Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy Tosta

Born and raised in Southern California, Cindy Tosta moved to Fort Worth to be near her son and his family. The friendliness of the people she met in Texas made her transition easy, but something was still missing. Cindy yearned to be involved in her new community and as a former educator with “teaching in my soul,” she knew she wanted to work with kids. An internet search for volunteer opportunities introduced this former middle school English teacher to Fortress.

“When the opportunity presented itself, I was very excited,” Tosta said, and “when I came to Fortress for my interview with Miss Remy and saw the facility, I knew it was going to be a perfect match.”

Cindy is now a regular volunteer tutor in Fortress After School, where she meets weekly with a group of four elementary students. She describes the boys and girls she tutors as wonderful children who are sweet, polite and respectful.

But the tutoring sessions aren’t all work! Tosta says her students are “expert Connect Four players.”

“We do a little reading or a little math, but we always end our time together playing Connect Four. These four really keep me on my toes!”

When asked what she would tell someone considering volunteering at Fortress, Cindy said, “I would say, if you have a passion for helping children grow and reach their potential, Fortress is the place for you. The positive attitude that I see from the entire faculty assures me that the children who attend Fortress are in good hands.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to volunteer!”

***

Want to learn more about volunteering at Fortress? Follow Cindy’s example and visit us online! You can also contact Fortress Volunteer Coordinator, Remy Bucknor at remy@fortressfw.org to find the perfect place for you to make a difference in the lives of kids and families in Historic Southside.

Faces of Fortress: the Angwenyi Family

“I love it here,” says Patrice Angwenyi, a Fortress parent, former educator, and entrepreneur. “The colors, logo, messaging… it all feels very intentional. And Ms. Leticia? She is a Godsend.” A self-proclaimed “mama bear”, Patrice is very particular about who cares for her babies; two-year old Preston is in Ms. Leticia’s Foxes class, and 8-month old Titan is in our Baby Bears class. “The last three years have been full of change,” she describes. “I quit my full-time teaching job, dove into entrepreneur mode, and had two babies. Through all of that, I realized what I can and can’t do. I learned to ask for help.”

Fortress was right here in her neighborhood when she needed that help. A product of Historic Southside, she found her way back as an adult. She and husband Tweeti are the co-founders and owners of local neighborhood coffee shop “HustleBlendz”, located just blocks from Fortress. Touted as “the first cold brew bar in Texas”, their tiny shop has already made a giant impression on the local coffee landscape, having been honored as September’s 2023 TCU Small Business Spotlight Winner. Even more recently, HustleBlendz won two categories in FW Weekly’s Best of 2023 issue: Best Coffee and Best Place to Buy Coffee.

“My husband is my coach and my teammate,” she says. “We’ve built a lot together. He walks out the life that he talks. He celebrates people, gets in the dirt with people. I’ve never heard him raise his voice.” Patrice is a people person, too. “God has called me into sisterhood,” she says. “I’m an iron-sharpener, a champion of change.” In her years as a public school teacher, she often met teens who had given up, or worse, who had been given up on. “Who are we to evaluate worthiness? We don’t know who this kid is gonna be. We have to keep pouring in. Getting kids who say they can’t write… to write? That was my “why” as a teacher.”

And that’s one of the things she loves about Fortress - the why. “I feel safe here. I cannot serve anybody until I give myself to the Lord. I’m not performative, but it’s always just there. I feel that here, too. There’s an authenticity.” When asked where she sees herself in five years, outside still being a mama bear and Tweeti’s partner in life and business, Patrice answered with conviction. “Growing something, wherever he puts me.”

We whole-heartedly suggest the Southside Double Shot or the Million Dollar White Mocha. When you visit HustleBlendz, tell them Fortress sent ya!

Leaving a Legacy of Love – Part 2

Last month, we introduced the importance of establishing a legacy by leaving a gift in your Will to a meaningful organization or cause. Givers are often motivated to do so for four primary reasons: (1) it impacts lives for good beyond their own lifetime, (2) it brings their life a deeper sense of meaning, (3) it models generosity and compassion for their children or grandchildren, and (4) financial considerations and tax benefits. 

