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Kamiel Morgan, Tammy Turner, Tyler Booker and Danielle Minter-Spencer

Successes

Mission United and the Dallas Cowboys bring comfort to local veteran mom

Tammy Turner has built her life around service, perseverance and strength. She joined the U.S. Army during her senior year of high school, driven by a deep commitment to serve and create a better future. She embraced military life fully, serving 14…

Gabriela Hernandez

Successes

Loaned Executive Helps Strengthen Community Giving Across Tarrant County

For Gabriela Hernandez, giving back has always been part of who she is. She started working at QuikTrip as a teenager, and over the past 12 years, she’s grown within the company while staying committed to helping others. That dedication made her a…

Katrena Pitts with VITA client

Successes

From Client to Connection: How One VITA Volunteer Found Purpose in Every Return

During tax season, most people think about deadlines, documents and deductions. But for Katrena Pitts, volunteering with United Way of Tarrant County's VITA program meant something much more — connection.

Victor Reyes

Successes

Employee Spotlight: Victor Reyes

In his role as Development Manager, Victor Reyes is focused on growing relationships with individual donors by managing the stewardship process and ensuring they stay connected to the life-changing work they make possible. He also serves as a staff…

Victor Mendoza and Josef Sprinkle

Successes

Investing in Tomorrow: UWTC And TCU Neeley Scholarships Open Doors for Purpose-Driven Professionals

Victor Mendoza was sitting at work when the call finally came. After days of anticipation, he learned he had been selected for the full-tuition United Way of Tarrant County/TCU Neeley MBA Scholarship, valued at more than $120,000.

Two older veterans conversing

Successes

From Service to Support: Jim’s Journey with Mission United

Countless veterans live each day carrying the physical and emotional toll of their service. Some face injuries or illnesses that never fully heal yet go without the benefits they’ve earned. Without a trusted guide, navigating the Department of…

Adult son hugging his older mother

Successes

UWTC in Action: Guiding Caregivers and Older Adults Toward Better Days

Veteran Aubrey McDade Jr. has overcome many challenges, but his most personal mission began when he became his mother’s full-time caregiver. The weight of that responsibility was overwhelming until United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging…

Soldier hugging child

Successes

UWTC in Action: Fighting for Those Who Fought for Us

After 14 years in the U.S. Air Force, with assignments in California, England, Guam and Thailand, Jim Gasaway returned home carrying more than memories. During his time on a B-52 unit in Thailand, he was exposed to harmful chemicals that later…

Rolando Nieto and Kenya Mobley

Successes

UWTC in Action: Paving Pathways to Financial Stability

While working full-time, Rolando Nieto was looking to increase his income and build a better future. He found the opportunity through Supporting Employment Efforts Now (SEEN), part of United Way of Tarrant County’s Workforce Development program.…

LyTisa "Lady" Greene, UWTC/CPAL Community Doula

Successes

UWTC in Action: Improving Outcomes for Mothers and Babies

“Lady” LyTisa Greene, one of 120 certified doulas to complete our community doula training program in 2024, provides essential support to mothers throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Nakeesha Richmond-Moore stands with Deanna W. Titzler.

Successes

From Crisis to Community After The Cooper Fire

“We walked away with our lives,” said Nakeesha Richmond-Moore. “My children don’t have the trauma of running from a burning building. I didn’t lose any of my children and my children didn’t lose their mother.”For Nakeesha, that truth kept her…

Cintia Vera and Shanin Marshall

Successes

Shaping the Future: UWTC and TCU Neeley Scholarships Fuel Generational Change

Cintia Vera always believed education could change her life. As the first in her family to graduate from college and the oldest of several siblings, she made it a point to lead by example. So, when she learned she had received a full-tuition MBA…

Tyra Ross, UWTC/CPAL Doula

Successes

Born to Lead: Doulas are Improving Outcomes for Moms and Babies

When Tyra stepped into the delivery room earlier this year, she brought more than courage. She also carried with her the training, confidence and support system made possible through UW Tarrant County’s maternal health initiative. This was her…

Rolando Nieto with Kenya Mobley holding his CDL certificate in front of a backdrop with logos for On Track Trucking School

Successes

On the Road to Opportunity: Rolando’s Journey with SEEN

Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity—and the right people in your corner—to change everything.Rolando Nieto learned from a family friend about the SEEN (Supporting Employment Efforts Now) and its partnership with the On Track Truck…

Young girl sitting in a windowsill with a tablet in her lap wearing headphones.

Successes

Access Ignites Achievement: Maya’s Path to Success

Maya* had everything it takes to succeed—motivation, intelligence and drive. But like too many girls growing up in under-resourced communities, she lacked something critical: access.

Mother sitting on sofa with her two young children.

Successes

Empowering Women to Build Bridges to Success: Zora’s Story

Zora* is like many mothers—she wants to create a great life for her children. Unfortunately, she’s faced a lot of hurdles that make her simple goal far more difficult than it should be. 

