Joyce Marshall
Lena Pope’s Early Learning Center
Lena Pope Early Learning Center
In Fort Worth, legacy matters. And few organizations carry a legacy like Lena Pope — the nearly 100-year-old nonprofit whose fingerprints are all over this city’s efforts to support kids and families. Now, as DFW Restaurant Week plates up across North Texas, Lena Pope is doubling down on what it does best with a new initiative designed to meet families exactly where they are.
It’s called Rooted Together — a bold community education and engagement program that branches out from the group’s foundational work in counseling, education, and behavioral health, according to a release.
“We know families are facing tremendous challenges, especially now with fewer resources in schools and community agencies in today’s economic climate,” CEO of Lena Pope, Ashley Barnes, says. “This new initiative allows us to meet families where they are and provide tools that help them thrive through all stages of life.”
Rooted Together is made up of four parts, each built to support the whole ecosystem of a child’s development — and the grown-ups trying to raise them right.
- Strong Foundations brings national experts to Fort Worth for live events at the Amon Carter Center, covering parenting, mental health, and more.
- Strong Families offers hands-on workshops and activities for caregivers looking to build deeper, more resilient relationships at home.
- Strong Communities invites local businesses and groups to bring in Lena Pope pros for complimentary, research-backed talks on everything from child development to juvenile justice.
- Strong Voices, a new podcast launching in Spring 2026, will tackle trending topics in real time.
Rooted Together grew out of direct feedback from families — who kept asking for ways to stay connected, even after formal services ended.
“With our knowledgeable and experienced staff, and 95 years of working with kids and families, Lena Pope is uniquely positioned to be the community resource families can rely on,” Barnes said.
