United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC), on behalf of the One Second Collaborative (OSC), announced the investment of $2.1 million to 18 organizations working to reduce youth gun violence. This initial phase of OSC funding primarily supports organizations and programs focused primarily on outreach, intervention and reentry.
“We are proud to support and boost the work of organizations here in our community that have demonstrated success in reducing youth gun violence in Tarrant County,” said Regina Williams, UWTC’s executive vice president and chief impact officer. “This issue is far too large to address in a silo. It requires integration of efforts across our county to make a lasting impact.”
Launched in December 2022, the One Second Collaborative is an evidence-based approach to addressing youth violence through the unification and coordination of numerous community-based organizations that deliver outreach, education, workforce training, internships, referrals for basic needs and other supports to everyday challenges young people and their families are experiencing. UWTC, the Fort Worth Police Department, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and countless community stakeholders have come together to make up this Collaborative.
In addition to investing in organizations working to reduce gun violence, the One Second Collaborative steering committee is establishing work groups focused on multi-sector mental health, communication, tools and resources, outreach in real time, parent/caregiver education and mentor recruitment. The OSC team also is working to create a youth advisory board to bring youth perspectives and solutions to the program and is forming a multi-disciplinary team to offer wrap-around services to youth and families in need.
Financial support for the initiative and these grants comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth.
Recipients of initial-phase funding include:
| Alliance Child & Family Solutions: | $80,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County: | $75,000 |
| Building Pathways, Inc.: | $200,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County, Inc.: | $40,000 |
| Community Frontline: | $50,000 |
| Fort Worth Connect, Inc.: | $100,000 |
| Journey4ward: | $61,752 |
| LVTRise: | $50,531 |
| Mothers of Murdered Angels: | $50,000 |
| Recovery Resource Council: | $115,000 |
| Seasons of Change, Inc.: | $125,000 |
| Safe City Commission (dba One Safe Place): | $50,000 |
| Strategies to Elevate People of Color: | $75,000 |
| Survive and Thrive Education: | $59,760 |
| Violence Intervention and Prevention Fort Worth (VIP Ft. Worth): | $800,000 |
| Volunteers of America Texas: | $20,000 |
| YMCA of Metro Fort Worth: | $100,000 |
| Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.(YAP): | $100,000 |
Applications for the next round of grant funding will be accepted in early 2024.