Even though most of us know a Will is important, less than half of adults in the US have one in place. For some, it just doesn’t come to mind while others are hesitant to create or update their Will for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of those reasons and a different way to think about each one!

1. My estate won’t be big enough to make an impact. You don’t need to be wealthy to have an impact! Sources suggest that the average size of an estate gift is around $50,000. And it’s not all about money! Estate gifts can include real estate, stocks, or even naming an organization as the beneficiary of an insurance policy. Regardless of your gift’s size or type, it can make a big difference for the cause(s) you care about.

2. I can’t leave an estate gift before knowing what the final value of my assets will be. Some people leave specific dollar amounts in their Will, but others choose to leave a percentage of their estate known as a “residual gift” after other commitments are settled. Even a small percentage can make a big difference!  

3. Estate plans are just for older people. The average age for a first Will is only 44. Anyone getting married, becoming a parent, traveling, or buying a house should consider a Will. Not only will it protect your assets and provide security for your loved ones, but conversations about a charitable gift in your Will are great opportunities to express your most deeply held values. It’s also a powerful way to model generosity to children and grandchildren.You might even allow them to share the joy of giving by helping pick the charity and the gift’s structure!

4. Creating a will is complicated. It doesn’t have to be! A trusted lawyer or financial planner can help make the process simple. Depending on the complexity of your estate, there are even a number of easy and inexpensive online options for creating a legal will. 

5. I can’t take care of my loved ones and leave a legacy gift. This is the most common barrier to leaving a gift in a Will. It’s a natural concern, and we fully support the notion that your loved ones come first. Most likely, however, after working through the numbers with a financial advisor, you will find that you can leave a percentage of your estate to charity while still having enough to support your loved ones.

Finally, some people put off their Will because they would rather not think about death at all! While this is natural and completely understandable, the reality is that a Will is much more about actively choosing what matters to us in life! In fact, Russell James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, compares the consideration of one’s Will to “visualizing the final chapter in one’s own biography.” What an empowering way to think about life and what really matters! 

A beautiful example of this manner of thinking is reflected in this testimonial from a longtime Friend of Fortress:

“My mom and I sat down recently to work out the details of her estate planning.  At 72, she's clear on how she'd like to distribute her assets, and that includes Fortress!  With help from her attorneys, she was able to choose how to leave a legacy of support.  She's included instructions in her will allocating specific funds to be given tax-free.  It was easy to do and she feels much better knowing she had control of the process.” 

Fortress would be grateful should you choose to leave a gift to our ministry in your estate plan. This “gift of a lifetime” is a beautiful way to lovingly impact lives in Historic Southside and to equip kids and families with the tools needed to build their own bridge from poverty to promise. If you do remember Fortress in your Will, we would be grateful if you would let us know (although doing so is not required). While it would be an honor to recognize your generosity, we promise to be respectful of your privacy, and will only do so with your permission and in a way that is meaningful to you and your family.

If you have further questions about an estate gift to Fortress, please don’t hesitate to contact our Executive Director Stacy Agee Martin (stacy@fortressfw.org) or Development Coordinator, Mike Skaggs (mike@fortressfw.org). Thanks for reading, and thanks for remembering Fortress as you consider the gift of a lifetime!

IS YOUR WILL UP TO DATE? Many people allow their Will to become out of date and inapplicable to their situation in life. Perhaps you made your Will when your children were born…and then left it untouched for many years. As time passes, circumstances change, so it is a good idea to review your Will every three to four years to make sure it’s up to date. 

DO YOU NEED ADVICE? We encourage you to seek professional advice when preparing your Will. Estate planning may be a straightforward process for some, but it can be more complex for others. Your financial advisor or lawyer can help you navigate this process with ease. There are also tax considerations for you and your loved ones when making a Will, so it’s always a good idea to take full advantage of expert advice!

Faces of Fortress: Remy Bucknor, Community Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

Remy Bucknor is rebuilding our volunteer program from the ground up after the pandemic shut it down three years ago. Almost a year into her role here, we sat down and “talked shop”.

