We’re thrilled to share some exciting news that marks a big step forward for our community and the people we serve. On May 22, we joined our partners Arcosa, the PepsiCo Foundation and Dallas College to unveil a brand-new community workforce training center at Dallas College’s RedBird location. This isn’t just a new space—it’s a powerful symbol of what’s possible when corporate, nonprofit and educational partners come together with a shared vision for change. 

This initiative is just the latest example of how United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and our partners are collaborating to drive measurable change and move closer to our Aspire United 2030 goals—our North Star for driving transformational change and improving access to education, income and health throughout North Texas. 

Creating Opportunity in Southern Dallas 

This initiative, part of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Southern Dallas Thrives program, is focused on boosting careers, supporting families and advancing long-term economic mobility across Southern Dallas. The new training center will serve as a welcoming hub for individuals looking to develop new skills, earn industry credentials, and access career opportunities in high-demand fields like HVAC, logistics, IT and, transportation, hospitality. 

Over the next three years, this collaborative effort is expected to support at least 350 individuals through occupational training, financial coaching, career navigation and essential wraparound services such as food access and transportation assistance. Thanks to more than $1.3 million in impact investments from Arcosa and the PepsiCo Foundation, we’re building a sustainable, scalable model that’s already inspiring other community-based locations. 

By providing support services in addition to workforce training, this initiative aims to reduce the barriers that keep many of our neighbors from completing certification courses and higher degrees.  

As Ashley Douglas, vice president of our Southern Dallas Thrives initiative, told The Dallas Morning News, “You can’t think about workforce development if you haven’t eaten in two days. You can’t consider being able to show up to a workforce development class if you have nowhere for your child to be during that time, or you don’t have transportation to get to this location. Being able to support them and provide those wraparound resource services so that they can focus on curriculum and completion is our goal.”  

Jennifer Sampson, CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, shared at the event, “Today is about more than an unveiling of a physical space. It’s about creating real opportunities for hardworking individuals and families.” 

Workforce Challenges in North Texas 

Today, qualifying for a good-paying job typically means acquiring a certification, a degree or specialized training after high school. About 60% of jobs in Texas will require post-secondary education, but only 22% of Texans earn a degree or credential after high school, The Dallas Morning News reported in their article about the RedBird workforce center. 

Initiatives like the new workforce center are one way United Way and our partners connect more workers with expanded job opportunities. This helps ensure our region has a strong pool of skilled workers, which supports our economy now and in the future. 

Our key Aspire United 2030 goal in the area of income is to increase by 20% the number of North Texas young adults who earn a living wage by 2030. This would add an estimated $800 million annually to our region’s economy, making this a goal that would benefit all of North Texas.  

We’re Driving Generational Change 

For the workers who will access services through the RedBird workforce center, the additional training and new career opportunities mean a chance at financial stability, which supports the health of their entire family and the educational success of their children.  

That’s what we’re here for—to unlock opportunities and remove barriers in ways that create generational change across North Texas. Together with our partners, we’re creating a ripple effect of positive change that uplifts not just individuals, but entire communities. 

Be Part of the Change 

This new workforce center is just one example of the innovative, community-driven solutions we’re committed to supporting. But we can’t do it alone. Your support makes this kind of transformation possible. 

Here are two ways to support our financial stability initiatives right now: 

• Donate today to help us expand workforce development, education and financial stability programs across North Texas. Click here to invest today. 

• Volunteer your time and talents to support workforce development initiatives in our community. Check out our current volunteer opportunities here. This month we’re seeking volunteers to provide admin support for our partner Empowering the Masses, which offers digital skills and literacy classes, phlebotomy courses, community health worker training and more. 

Let’s keep building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.