 2022, the organization received $33.5 million in funding, which supports various programs across Texas, including the Dallas Region.

After operating out of smaller, temporary locations for years, the center will provide a permanent hub for services. According to Lindsey Garner, the CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County, this facility will enable social workers to respond more rapidly to students’ needs and foster new partnerships with health providers and universities.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker highlighted the importance of education during the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The topic of education is absolutely at the top of headlines across the state and right now, especially in Fort Worth,” Parker stated. “Let’s focus on the kids. What does it take to make sure their classroom, their school, their district is successful?”

The center serves multiple districts, including Azle, Crowley, Everman, Fort Worth, and Keller, among others. Located off Westworth Boulevard, the facility features four therapy rooms for after-hours counseling, a food pantry in collaboration with Texas Health Community Hope, and a closet stocked with clothing for students. These resources aim to ensure that students can access essential services promptly.

Building a Supportive Environment for Students

The availability of immediate resources is crucial for the social workers embedded in schools. “Now all I have to do is ask my supervisor or a person that’s here for whatever resource I need, and I can usually get that answer within a day or two,” said social worker Desiree Smith. This efficiency is vital in addressing students’ urgent needs.

Initially, Communities In Schools leaders faced challenges in securing the remaining $2.8 million needed to complete the project. Garner noted that support from long-time donors played a pivotal role in closing that financial gap in the final months of the campaign. Vice President at Texas Health Resources, Matt Dufrene, who chaired the campaign, expressed his emotional commitment to the cause. “Every kid needs a champion,” he stated. “They may need stability, healthy food, shelter, clothes or maybe just someone to talk to. This is what Communities In Schools does.”

The center is expected to serve nearly 6,000 students annually through the provision of licensed social workers directly in schools. The facility is not only about immediate assistance but also aims to build long-term partnerships, such as a counseling training program with Tarleton State University. This collaboration will introduce graduate students to the center, providing them with hands-on experience while expanding the professional support available to families.

Garner has already observed positive outcomes. “Our food pantry has already been restocked several times,” she reported, emphasizing the immediate need for such resources. Looking ahead, she envisions the center as a collaborative space where social workers and community partners can host events, promote student leadership, and develop a pipeline of future counselors. “I think the possibilities are endless,” Garner concluded.

The new Center for Student Support stands as a testament to the commitment of Communities In Schools and its partners to foster educational success and well-being for students in North Texas.