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Dear friends,
When we first dreamed about the place that we’d build our new campus, one of the ideas was to take a ‘big box store’ and rehab it. I was adamantly opposed. No way. I envisioned placing Center for Transforming Lives in a strip mall and I couldn’t imagine anything further from the trauma-informed, inspirational campus I wanted for the families engaged in our programs. However, when the old Montgomery Ward department store at S. Riverside and Berry was suggested, I was intrigued. It was on 14 acres and close to a beautiful park setting, with Sycamore Creek to the east. It was an audacious project, including more than 100,000 square feet of space to renovate. It would take tremendous work, but we can do hard things. We would just need to dream big. And raise some big dollars.
To raise big dollars, I needed to get out the word to the community about what we were doing. After the silent phase of our campaign, I was everywhere. I spoke with Sunday School classes, Rotary Clubs, associations, breakfast groups, elected officials, retirement home gatherings….you name it, I was there. (The wildest was the evening that turned into a sing along of old show tunes because only two people came, and one decided to play the piano instead of listening to me talk!)
What I came to understand through these many hundreds of conversations, was that this old Montgomery Ward Department Store was a place of significant history in East Fort Worth. For one man, it was where he had earned his first dollar. He donated $1,000 to the campaign. For another man, it was his stop for water between school and his after-school job. A woman told me about how she spent her Saturdays there with her grandmother at the on-site grocery store. I heard over and over that, in the early 60s, it was the place to see and be seen, where you’d wear your best to go shopping. In later years, the parking lot was where break dancing competitions were held at night…at least until the police arrived to break up the party.
That Montgomery Ward and the attached shopping center was the heart of the community until it rapidly began to empty and then sat vacant for decades. Only a shell surrounded by asphalt remaining.
Center for Transforming Lives is bringing back vibrancy, community, commerce, hope and inspiration to a neighborhood that is ready for change. The City of Fort Worth and developers have made investments in the neighborhood nearby. Alongside these improvements, our purpose-built facility will be a catalyst for family support and stabilization and economic growth, and will create positive changes for generations to come. We’ve truly changed the landscape. Please plan to attend our Grand Opening on May 2 or book a tour later this year. We can’t wait to see you there!
In deep gratitude,
Carol Klocek
Chief Executive Officer
Categories: Words on the Wing
