United Way of Tarrant County leaders pledged to fundraise $100 million in funds to address social, economic, health and safety issues residents face during a centennial celebration Thursday in front of Arlington’s Globe Life Field.

Leah King, United Way of Tarrant County president, said the celebration was a reflection of its first 100 years of work in the community–and how much more work remains unfinished.

She pointed to a long car line adjacent to the press event for Tarrant Area Food Bank distribution as proof of the need in the community.

“I think all of you who got caught in the line for the food bank this morning got to see that really up front and very personal. It’s real, folks. It’s real, and people are struggling,” King said.

King and other speakers noted Tarrant County’s 32nd-place ranking for health in the state, food insecurity rates that sit 40% above the national average, and housing that is unaffordable to at least 100,000 residents.

“We love Tarrant County, but we need to make sure you also understand that the facts of some of the circumstances that exist in Tarrant County don’t lie,” King said.

King says the organization is focused on four areas: community health, community response, financial empowerment, and education.

She added that United Way of Tarrant County, in addition to coalescing local nonprofits, also incubates a myriad of programs and services, including programming on aging, Mission United, Braver Together and One Second Collaborative.

Speakers, then audience members, unveiled a United Way mural that was hidden by more than 350 magnets bearing one of the county’s 64 ZIP codes, as well as facts about county demographics and disparities, such as the life expectancy of residents in Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code that is 12 years lower than the national average.

Former Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and his wife, Karen Williams, announced they will head United Way of Tarrant County’s Second Century Campaign that will oversee the fundraising effort. Williams called on leaders to rally their communities.

“We have seen so many needs. In fact, every day, people are coming to the mayors of their cities, they’re coming out to the nonprofits of their cities crying for help,” Jeff Williams said.

Williams says United Way has received large donations from GM Financial, the Rainwater Foundation, BNSF Railway, Tarrant County, Fort Worth city government and the Paul E. Andrews, Jr. Foundation.

Disclosure: Rainwater Foundation is a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report.

Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. He can be reached at cristian.arguetasoto@fortworthreport.org or (817) 317-6991.

Kailey Broussard is a reporter for KERA and The Texas Newsroom through Report for America (RFA). Broussard covers the city of Arlington, with a focus on local and county government accountability. Got a tip? Email Kailey Broussard at kbroussard@kera.org. You can follow Kailey on Twitter @KaileyBroussard.

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Tarrant County statistics ‘don’t lie.’ That’s why United Way is launching this centennial campaign

by Cristian ArguetaSoto and Kailey Broussard | KERA, Fort Worth Report
November 17, 2022