“What drew you to apply for this job at Fortress?”
Honestly, the mission and seeing everything that Fortress represents. I was looking for anything in child advocacy or anything community-centered, and I thought that Fortress fit both of those things.

“Had you ever considered a career in volunteer management specifically?”
Not really. In college, I discovered a passion for volunteering. I mostly got involved because I was missing home and needed to be a part of something that was more than just volleyball and school. And I just love kids, so volunteering at the nearby elementary school was a good fit. It was a great experience. After college, I thought I wanted to be a coach, but five years into coaching [at a private school], something clicked in me that I really wasn’t reaching anyone in a meaningful way, and I began looking for something - anything, really - that would satisify that need.

“Is it everything you expected it to be?”
No, I’d say it’s different, but in a good way. It's more than I could've expected. It's so collaborative. We all work together to achieve one goal. So I’m not just working in volunteer management, but in programs as well.

“What is the favorite thing outside of your job description that you get to do?”
One of my favorite things is when the After School kids are asking, "Is [volunteer] Blake coming today, is Blake coming today?” and it happens to be the day he’s coming and I get to tell them yes." My least favorite would be having to change a diaper, but so far, so good.

“Looking back over the last year, what is a lesson you’ve learned about volunteer management?”
I want to reach back out to the connections I made early on. I pigeon-holed people into the specific jobs they volunteered to do, and now I think more broadly about how they can be plugged in all year. On the Community Relations side, it's cool to know that Fortress only had one connection [Historic Southside Neighborhood Association] when I started, and now I'm a part of so many groups and clubs to get Fortress's name out there: DOVIA Tarrant County (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies), Fort Worth’s Black Chamber of Commerce, and Fort Worth Climate Safe Neighborhood Coalition to name a few.

“What goals do you have as you enter your second year?”
My community goal is be more active, and less of a passive participant. To not just attend meetings, but to network more, especially at DOVIA. On the volunteer side, I’m working to define deeper aspects of each volunteer job. I want to create very distinct volunteer groups and individual volunteers and have lots of numbers. That's never a bad problem to have.

“What do you look for in new volunteers?”
What I’m looking for most is someone who is dependable, and who not only understands our mission but wants to join us in helping apply it in every way that they can.

“What do you feel is your personal responsibility to our mission of ‘building bridges from poverty to promise’?”
To try and further the promise part - bringing in resources and people and trying to put Fortress out there in any way we can so that the promise is actually there. I feel like I have the most fulfilling job here - getting to connect people to our mission who want to help meet it, and to see it be followed through.

YOU can be part of the mission! https://fortressfw.org/volunteer

Time Flies: Jaidah Then and Now

Jaidah is not the oldest student we have at Fortress - that honor belongs to Ja’Nautyca who is a few months older than her - but she has been here the longest, and that’s a fact that Jaidah is very proud of. Jaidah is bright, energetic, bold, and a natural leader. Ms. Stacy sat down for a quick chat to learn more about this future world changer. (Stacy sat. While she answered questions, Jaidah bounced around, did cartwheels and headstands, and managed to paint someone’s nails between all the action.)

Ms. Melissa & Jaidah, ca. 2017

Ms. Stacy: So Jaidah, what do think is special about being the Fortress Kid who’s been here the longest?
Jaidah: It’s cool because Ms. Melissa has known me longer than anyone else.
MsS: That’s right! Ms. Melissa used to be your teacher. Do you remember preschool? What did you like about it?
J: It was fun. We got to play all the time.
MsS: Right. Do you still like Fortress?
J: Sometimes.
MsS: The other day when you got on the bus, you said to Ms Kim, “Just so you know, everybody on this bus hates Fortress.” What was that about?
J: I do hate it when y’all try to teach us boring stuff. But I really don’t REALLY hate it.
Ms S: I don’t think you’d keep coming if you really hated it.

