Center for Transforming Lives

CTL disrupts the cycle of generational poverty that entraps thousands of Tarrant County families, particularly vulnerable populations of women with children in poverty and crisis. Our overarching goal is to help Tarrant County families, particularly those headed by single women of color, escape and recover from poverty and homelessness while building cycles of emotional and financial well-being. Given the specific needs of impoverished and low-income women with children, CTL provides four integrated services designed to help 1,200+ families annually overcome the root causes of poverty:

-Early Childhood Education: Provides no- and low-cost, year-round childcare, education, and social-emotional development to low-income families with children birth to 5-years-old. Annual goal: serve 600+ children birth-five, with children assessing at 80% across learning domains.

-Economic Mobility Services: Provides comprehensive and integrated access to workforce readiness education, financial coaching, and small business development resources to participants on the path to independence. Annual goal: serve 500+ families with women meeting individual financial goals, including increased income, decreased debt and improved credit scores.

-Housing: Provides housing and shelter to participants and children experiencing homelessness. Utilizes services to improve well-being and transition into permanent housing and independence. Annual goal: safely house 600+ women and children, connecting them with comprehensive services and wrap-around care.

-Clinical: CTL is expanding its clinical counseling services in 2023. These services provide evidence-based counseling to address mental, behavioral and emotional challenges for adults and children who have experienced traumatic life events. Annual goal: increase the emotional well-being of 200+ mothers and their children.

CTL's desired results are for income-constrained families to improve their life trajectories by improving housing stability, financial well-being, and mental health and for children to be socially, emotionally, and educationally school-ready. Family success indicators include: maintained housing, increased stability and emotional well-being, improved credit scores, increased income, savings and assets, and decreased debt.

Organizationally, our goals include:
-DEVELOP AND EXPAND A TRAUMA-INFORMED, TWO-GENERATION ARRAY OF SUSTAINABLE, TRANSFORMATIVE SERVICES THAT EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

-DEEPEN THE COMMUNITY'S (TARRANT COUNTY) UNDERSTANDING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY AND INCREASE SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS THAT BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.

-GROW THE FOUNDATION FOR CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING LIVES TO INCREASE CAPACITY TO MEET STRATEGIC AND OPERATING FUNDING NEEDS OF THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING LIVES.

CTL’s overarching goal is for the families we serve to build long-term economic security and build cycles of emotional well-being that improve the life trajectories of both women and their children. To achieve this complex goal, CTL adopts a strategic approach based on a proven two-generation model, which recognizes that the well-being and success of both women and their children are interdependent. By addressing the needs and aspirations of both generations simultaneously, CTL aims to create positive cycles of growth and development spanning multiple generations.

More specifically, CTL’s strategy involves providing four integrated, complementary services simultaneously to women and their children, each service addressing various aspects of family life and well-being. For example, CTL provides financial educational opportunities and job-readiness programs for women, helping them enhance their employability and financial independence. At the same time, CTL offers high-quality early childhood education and childcare services for the children, ensuring their developmental needs are met and that mothers have childcare needed to participate in the programs, work or seek educational attainment.

CTL’s strategy encompasses four programming pillars:
-Early Childhood Education: Provides no- and low-cost, year-round childcare, education, and social-emotional development to low-income families with children birth to 5-years-old.
-Economic Mobility Services: Provides comprehensive and integrated access to workforce readiness education, financial coaching, and small business development resources to participants on the path to independence.
-Housing: Provides housing and shelter to participants and children experiencing homelessness. Utilizes services to improve well-being and transition into permanent housing and independence.
-Clinical: These services provide evidence-based counseling to address mental, behavioral and emotional challenges for adults and children who have experienced traumatic life events that often accompany poverty and homelessness.

By integrating these services and aligning them with the specific needs of each family, CTL aims to create a holistic support system that empowers women and promotes the overall well-being of their children. This approach recognizes that breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving long-term economic security requires addressing both the immediate needs and long-term goals of the entire family unit.

As our annual results evidence, this strategic approach creates lasting impact by empowering women, supporting their children's development, and ultimately improving the life trajectories of both generations.