The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Begins its 15th Year of Grant Giving
By Arlington Tomorrow Foundation
Posted on January 20, 2022, January 20, 2022

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is celebrating 15 years of community giving.

This year, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is celebrating 15 years of community giving. During the board of directors meeting on January 18, 2022, the Foundation announced its 15th Anniversary plans to highlight major projects that have contributed to a thriving Arlington since 2007. The official celebration will be held during North Texas Giving Day on September 22, 2022. The board also approved three new grants, after receiving recommendations from their Advisory Board.

Arlington Water Utilities will be awarded a $10,000 grant for a Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden.

The 2.75-acre demonstration garden will feature 2,000 square feet of garden beds for ornamental native plants surrounded by a meadow of native prairie grasses and wildflowers suitable for home landscapes. The garden will be on city property at the edge of Lake Arlington and overseen by City of Arlington and Tarrant Regional Water District staff, which has donated $5,000 to the project.

The Native Plant and Pollinator Garden will support the natural environment by strengthening pollinator initiatives like the Bee City USA designation and the Mayor's Monarch Initiative and will provide opportunities for volunteers and students to learn about and participate in native prairie restoration. Events and classes held at the site will also encourage residents of all ages to consider their connection to the natural environment and what they can do to preserve our city's natural resources.

The project will include:

  • 2.75 acres of native prairie, with wildflowers and grasses suitable for home landscapes
  • 5 garden beds for ornamental native plants, 400 sq. ft. each
  • One large area for group event (100-150 people), 1,260 sq. ft.
  • Parking to accommodate 40+ vehicles.
  • 1,200 linear feet of 8-ft. wide pathways

Helping residents learn about the conservation value and beauty of drought-tolerant, native plants is important to Arlington Water Utilities, and connecting residents with Lake Arlington also helps increase understanding of the way drinking water is provided to the city.

Destiny Empowerment Enterprises, Inc. will be awarded a $20,000 grant for launching Career and Technical Education for Underserved Individuals.

Since 1999, Destiny Empowerment Enterprises, Inc. (DEE, Inc.) has worked to enhance the lives of low income, minority children and families by serving as a preliminary community outreach center, offering a series of targeted academic and social programs designed to meet the needs of all citizens, regardless of ethnic or economic background.

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program for underserved, minority individuals in Arlington and Tarrant County communities, will be organized by career clusters and led by industry experts. DEE, Inc. will utilize both staff and volunteers/partners from numerous industries to facilitate individual career training courses. Facilitators will help participants to narrow their interests further and design an education plan for achieving career goals. Courses will encourage participants to explore and prepare for careers in Minor Maintenance, Hospitality and Banquet Services.

The CTE program will be free to the public and will serve approximately 150 adults, ages 18 and above. The program will occur for 12 weeks with three sessions held four days per week. Participants will be empowered with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for a successful, long-term occupation. Upon conclusion of the program, participants will earn the certifications needed to start their careers. Childcare will be offered to individuals attending the program, providing a safe environment and nutritious meals to the child(ren) while the parent/guardian partakes in the weekly training sessions.

Methodist Justice Ministry will be awarded a $15,000 grant to provide Legal Representation for Indigent Women and Children escaping domestic violence in Arlington.

The mission of Methodist Justice Ministry (MJM) is to provide light and hope to these families who have experienced neglect and domestic violence by providing free legal representation and ongoing support to ensure that the children are with a caring and protective caregiver and the women can lead a life without the fear of violence and abuse. MJM is the only pro bono legal organization in Tarrant County that accepts these sometimes-complicated cases.

The children served through MJM are at a higher risk for falling into a pattern of societal problems such as abusive relationships, school failure, drug and alcohol abuse, and depression. Children who experience child abuse and neglect are about 9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity that continues into adulthood and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention links domestic violence with an average life expectancy two decades shorter than those growing up in a violence free home.

MJM goals and objectives:

  • Provide free legal services that will lift children and women out of abuse, poverty, and neglect and provide them with a stable, nurturing home environment.
  • Ensure that children and women are placed with a stable, nurturing caregiver while permanent arrangements are being made.
  • Establish permanent homes in a safe and nurturing environment and keep them out of abusive homes or foster care.
  • Provide ongoing resources (such as counseling, basic needs, etc.) to clients, until these children reach legal age.
    Increase the number of counseling sessions.
  • Provide case management services that will link families to the best possible care including access to housing, medical care, job training, and educational opportunities.

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is proud to contribute to a thriving Arlington by working with local charities and city programs which promises to make Arlington a better place for all of us to call home.

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation
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