MsS: So what DO you like about Fortress?
J: The only thing I like is Ms. Stacy.
MsS: (laughing) I know that’s not true. You barely even see me.
J: But you gave me candy one time, so….
MsS: As a 5th grader, what’s your favorite thing now?
J: I love helping in the younger kids’ classes.
MsS: What do you like about it?
J: {shrug}
MsS: Do you get to boss them around? I bet you like that.
J: It’s fun to play with the little kids, but I also just like helping.

MsS: If you could spend the day at Fortress doing anything, what would it be?
J: Stay on my phone.
MsS: What do you want to be when you grow up?
J: A makeup artist! Or a hair artist.
MsS: How would your best friends describe you?
J: Weird. Fun.
MsS: And how would you describe yourself?
J: Weird. Mean. But not mean. More tomboyish.
MsS: What do you want the world to know about Jaidah?
J: People been sayin’ I’m bad, but I’m not. Also, I had a fight with a boy and I WON.

Leave a Legacy of Love

Beginning with the work of Fortress Church in the late 1990s, Fortress programs have a rich history of equipping children and parents who are working hard to build bridges out of generational poverty and into the promise of a better life. This work is possible only through the prayers, volunteer service, and donations of generous supporters who have opened their hearts to vulnerable families across Historic Southside.

For most people, providing for their family is a top priority in estate planning, and we agree! Loved ones should always be a major consideration, but it’s also important to consider causes that mean the most to you. Remembering an organization (like Fortress) in your Will is a beautiful act that will positively impact the lives of others well into the future.

Supporters leave a gift in their Will for many reasons. Here are four main motives: 

1. It impacts lives for good beyond their own lifetime. Some feel a calling to do so out of their faith in God. Others do so out of gratitude and a desire to bless others as they have been blessed.

2. It brings a deeper sense of meaning to their own life. Donors who leave a gift in a Will often experience a feeling of wholeness and completion out of a gift with such deep purpose.

3. It is a striking model of generosity and compassion for their own children or grandchildren. Children follow actions more than words, and this type of benevolent and caring act provides powerful footprints to follow in their own lives.

4. There are financial considerations and tax benefits. We strongly encourage you to consult with your financial or legal advisors about this decision. While a gift in your Will is a gesture of your love and an expression of your values, it’s good to know you’re being financially savvy too!

We know, however, that even though most people know a Will is important, some are still hesitant to create or update their Will because, “there’s always time to do it later.” Others might not consider a legacy gift because “that sort of thing is just for rich people” while some would like to leave an estate gift but worry about doing so due to the uncertainty of the size of their estate when they pass on. 

The next edition of the Fortress Focus will address these perceptions and concerns. For now, thanks for reading, and thanks for remembering Fortress as you consider the gift of a lifetime!

Historic Southside Prayer Drive

For over 25 years, Fortress (first the church and later the nonprofit) has proudly called Historic Southside home, and in the spirit of Jeremiah 29:7, we work hard for the welfare of our community and “pray to the Lord on its behalf.” We invite others to do so as well through neighborhood Prayer Drives that not only lift up needs in Historic Southside, but also provide a powerful learning experience.

Naturally, Prayer Drives begin at Fortress, and our campus boasts a rich history of its own! In 1929, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School was established on this site as a school for Black students when public schools were legally segregated. Also, our big playground was the home site of the legendary Black educator, Hazel Harvey Peace. 
From here, participants board Fortress buses and visit IM Terrell Academy, “Old Fortress,” Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary School, Evans Plaza, and Hillside Park before returning to campus. At each stop - and en route in between -  groups explore Historic Southside’s rich Black and Hispanic culture and history, including topics like the lasting impact of slavery and reconstruction, racial segregation, notable Black and Hispanic leaders, the impact of Interstate Highway 35, opportunities for revitalization, and more.

Prayer is at the heart of these drives, and as groups learn of the unique needs and challenges facing our neighbors, they spend time in prayer at each stop along the route. Prayer topics include:

• That hearts will be open to learn as we explore the history of our community.

• That we will see how history affects us and the kids we serve today.

• That barriers facing children in poverty and children of color will continue to fall.

• That God’s church would reflect His heart for all people.

