Joint initiative challenges the community to reach 500,000 volunteer hours by April 2027
FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth City Councilmember Michael Crain, United Way of Tarrant County and the Junior League of Fort Worth today jointly announced the launch of Fort Worth Serves, a citywide initiative to help residents find meaningful ways to volunteer, support their neighbors and strengthen the community.
Working with the City of Fort Worth and JustServe, the initiative aims to reach 500,000 volunteer hours by April 2027, when the community will recognize its collective impact during National Volunteer Month.
Fort Worth Serves builds on the effort Crain led earlier this year to secure Fort Worth’s designation as a JustServe City. The designation connects Fort Worth with communities across the country that have formally committed to promoting volunteerism and building a culture of service. Through its website and app, JustServe helps people find volunteer opportunities and connects organizations with individuals ready to help.
“Becoming a JustServe City was an important first step. Fort Worth Serves is about putting that commitment into action,” Crain said. “We can all serve in different ways, and everyone has something to offer. Together with United Way of Tarrant County and the Junior League of Fort Worth, we want to make it easier for people to find where they can serve and turn their desire to help into something meaningful for someone else.”
The nationwide JustServe City program supports local governments in encouraging service, recognizing volunteers and connecting residents with opportunities to contribute. Fort Worth Serves brings that mission to life locally through a shared call to action: find a way to serve, help others and invite someone to join you.
The initiative welcomes residents of all ages and backgrounds, whether they have an hour to give, a specialized skill to share or the ability to make an ongoing commitment. Service might mean helping at a food pantry, mentoring a young person, supporting a neighborhood project or lending professional expertise to a nonprofit. The purpose is to help each person find a place where their time and talents can make a difference.
“People often want to help but aren’t sure where to start,” said Adam Powell, President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “Fort Worth Serves is about helping people take that first step and connecting them with organizations that need their time and talents. When we make service more accessible, we create more opportunities to meet our neighbors’ needs and build a stronger community.”
Businesses can organize employee volunteer days, schools and faith communities can coordinate group projects, and individuals and families can explore opportunities that match their interests and availability. Organizations with existing volunteer programs are encouraged to participate, welcome new volunteers and contribute their service hours toward the collective goal.
“There is no single way to serve, and you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to get involved,” said Alli D’Acosta, President of the Junior League of Fort Worth. “Each of us brings different experiences, abilities and passions. Fort Worth Serves is an invitation to put those gifts to work, build relationships and discover how helping others can strengthen our entire community.”
Throughout the campaign, participating organizations and volunteers will be encouraged to share their experiences, invite others to get involved and report volunteer hours through a coordinated process. The effort will culminate in a communitywide report during National Volunteer Month in April 2027.
“500,000 hours gives us a shared goal, but the purpose is not simply to count hours,” Crain said. “It’s to help people find where they belong in the work of serving others. Every hour represents someone choosing to show up, meet a need and make Fort Worth a little better for someone else.”
Residents are encouraged to visit JustServe.org to explore volunteer opportunities that match their interests, skills and availability. Nonprofits, schools, faith communities and other organizations are encouraged to list their volunteer opportunities on the website to connect with residents ready to serve. For additional information about participating in Fort Worth Serves and reporting volunteer hours, contact Brandy Ward at Brandy.Ward@fortworthtexas.gov or 817-933-2039.