One Second Collaborative Grantees Help Families Rebuild & Recover from Gun Violence
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 support. They helped Miranda and her children move to a safer place, giving them a renewed sense of security.
"They helped me keep a roof over my kids' heads, provided food when we needed it, paid for transportation and helped us find a permanent home," Miranda said. "I would recommend this program to any family needing help during hard times. They went above and beyond for me and my kids."
LVTRise began as the Las Vegas Trail Revitalization Project, aiming to strengthen the community by tackling major challenges such as crime, unemployment and educational disparities. By providing immediate support while fostering sustainable solutions, LVTRise is dedicated to driving long-term positive change in the Las Vegas Trail area.
Built in the 1940s to house military families, the Las Vegas Trail area changed significantly after Carswell Air Force Base transitioned to a joint reserve base in the 1990s. Today, the Las Vegas Trail community is home to over 14,000 adults and 20,000 children facing challenges due to outdated infrastructure and limited job opportunities. Twenty-three percent of the households are led by single parents.
Dedicated to supporting these residents, LVTRise offers a range of programs beyond basic needs. These include parenting and financial literacy classes, as well as legal aid, banking services and case management. The organization also works to strengthen community-police relations and provides after-school activities, mobile units and health screenings to foster a safer, healthier environment.
United Way of Tarrant County's One Second Collaborative (OSC) made the assistance Miranda and her family received possible. Launched in 2022, OSC funds community efforts to provide outreach, education, counseling and life coaching. By bringing in partner organizations like LVTRise, OSC aims to foster resilience and safety for all community members.
After the tragic incident in May 2024 when several young people were shot in the Las Vegas Trail area, LVTRise provided each family with onsite case management services in partnership with Mothers of Murdered Angels, another organization that is a part of the One Second Collaborative.
Shortly after this incident, LVTRise held a town hall meeting to promote community healing led by local mental health partner C.H.A.M.P. As a result, a weekly summer healing program was created for the local families, which included youth activities and community events led by partner organizations.
With support from the OSC, LVTRise continues to make a positive impact on families throughout the Las Vegas Trail community. To learn more about OSC, visit unitedwaytarrant.org/one-second-collaborative.
*Name has been changed.
One Second Collaborative is supported with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth.
About LVTRise
LVTRise started as a mobile community center following town hall meetings that highlighted resource gaps in the Las Vegas Trail area. In 2018, it became a registered nonprofit, and in 2019, the Rise Community Center opened, offering a permanent space to serve residents. By 2021, the center expanded with a Fort Worth Public Library branch, broadening the range of resources available to the community.
The mission of LVTRise is to provide long-term socioeconomic solutions through community-driven services. LVTRise collaborates with residents of the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood to ensure programs align with local needs and goals.