• That our neighborhood would have opportunities for economic revitalization without harm to current residents through the effects of gentrification.

Perhaps a group from your church would like to join a Prayer Drive? Or maybe you could assemble a group of family members, like minded neighbors, coworkers, or an organization to which you belong? Contact Fortress Community Relations Coordinator Remy Bucknor today, and let us schedule a Prayer Drive for YOU!

2022 Fortress staff at the Hillside Park location

Faces of Fortress: Cahill Hooker

Fortress has never set out to find its Volunteer of the Year intentionally. Historically, when it’s time to name and honor our most outstanding volunteer, there’s never a question about who it should be. There has always been that one person who just obviously WAS. This year’s honoree was no different.

Fortress found Cahill Hooker through board member Ronnie Rohde, who, while trying to sell his company a water system, discovered that Cahill was an RCAT-licensed roofer. As it happened, Ronnie loves to talk and Cahill loves to talk, and while he didn’t buy her water system that day, she did manage to hook him into taking a peek at our failing roof.

In those days, our roof was only one issue with our creaky, drafty, falling-down-around-our-ears building. Cahill helped us patch up the roof, and then he set to tackling other items - an area of floorboards that had rotted with age. A door that wouldn’t close properly. A wooden deck that needed attention. And so on and so on and so on. Before long, Cahill (and his dad Charlie, who sometimes came along to provide know-how and can-do) knew and loved our quirky, historic, beloved building as much as we did.

When we had the opportunity to consider purchasing our new campus in 2020, Cahill was the second person we called, after our trusted realtor and then-board member, Tamera Saling-Starke. He gave the whole thing a thorough once-over and said, “Pray for hail. This thing has a roof barely better than the one you have now.”

On moving day, he showed up with 8 of his roofing buddies and their trailers, and they all acted as though there was not a single thing they’d rather be doing on a Saturday in December. Together, they moved an entire building full of desks and toys and supplies and appliances from old Fortress to our new facility. Cahill orchestrated the whole thing with finesse, as if he’d done it a hundred times before, his big voice only overpowered by his bigger laugh. Joy personified - that’s Cahill.

“We don’t have showers,” I said one afternoon while Cahill was on site to fix some random issue. “And we need them in time for next summer’s visiting mission groups. Do you have any recommendations for who I should call?” Next thing I knew, Cahill was general contracting the whole project, pro bono. The 6-week project took closer to 6 months thanks to supply chain issues, labor shortages, etc. The cost kept climbing, too. Cahill’s business partner wondered what their company was getting out of all the time he was spending on Fortress’s little project. I knew the answer - nothing.

So when the day came to choose 2022’s Volunteer of the Year, it was obvious. I called Cahill to my office and asked if he’d allow us to honor him publicly at this year’s StoryLand. His eyes filled with tears. I was stunned that it meant that much to him. “I’d never thought of myself as doing all that much,” he says now. “And I didn’t know it was a contest! The little things I do for you guys, they’re just small things. They don’t take that much time. They’re pretty simple. But when you started listing them off, I thought, ‘Wow. Yeah, I guess it does add up’.” 

Cahill hopes other potential volunteers realize the same thing - that it doesn’t take much to make a huge difference for Fortress. “Honestly, I see you guys doing your thing up here and I think that the little tasks I do are pretty meaningless in comparison. Come on, we all know that this is your job, but we also know you’re not making all that much. You’re certainly not doing this for the money. And I just love that I get to be a part of it. My favorite thing is that the kids all recognize me now. I mean, I love that.”

“There’s so much awfulness in the world right now. You can turn on your phone and all you see is awfulness. In this world of thoughts and prayers, what can we do? What can you do, right now, right here, today, for someone else, to make things better? How can we turn ourselves around right now, in Fort Worth, Texas, and do something good? I don’t think I’ve found a better place to do that than Fortress. And I’m so honored.”

Cahill and his wife Trina own Worthy Outdoors, specializing in high-end outdoor kitchens and living spaces. He still maintains his roofing license, can grill a mean steak, and has found his greatest joy and talent is being a girl dad to Janie and Charlie.