Fort Worth, TX – In a recent episode of the local podcast Fort Worth Innovates, United Way Tarrant County Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer Shon Dorsey outlined how the organization’s new Local Lift program is designed to strengthen families and neighborhoods across the county.
Collaboration at the heart of the effort
Dorsey explained that United Way is convening a broad coalition of nonprofit leaders, private‑sector funders, local government officials and higher‑education partners. The goal is simple: combine resources and expertise to address the most persistent challenges facing Tarrant County residents, from access to quality health care to preparing young people for a changing workforce.
Targeted focus areas
The program zeroes in on four pillars that align with the community’s core values – community health, education and learning, financial stability, and community resilience. By supporting organizations that serve families, United Way hopes to create a ripple effect that benefits children, parents and seniors alike.
How Local Lift works
Local Lift provides seed funding, technical assistance and capacity‑building resources to nonprofit innovators. Dorsey noted that the initiative is not a grant‑only model; it also offers mentorship, data‑driven evaluation tools and connections to corporate partners willing to invest in scalable solutions.
“We want ideas that can start small, prove their impact, and then be expanded to serve more families across the county,” Dorsey said. “When we help organizations become more effective, we strengthen the entire community fabric.”
Examples of early projects
Among the first projects receiving Local Lift support are a youth apprenticeship program that partners local manufacturers with high schools, a health‑navigator network that assists uninsured families in accessing preventive care, and a financial‑literacy curriculum tailored for parents of elementary‑age children.
These initiatives reflect United Way’s long‑standing commitment to empowering families through practical, faith‑inspired service. Dorsey, who brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, highlighted his previous work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio as evidence of the power of collaborative, values‑driven action.
Community response
Local leaders have praised the program’s emphasis on partnership. Tarrant County Commissioner John Smith called Local Lift “a welcome investment in the future of our neighborhoods, where faith, family and hard work are the foundation of prosperity.”
Faith‑based organizations, too, see the program as an extension of their mission to serve the needy. Pastor Maria Hernandez of First Baptist Church noted, “When we see resources directed toward strengthening families, we see the Kingdom values of love and stewardship put into practice.”
Looking ahead
United Way plans to track the outcomes of each funded project and share best practices with other counties in North Texas. Dorsey emphasized that the ultimate measure of success will be the tangible improvement in residents’ quality of life – healthier children, better‑educated workers and more resilient neighborhoods.
Listeners interested in learning more about Local Lift or supporting United Way’s broader mission can visit unitedwaytarrant.org or follow the Fort Worth Innovates podcast for future episodes highlighting local ingenuity.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