<h1>Tarrant County statistics ‘don’t lie.’ That’s why United Way is launching this centennial campaign</h1> <p class="byline">by Cristian ArguetaSoto and Kailey Broussard | KERA, Fort Worth Report <br />November 17, 2022</p> <p><a href="https://www.unitedwaytarrant.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Way of Tarrant County</a>&nbsp;leaders pledged to fundraise $100 million in funds to address social, economic, health and safety issues residents face during a centennial celebration Thursday in front of Arlington’s Globe Life Field.</p> <p>Leah King, United Way of Tarrant County president, said the celebration was a reflection of its first 100 years of work in the community–and how much more work remains unfinished.</p> <p>She pointed to a long car line adjacent to the press event for Tarrant Area Food Bank distribution as proof of the need in the community.</p> <p>“I think all of you who got caught in the line for the food bank this morning got to see that really up front and very personal. It’s real, folks. It’s real, and people are struggling,” King said.</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59102" data-id="59102" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-11-1024x576.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Guests at United Way of Tarrant County's centennial celebration remove magnetic from a piece of art that will be on display beginning Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59101" data-id="59101" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-10-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Opal Lee reads a fact from the back of a magnetic ZIP code. The ZIP codes unveiled a piece of art that will be on display beginning on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59100" data-id="59100" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-9-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Jeff Williams and Karen Williams, the campaign chairs of the newly launched Second Century Campaign, read facts from the backs of magnetic ZIP codes. The ZIP codes unveiled a piece of art that will be on display beginning on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59099" data-id="59099" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-8-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Opal Lee, her daughter, and Leah King, the president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County, remove magnetic ZIP codes from a piece of art that will be on display at Globe Life Field for the next two months. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59098" data-id="59098" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-7-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, left, and United Way of Tarrant County board chair Hadley Woerner, right, listen to speakers on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59097" data-id="59097" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-6-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Former Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and his wife Karen Williams speak at the centennial celebration of United Way of Tarrant County. Jeff and Karen are the campaign chairs for the Second Century Campaign with the goal of raising $100 million. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59096" data-id="59096" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-5-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Guests watch a United Way of Tarrant County video on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. United Way of Tarrant County celebrated its centennial and the creation of the Get United campaign. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59095" data-id="59095" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-4-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County Leah King talks about the need for the organization in the communities. King said housing is unaffordable in the county and we should want to do better. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59094" data-id="59094" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-3-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Sports commentator Chuck Morgan emcees on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. United Way of Tarrant County celebrated its centennial and the creation of the Get United campaign. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59093" data-id="59093" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-2-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Arlington Mayor Jim Ross proclaims the United Way of Tarrant County centennial day as "Get United Day" on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-59092" data-id="59092" src="https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CAS_globelife-1-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Opal Lee, right, and United Way of Tarrant County President and CEO Leah King listen to speakers on Nov. 17 at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr. United Way of Tarrant County celebrated its centennial and the creation of the Get United campaign. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>King and other speakers noted Tarrant County’s 32nd-place ranking for health in the state, food insecurity rates that sit 40% above the national average, and housing that is unaffordable to at least 100,000 residents.</p> <p>“We love Tarrant County, but we need to make sure you also understand that the facts of some of the circumstances that exist in Tarrant County don’t lie,” King said.</p> <p>King says the organization is focused on four areas: community health, community response, financial empowerment, and education.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CrisArguetaSoto/status/1593292609312522240 </div> </figure> <p>She added that United Way of Tarrant County, in addition to coalescing local nonprofits, also incubates a myriad of programs and services, including programming on aging, Mission United, Braver Together and One Second Collaborative.</p> <p>Speakers, then audience members, unveiled a United Way mural that was hidden by more than 350 magnets bearing one of the county’s 64 ZIP codes, as well as facts about county demographics and disparities, such as the life expectancy of residents in Fort Worth’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article244137362.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">76104</a>&nbsp;ZIP code that is 12 years lower than the national average.</p> <p>Former Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and his wife, Karen Williams, announced they will head United Way of Tarrant County’s Second Century Campaign that will oversee the fundraising effort. Williams called on leaders to rally their communities.</p> <p>“We have seen so many needs. In fact, every day, people are coming to the mayors of their cities, they’re coming out to the nonprofits of their cities crying for help,” Jeff Williams said.</p> <p>Williams says United Way has received large donations from GM Financial, the Rainwater Foundation, BNSF Railway, Tarrant County, Fort Worth city government and the Paul E. Andrews, Jr. Foundation.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p><em>Disclosure:</em> <em>Rainwater Foundation is a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report</em>.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p><em>Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cristian.arguetasoto@fortworthreport.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cristian.arguetasoto@fortworthreport.org</a>&nbsp;or (817) 317-6991.</em></p> <p><em>Kailey Broussard is a reporter for KERA and The Texas Newsroom through Report for America (RFA). Broussard covers the city of Arlington, with a focus on local and county government accountability.&nbsp;Got a tip? Email Kailey Broussard at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kbroussard@kera.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kbroussard@kera.org</a>. You can follow Kailey on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KaileyBroussard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@KaileyBroussard.</a></em></p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://fortworthreport.org/2022/11/17/tarrant-county-statistics-dont-lie-thats-why-united-way-is-launching-this-centennial-campaign/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://fortworthreport.org">Fort Worth Report</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://fortworthreport.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=59142&amp;ga3=UA-194640723-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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