Fortress is interrupting the cycle of generational poverty for children and families residing in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood. We take a trauma-informed, equity-minded approach to our work and are at the forefront of best practices in childcare and education.

We believe that the best way we can make the greatest impact in our neighborhood and in larger society on an individual, institutional, and systemic level is by modeling the change we want to see. To this end, we seek to employ the best teachers, leaders, and support staff we can. What makes our team the best? We are defined by a passion for ministry, an eagerness to learn and grow, a heart for people affected by hardship, and an intrinsic drive to do the highest quality work on behalf of the children and families we serve.

In order to equip our staff to fulfill that mission, we practice equitable and transparent hiring practices, prioritize high-quality ongoing training for all staff, including certification courses and national conferences, and implement the same trauma-informed practices and care for our staff as we do our clients.

The Work Culture

Fortress is first and foremost a faith-based organization, and our Christian faith is reflected in our interactions with our clients and with one another. Although we come from a variety of denominational and faith backgrounds, we are united by a common commandment: to love God and love others. As a Christian organization without a denominational affiliation, we welcome people with diverse practices of their own Christ-centered faith as employees.

Fortress is often described by the staff as a “family”. We represent different races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, educational backgrounds, and creeds. Yet, we operate on the strengths of each member of our team, and place a high value on the unique gifts we bring to the table. One thing we share in common is a desire to serve Fort Worth’s Historic Southside community in whatever way we can, and that is reflected not only in the success of our programs, but in our high retention rate among employees.

Our staff show the diversity of the full body of Christ through our expression of spiritual gifts. Unsurprisingly, Fortress tends to draw individuals particularly gifted in service, faith, leadership, mercy, and administration!

Fortress’s staff, leadership, and Board of Directors are committed to continually improving the processes and standards to which we hold ourselves. This includes our hiring practices!

Our hiring committees, comprised of staff and community members from all levels of leadership, make hiring decisions against a rubric. Scores are based on the unique qualifications of each candidate and their ability to uphold our core values.

Candidates with lived experience facing economic or racial injustice are strongly encouraged to apply. Fortress does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other non-merit factors except as allowed by federal law because of its faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit status in regards to religious affiliation.