Our Efforts

Las Vegas Trail is a healthcare services desert. In particular, there is a lack of a health clinic and family and pediatric practitioners in or near LVT. Improving health outcomes for LVT residents means more than bringing new healthcare facilities and doctors to the area. LVT residents want to improve the health of individuals, families, and the community as a whole. This means looking at health as much more than healthcare, but instead, as a network of spaces and programs that promote wellness, learning, healing, and health. And, making sure that spaces and resources are available to all residents, regardless of age, ability, or language. Imagine a future where the whole neighborhood is a Health Village, full of places that support healthy living, and wellness, and improve the lives of residents and families. The Las Vegas Trail neighborhood is missing something that could help to provide real amenities for residents - trails. It’s time to put the “trail” in Las Vegas Trail. Combined with improvements to local streets and parks, LVT could be transformed with new places to grow food, ride bikes, walk, exercise and meet neighbors. A potential approach to creating new off-street trails and community spaces (including urban agriculture) lies in repurposing undeveloped land within utility easements. This requires coordination with Oncor around their restrictions for the use of the land below the power lines. There are successful examples of this approach in Texas.

To support individual growth, LVTRise strives to provide high-quality educational and workforce development opportunities through one-on-one coaching and counseling support. This allows community members to further their own intellectual knowledge, obtain and sustain a job, enhancing the overall family structure. With over 42 languages spoken in the geographical footprint of Las Vegas Trail, a limited English proficiency is one of the major obstacles we are faced with when assisting community members overcome hardships. The library is providing weekly on-site English as Second Language courses to directly address the high demand for access to language courses. Of the 297 residents directly served by the Community Aide, 61 had no income and 179 had income less than $40,000 per year. With new local capacity and catalytic investment, the Neighborhood Transformation Plan ensured that community input drives further improvements toward community goals. Through the creation of this plan, new community assets and amenities will become part of a thoughtful and coordinated system of improvements that will make a meaningful and lasting impact on the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood for years to come. The living wage for a family in Tarrant County is $65,962 and according to the US Census, a median income for a family in Las Vegas Trail is $34,360

Since 1990, the LVT community has changed, but the types of housing and neighborhood services in the area did not change to meet the needs of these new residents. Today, the area has a high density of aging, multifamily housing compared to other areas in Fort Worth, and these properties are occupied by a diverse and primarily low-income community. Critically, Las Vegas Trail lacks the neighborhood commercial core and services that are typical in other neighborhoods in Fort Worth. Residents have to travel outside the neighborhood for healthcare and other daily needs. There are a total of 7,257 housing units in the community of which 84% (about 6,000 units) are in multi-family apartments. The remaining units are single-family with a handful (3%) being duplex and townhouse units. The 34 existing apartment complexes are largely built as gated communities with controlled entries and fencing. The complexes also vary greatly in terms of condition. Some are well maintained, but others are in poor condition with clear evidence of deferred maintenance and neglect.

Throughout the year, LVTRise hosted a series of Education Committee meetings where we heard from school leadership directly and brainstormed in real time to provide realistic solutions and support. Parent Engagement has been identified as a top need and LVTRise is working to address this issue through staying connected with FWISD staff, being present at school events, hosting parent meetings and continuing to grow the Education Committee. LVTRise was actively involved in on campus events, as well as events hosted at our campus that directly support students and their families. A few examples include a Health Fair at Leonard Middle School, supplying fundraising supplies to help support the Yearbook Club, speakers for Career Day at Western Hills Elementary, a Scholastic Book Fair at both Western Hills Primary and Elementary where each student took home a book, supplies for College Signing Day and breakfast for A/B Honor celebrations. At LVTRise, education remains at the heart of our mission. Through regular Education Committee Meetings and support for events in the Western Hills Pyramid and IDEA Rise campus, we stay actively engaged in our community. In 2024, we officially merged with Cougar Pride Alliance—an exciting step that brought Cougar Corner at Western Hills High School under our umbrella. This partnership strengthens our services and deepens our support for students and their families. Cougar Corner will continue to serve students on campus, thanks to the enduring support of alumni and community partners. Together, we’re building a stronger future—one student at a time. Additionally, we are proud to partner with Go Beyond Grades, a powerful effort to improve literacy rates in Fort Worth. We're grateful to be part of this meaningful work and take pride in connecting families with resources that support student success.

LVTRise impacts safety by providing after-school programs in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, building police and community engagement, and aiding to ease any racial tensions that may occur in the area. A safe neighborhood is a steppingstone for regeneration and enrichment, community-wide. We value the relationships we hold with our local law enforcement and their efforts to put trust and hope back into the Las Vegas Trail community.