Center for Transforming Lives earns Program of the Year from National Women's Shelter Network

October 30, 2026

Fort Worth, TEXAS (October 2026) – Center for Transforming Lives has earned Program of the Year for its state-of-the-art, trauma-informed Riverside Campus from the National Women’s Shelter Network (NWSN).

The award, given at the NWSN annual conference, recognizes the Riverside Campus as a national model for trauma-informed design, highlighting how the thoughtful use of space, materials and architectural elements create an environment that offers women and children in crisis, who have experienced traumatic life events, both dignity and a sense of safety and hope.

Designed by nationally renowned Bennett Partners, the unique architecture incorporates healing principles inside and out and has already received several awards including the American Institute of Architects Fort Worth Community Impact Award for outstanding architectural design.

“Our bodies have an immediate response to physical spaces, so we created an environment that focuses on comfort, community and felt safety,” said Carol Klocek, president and CEO of Center for Transforming Lives. “There are so many thoughtful touches, from the design to the way the outdoors has been invited in, but what we’re most excited about is the impact that this new campus has had on our community.”

Center for Transforming Lives moved into its new Riverside Campus in May 2025, following a successful $40 million capital campaign. The campus has allowed the nonprofit to increase its service delivery by 30% and includes a flagship child development center with a healing playground; a state-of-the-art economic mobility center – Riverside Coworking – with desks, commercial kitchen, makerspace and content creation studios; mobile health rooms where partner agencies administer care; a drop-in child care center; a clinical counseling wing; housing services; a donation and distribution center; and training and development rooms available for rent.

A former Montgomery Ward department store, the campus was transformed from a 1950s-era, all-concrete building, vacant since the 1990s. As an agency that serves mothers and children with high rates of trauma, the priority was designing a welcoming environment that creates a sense of safety and belonging. The transformation of the building is rooted in trauma-informed design, biophilic elements and universal design. Together, these principles shape a welcoming, inclusive and healing environment.

The interior features peaceful colors, natural light, integration of nature, noise suppression and sensory considerations, all of which are shown to lessen anxiety and depression and support a process of repair and recovery toward well-being. The trauma-informed design is incorporated into everything from the fabric on the furniture to the lighting to the acoustic panels to the color selections, all promoting healing.

Thoughtful design continues beyond the building’s walls, with tree preservation and a landscape plan that transforms a walk from the bus stop into a moment of beauty. A large playground and outdoor learning area allows teachers in the flagship Early Childhood Education Center to deliver lessons outdoors, encouraging children to connect with nature, utilize all five senses and improve physical fitness. A meditation garden in the middle of the building brings the outdoors in, while also providing a peaceful space for participants and staff to enjoy the outdoors and reap mental and physical health benefits. Situated on approximately 14 acres of land, the remaining grounds will eventually be landscaped into an urban park setting, in consultation with Studio Outside.

Center for Transforming Lives

Center for Transforming Lives partners with single mothers and their children so they can thrive. Founded in 1907, the nonprofit one of Tarrant County’s biggest family safety nets, working to disrupt cycles of poverty and homelessness among the most vulnerable in our community. Center for Transforming Lives meets the needs of 4,000 women and children annually, through a comprehensive and evidence-based, two-generation and trauma-informed model. Thanks to housing support, early childhood education, economic mobility services and counseling services that work across generations, parents and children establish security and well-being as a family. Led by CEO Carol Klocek since 2009, the $26.4 million organization opened its new Riverside Campus headquarters in May 2025.

National Women’s Shelter Network

The National Women’s Shelter Network’s mission is to advance the safety, economic security, health and well-being of women, children, youth and families experiencing homelessness and support the shelters and safe havens serving them. The NWSN’s network includes 632 members that collectively support over 730,000 counseling sessions, 18 million shelter bed nights annually, and 29 million meals in 50 states and territories, serving more than 1 million women, children, youth and families. The NWSN helps those experiencing or at risk of homelessness find resources via its network; elevates the voices of women with lived experience and the shelters and safe havens that serve them across the nation; shares information, innovation, best practices and research; provides education, trainings, and capacity building; identifies gaps and needs and develops informed public and social policies; raises public awareness of the special needs of women, children, youth and families experiencing homelessness and the shelters and safe haven programs that serve them; advocates for more resources; and advances meaningful solutions to end and prevent homelessness.

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Media Contact:

Trish Rodriguez
Director for Communications
trodriguez@transforminglives.org
817-996-7330