Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Empowering Fort Worth Families Since 1909
Founded in 1909, United Community Centers has dedicated over a century to empowering Fort Worth families through education, nourishment, and holistic support. Our mission, rooted in Christian principles, focuses on building generational change by addressing systemic challenges through tailored literacy programs, food security initiatives, and family empowerment workshops. With three neighborhood centers in Polytechnic Heights, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, and Historic Southside, we serve over 15,000 individuals annually through daily meals, educational resources, and community-building programs. Our literacy specialists have developed an evidence-based curriculum that helps 58% of students achieve grade-level reading proficiencysignificantly outperforming local averages. We maintain transparency through annual donor reports and community impact assessments while operating with a team of certified educators, dedicated volunteers, and experienced center directors.Our mobile food pantry reaches underserved populations with 60-pound food boxes, and our clothing rooms provide essential household items to families in need. Through strategic partnerships and donor support, we've sustained continuous operations for over 115 years while adapting to evolving community needs. Our governance structure combines professional administration with community-led programming to ensure cultural relevance and operational effectiveness. We measure success through longitudinal literacy outcomes, food insecurity reduction metrics, and family self-sufficiency indicators. Our volunteer program engages over 200 community members annually in direct service roles across educational, nutritional, and resource distribution programs.
Services
Literacy Programs
Food Distribution
Family Workshops
Clothing Rooms
Mobile Food Pantry
Details
- Year established: 1909
Highlights and features
- 58% of students achieve grade-level reading proficiency through our literacy programs
- Distribute nourishment to 15,000+ individuals annually through food pantries
- Offer free financial literacy and workforce development workshops
- Operate three neighborhood centers in underserved Fort Worth communities
- Maintain 115+ years of continuous service with proven community impact
Services
Literacy Programs
Our certified literacy specialists deliver individualized reading instruction to Pre-K through 7th-grade students. Small group sessions focus on phonics, fluency, and vocabulary development using evidence-based teaching methods. 58% of participants achieve grade-level reading proficiency, significantly exceeding local school averages.
Food Distribution
Community center pantries provide fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples four days weekly. Monthly distributions serve 24,000+ families through fixed-site and mobile pantry operations. No eligibility paperwork required for our holiday meal baskets or mobile food distributions.
Family Workshops
Free educational sessions cover financial literacy, workforce development, and parent empowerment topics. Seasonal programs include tax preparation assistance and school supply distributions. Clothing rooms at two centers offer gently-used apparel and household essentials to enrolled families.
Mobile Food Pantry
Monthly mobile distributions at Wesley Center provide 60-pound food boxes containing fresh groceries. This initiative serves 200+ families each fourth Saturday, prioritizing neighborhoods with 90%+ below-$30k household income rates.
After School Care
Licensed after-school program combines literacy instruction with enrichment activities in art, science, and music. Certified educators provide homework help and structured learning while offering safe, nurturing environment for working parents.
People
Johnetta Brookins
Center Director
Overseeing Bethlehem Center operations with 15+ years of community service experience. Implements literacy programs and coordinates food distribution efforts while maintaining strong neighborhood partnerships.
Sam Chavez
Center Director
Manages Polytechnic Center's educational programs and volunteer coordination. Specializes in workforce development initiatives and community engagement strategies for the Diamond Hill-Jarvis neighborhood.
Irma Hernandez
Center Director
Leads Wesley Center's family resource programs and mobile pantry operations. Focuses on expanding access to educational materials and seasonal support programs for Historic Southside residents.
Questions
What age groups do your literacy programs serve?
Our literacy programs serve Pre-Kindergarten through 7th-grade students at all three neighborhood centers.
How can families access food assistance?
Families can visit any center pantry four days weekly or attend the Wesley Center mobile pantry on fourth Saturdays with no eligibility requirements.
Are your educational programs free?
Yes, all literacy programs and after-school care services are provided at no cost to enrolled families.
How can I volunteer with your organization?
Volunteer opportunities include classroom support, food pantry assistance, and clothing room organization. Sign up through our website or contact individual centers directly.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Polytechnic Heights, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, and Historic Southside neighborhoods from our three Fort Worth centers.
Can I donate clothing items?
Yes, we accept clean, gently-used clothing donations at Bethlehem and Wesley Centers for distribution through our clothing rooms.
Videos
