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HISTORYFortress Ministries was established in 1996 as an inner-city church outreach, serving the needs of Fort Worth’s Near Southeast residents and homeless population. Reaching out to the neighborhood with hot lunches, a food pantry, clothing giveaways, and a Sunday worship service, it soon became clear that there was a need for an after-school program as well. The homeless community was being served very adequately by other nonprofits in the area, but it was clear that the children of the Near Southeast side needed more. Specifically, they needed social and academic resources that would help them overcome the trap of generational poverty and grow into productive adults. After much prayerful consideration, Fortress reorganized in 2005 and incorporated as Fortress Youth Development Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.THE NEEDFortress YDC acts as a buffer to some of the negative occurrences our students witness and to the environment in which they live. The most pressing issues in this urban community include:
Lack of academic opportunities and resources
- Emotional instability (due to abuse, lack of positive role models, and/or delayed emotional development)
- Deficient social skills (stemming from the lack of positive, authentic relationships and the lack of growth opportunitiesYouth crime (which tends to increase between the hours of 3pm and 7 pm)
- Illiteracy and school drop-out
THE SOLUTION
Fortress YDC has always believed that building strong relationships with the youth and families who participate in its programs is the key to igniting hope, effecting change, and making a lasting difference in our community. Fortress YDC serves more than 70 children on a daily basis through our preschool, after-school, and summer programs. Relationally based, unconditionally committed and Christ-centered, our staff and volunteers strive to form authentic relationships with children and youth, equipping them with life skills using the best educational resources available.THE NUMBERS
- Fortress YDC is overseen by a Board of Directors, run by an full-time executive staff of three, and employs a part-time staff of ten.
- Fortress currently serves 70 students each day, with a waiting list in each program.
- 80% of our elementary-aged students have been assigned mentors; our goal is for 100% of our kids to have the opportunity to bond with a mentor.
- Each week, Fortress students consume 300+ juice boxes during after-school snack time and dinner.
- On average, students utilizing our Literacy Lab experience an increase of 2 grade levels in their reading comprehension during each 9-month period using the software.Fortress YDC is blessed by 100 individual volunteers each year, including 35 mentors, 6 Building Blocks staff, and various tutors, teachers, and event helpers. Additionally, we enjoy volunteer groups throughout the summer who choose Fortress as their “mission trip”, conducting work camps in the neighborhood, and facilitating our Summer program.
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