In an impoverished neighborhood plagued by violence, drugs, gangs, and lack of quality education, there are many barriers that may impact a youth from reaching their full potential. They grow up with limited resources, limited social capital, and heightened exposure to illegal activities and negative influences, which increases the likelihood to repeat the cycle of poverty and hinder educational achievement. Operation Progress Fort Worth’s approach to youth development and education addresses the barriers Como youth typically face by providing concrete opportunities to build the skills and confidence needed to break the cycle of poverty and maximize the potential of Scholars.
The Operation Progress Fort Worth (OPFW) model provides a structural foundation for children grades 3-12, which supports success and achievement into adulthood. OPFW’s holistic approach is rooted in the five pillars of success: academics, life skills, health and wellness, service, and safety and support. The academic aspect focuses on transforming Scholars into knowledgeable and critical thinkers, allows them to develop effective study strategies, requires them to minimally achieve a 3.0 GPA, and makes academics a key priority. To support this vision, OPFW provides weekly academic case management and tutoring to each Scholar. To build life skills, youth are exposed to a variety of programming that aims to develop interpersonal skills, autonomy, positive mental health, and self-confidence. Furthermore, health and wellness are emphasized by educating students on healthy habits, facilitating recreational activity, and regularly providing healthy snack to Scholars. Service is another important component as youth are connected to various service projects and volunteer opportunities that allow them to develop technical, social, and academic skills outside the classroom. Lastly, under our safety and support pillar, we provide a safety net of support to scholars by nurturing relationships with caring adults including FWPD, parents, and staff. To cultivate these relationships, Scholars’ parents/guardians attend parenting journey classes and Scholars are paired with Fort Worth Police Officers, who regularly attend OPFW events and spend at least one hour of one-on-one time with their scholar per week. Additionally, OPFW supplies temporary emergency funding to Scholars’ families to prevent homelessness and hunger, which have detrimental effects to safety and security.
Our mission is to empower underserved youth to become educated, ethical and productive adults who reach their full potential and positively contribute to society.
We kindly request monetary donations to strengthen and expand our unique model of academic support, expanded learning programs, and mentorship for the amazing Scholars of Como, in collaboration with our partner schools (Rivertree Academy, Miss Endy’s Christian Academy, IDEA Rise Charter School, Texas Christian University, and Texas Wesleyan University), the Fort Worth Police Department, and nonprofit community-based agencies. Funding would go toward project expenses such as tuition for Scholars to attend private school, book fees, school supplies, academic tutoring provided by TCU paid interns, 5 Pillars of Success (academics, health and nutrition, life skills, safety and support, and service) programming, Expanded Learning programs (programming that provides support beyond the classroom for Scholars and their families, including a 4-week Summer Enrichment Program) and STEAM activities that allow Scholars to maximize their greatest potential.
Our nation and communities are in desperate need of healing and restoration rooted in tensions between the police and communities of color. The process toward healing this relationship must include an authentic partnership. Partnership is one of the most effective tools for change, and requires not only relationship building, but trust. OPFW is taking part in that change by improving the relationships between the Como community and FWPD officers as a part of our Safety and Support Pillar.
To tackle existing gaps in racial equity and improve neighborhood-police trust, officers play a key role In Operation Progress. Officers are paired up with scholars and spend at least one hour per week with their scholar in addition to attending community events to engage with the larger Como area. As a result of this personal attention and presence, there has been a bridge between the police and community, elevating “community policing” to a new and higher level of effectiveness, as well as creating a positive rapport and bond between future community leaders and the police officers sworn in to protect it.
Organization name
Operation Progress Fort Worth
other names
OPFW
Operating Budget
$250,000 - $499,999
Counties Served
Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Address
505 W FELIX ST