LyTisa "Lady" Greene, UWTC/CPAL Community Doula

Successes

Legacy of a Lady: From Teenage Pregnancy to Community Doula and Mother of Change

LyTisa Greene was just 14 years old when her life changed forever. While her peers were trying to navigate the rigors of ninth grade algebra, LyTisa, also known as Lady, was trying to solve a different problem—she was going to be a mother. Instead…

Javier Huerta, VITA Volunteer

Successes

Making a Difference Through VITA: How Volunteering Shaped Javier’s Journey

Javier Huerta remembers the confusion he felt when he first entered the workforce and encountered the complex world of taxes. Growing up in a low-income household, he hadn’t been taught how to file taxes or that credits existed to help families like…

Mother hugging two children on sofa.

Successes

LVTRise: Providing Hope after Tragedy

Gun violence turned Miranda’s* life upside down after a traumatic shooting in Fort Worth's Las Vegas Trail community injured her son. The incident left her family fearful and uncertain. LVTRise stepped in amid the chaos, offering much-needed…

Ryan Vyas, UWTC Summer 2024 Intern

Successes

Empowering Future Leaders Through Education and Opportunity

United Way of Tarrant County’s mission extends beyond providing essential services to the community; we are equally committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders. This summer, we worked with individuals ranging from high school to graduate…

OSC Grantee Melinda Hamilton

Successes

Turning Tragedy into Action: Local Mother Uses Her Pain for Good During White House Visit

Melinda Hamilton is a mother on a mission. She tragically lost her daughter, brother, and grandson to gun violence. Her pain fuels her advocacy work, so when the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention asked her to share her story, Melinda…

Vanessa Keesee receives the Sharon Cox award from Kathryn Thalken, Executive Director for the Ladder Alliance.

Successes, Women United

Empowering Women for Success: The Ladder Alliance's Impact

In today's competitive job market, lacking a high school diploma or the necessary technology skills for employment leaves little hope. But Vanessa's story defies these odds. With support from the Ladder Alliance, she not only overcame these…

YWLA Student Maria Urdamipilleta

Successes

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Maria's Journey

Maria Urdamipilleta understood the obstacles young women face entering STEM careers, making the world of engineering seem like a far-off dream. However, with support from Fort Worth's Young Women's Leadership Academy (YWLA), that dream is now…

UTA student Cayla Tongol volunteers for UWTC's VITA program.

Successes, Taxes, VITA

VITA Student Volunteer Makes a Difference

Cayla Tongol's personal experience fueled her commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others, which led her to volunteer for United Way of Tarrant County’s (UWTC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 

VITA Volunteer Mike Nguyen

Successes, VITA

Meet Mike: A Beacon of Hope in Tax Season

When tax season rolls around each year, most people brace themselves for the inevitable stress and confusion that often come with filing their taxes. However, in Tarrant County, a dedicated volunteer is making this season a little brighter for low-…

John Kirby Picture

Successes

John’s Journey with Mission United

Our Mission United team connects veterans, active-duty military and their families with the resources they need to thrive. We were there for U.S. Army Veteran John Kirby during a low point in of his life.Our team worked closely with John to address…

Veteran shaking hands with a person at a career event.

Mission United, Successes

Transforming Veterans’ Lives Through Career Education

United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC)’s Mission United initiative strives to bridge the gap for veterans like Porfirio. 

woman and child

Successes

Women United Brings Healing to Local Mothers

Raising a child as a single mother is hard enough, let alone when carrying the weight of a lifetime of trauma and loss. This was life for Brianna* before finding healing through The Women’s Center of Tarrant County.

Krisna Eastham

Successes

VITA Volunteer Finds Personal Reward While Helping Others

Few people describe filing taxes as “beautiful,” but for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer Krisna Eastham, helping community members prepare their income taxes for free is incredibly rewarding.

child singing

Successes

Women United Creating a Brighter Future for Local Girls

Located in the Lake Como neighborhood of Fort Worth, Rivertree is an independent Christian school working to break the cycle of poverty by educating students to learn well, love well, work well and lead well.

woman and man

Successes

VITA Volunteers Lend Helping Hand During Tax Season

With their youngest daughter at college, Robert Schmidt and his wife looked for ways to give back to their community. Robert read about United Way of Tarrant County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in his church bulletin and decided…

Donna and Kenneth Fable

AAA, Successes

Home Modifications Helped Restore Kenneth’s Independence

When Tarrant County resident Kenneth Fable suffered from heat stroke during last summer’s heat wave, his whole world was upended. He underwent extensive physical therapy and now relies on a walker to get around.

Betty moreland

Successes

UWTC’s Mission United Helps Veterans Get the Services They Need

Recent data from United Way Texas shows that 25% of Texas’ veterans are unable to afford their basic needs. United Way of Tarrant County’s Mission United initiative focuses on supporting our veterans who so selflessly served our nation.

man and woman holding certificate

Successes

Rosa es Roja Strives to Create Healthy Hispanic Families

For many families struggling to make ends meet, health and nutrition are frequently neglected. A diet lacking proper nutrients can contribute to many health problems, including cancer.  For Hispanic communities, serious health issues are too…

Two elders

Successes

Bill and Kathy's Story

One Sunday evening in late January, Kathy and Bill were cherishing their time together, a comfort they would not have for much longer as Bill had been recently diagnosed with stage four cancer.