In an effort to support local education and workforce innovation, Communities Foundation Of Texas has provided $7.5M in grants to the following organizations with a goal of “helping Texas students thrive in school, in a career and in life:”
- Aspire to Learn ($500,000) – to support Aspire’s workforce training program for Certified Operator Of Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT), Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) and Certified Logistic Association (CLA).
- AT LAST! ($1,500,000) – to support the development of AT LAST!’s second residential facility. An additional building will allow AT LAST! to serve 82 more kids, connecting youth to the “scholars-in-residence” program. This provides a “boarding experience” for elementary students attending nearby schools. AT LAST! focuses on the time children are outside of school, connecting them to quality academic support, technology, counseling, and more.
- Café Momentum ($500,000) – to support Café Momentum’s new flagship location. Café Momentum is a nonprofit restaurant that provides workforce development to justice-involved youth. Its new building will allow the organization to serve 20% more individuals, provide enhanced wraparound services, and improve overall financial performance.
- The Commit Partnership – Dallas County Promise ($3,000,000) – to support the development of the Economic Mobility Center. It will also improve real-time data access across five participating Dallas school districts through an integrated regional data infrastructure created by Economic Mobility Systems, and increase the presence of Education is Freedom* in Dallas County.
- Paul Quinn College ($250,000) – to support the PQC Campus Master Plan. PQC is seeking to transform its campus into a self-sustaining, community-oriented “planned city” that will serve both PQC students and the surrounding neighborhood. Within the approximate 140 acres of the campus, PQC intends to serve as an economic incubator for community development in several areas: education, housing, small business operations, food security, and community health.
- Texas Woman’s University ($250,000) – to support the development and growth of the TWU Dallas Campus through the creation of a strategic plan, helping set the course for the school over the next decade.
- University of Texas at Arlington ($250,000) to support UTA’s Emerging Mavericks program, which will serve the unique needs of students who are alumni of the foster care system, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
- Year Up United ($1,380,000) – to support Year Up United’s work-based learning program. Year Up United’s program trains young adults in a variety of technical skills via a two-part process that combines classroom instruction on professional and technical skills and an internship. Participants receive support services and an educational stipend. Those who complete the program earn a Year Up United certificate.
According to CFT President/CEO Wayne White, “Two out of three young adults in Dallas County don’t currently earn a living wage. The local nonprofits we’re funding are going above and beyond in innovative and new ways to equip students for success, ensuring the individuals they serve become strong competitors in a variety of job markets. Each grantee works to make higher education and workforce training accessible, helping more students secure in-demand careers and financial independence.”
*Education is Freedom is a key partner in this effort to advance economic mobility, providing comprehensive career planning and college readiness services to middle and high school students across the county.
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