A PATHWAY TO PREPAREDNESS IN THE UNEXPECTED CITY, IN AN UNEXPECTED COMMUNITY.

 

“In The Unexpected City, resilience isn’t just a skill — it’s a calling.” — Pastor Kyev Tatum

A PATHWAY TO PREPAREDNESS IN THE UNEXPECTED CITY, IN AN UNEXPECTED COMMUNITY

Skills City, USA Resilience Responders Prepare Residents for Response and Recovery in 76104 — the ZIP Code with the Lowest Life Expectancy in Texas

Fort Worth, Texas — Fort Worth is celebrated as The Unexpected City — where cowboy culture meets world-class art, and southern charm blends with modern innovation. Visitors arrive expecting boots and Stockyards, yet discover the Kimbell Art Museum, Sundance Square, the Near Southside, and a community spirit that defies stereotypes.

But within this vibrant city lies a neighborhood that knows “unexpected” in a very different way — 76104, the ZIP code with the lowest life expectancy in Texas. Here, “unexpected” doesn’t mean surprise and delight; it means struggle and survival. Unexpected hospital visits, unexpected loss, and unexpected emergencies reveal deep cracks in the city’s promise.

From this very ground, a new kind of response is rising.

Skills City, USA: Resilience Responders is empowering the next generation of community protectors and crisis-ready citizens — everyday heroes prepared to act when disaster strikes.

This faith-fueled workforce development initiative is a collaboration between New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, and with hopes that the University of North Texas Emergency Management & Disaster Science Program will join the effort in the near future.

Together, they are turning The Unexpected City into a city that can be expected to respond, recover, and rise — a city that can be counted on to care for its own.

The Reality in 76104: Why This Work Matters

The 76104 ZIP code is more than a number — it’s a living story of faith, endurance, and resilience. Once home to thriving neighborhood-owned businesses, schools, and churches, the community has endured decades of redlining, disinvestment, and neglect. Today, it stands as both a caution and a call — a reflection of what happens when opportunity fades and resilience must be rebuilt from within.

• Lowest Life Expectancy in Texas: Residents live, on average, just 66.7 years, nearly 12 years below the state average.

• High Poverty Rates: More than 30% of residents live below the poverty line.

• Severe Health Inequities: Chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are widespread.

• Food Deserts: Limited access to grocery stores and pharmacies forces reliance on corner stores and fast food.

• Infant Mortality: Among the highest in Texas — nearly four times the national average.

• Underemployment and Racial Disparities: Systemic barriers limit access to education, healthcare, and sustainable employment.

In a place where daily life brings unexpected challenges, Skills City, USA is working to make one thing certain: preparedness.

“When the unexpected happens, you can expect our graduates to be ready to respond.” Pastor Kyev Tatum

What to Expect in the Unexpected City

When crises strike — tornadoes, floods, heatwaves, fires, or public health emergencies — the difference between tragedy and survival often comes down to who’s prepared to respond.

Through hands-on internships and community-based training, Skills City, USA equips residents with the practical skills and certifications needed for entry-level careers in emergency management, disaster recovery, and public safety.

Participants can train for roles such as:

• Emergency Response Assistant (American Red Cross)

• Business Continuity Technician

• FEMA Field Support Specialist

• Hospital Emergency Preparedness Assistant

• Local or State Emergency Management Support Coordinator

When the unexpected happens — you can expect Skills City graduates to be ready to respond.

Pathways to Purpose and Employment

Graduates of the Resilience Responders Internship are positioned for meaningful roles with local and national partners, including:

• 211 Texas United Way Helpline

• American Red Cross

• Team Rubicon

• City of Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management

• Tarrant County Public Health

• OneStar Foundation

• Catholic Charities Fort Worth

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

• United MegaCare

• Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County

• North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)

Each partnership represents more than employment — it’s empowerment, purpose, and long-term opportunity.

Workforce Solutions: A Bridge to Success

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County provides a comprehensive support system for participants seeking to build skills and advance careers:

• Career Coaching & Job Readiness Training: Guidance for resumes, interviews, and workplace skills.

• Academic Assistance: GED prep and other educational support.

• Paid Internships: 12-week placements with local employers, offering wages, real-world experience, and mentorship.

• Support Services: Transportation, childcare, mentorship, and professional development.

This holistic approach transforms young people, veterans, and underemployed residents — turning challenges into opportunities and building strong professional foundations.

A Legacy of Hope, Strength, and Service

Guided by Pastor Kyev Tatum, a 1991 graduate of the University of North Texas School of Community Service (now College of Health and Public Service) and a lifelong pastor and advocate in 76104, Skills City, USA embodies both the heart and history of Fort Worth’s Southside.

Born and raised in 76104, Pastor Tatum knows firsthand the challenges of poverty, inequity, and loss — and the power of faith, education, and perseverance to overcome them.

“People who grow up or live in 76104 should not be defined by its statistics — but empowered to change them,” says Pastor Tatum.

From his pulpit at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, he leads not just a congregation but a movement — blending spiritual strength with civic service and turning faith into tangible action.

While the UNT College of Health and Public Service currently trains students to strengthen communities through public health, emergency management, and social service careers, a future partnership could extend this mission directly into Fort Worth’s most underserved neighborhoods — where faith meets workforce readiness, and service becomes salvation.

Invest in Resilience. Empower the Responders.

In The Unexpected City, resilience isn’t just a skill — it’s a calling.

Your support helps provide:

• Certification and training for entry-level emergency response careers

• Access to health prevention programs and local clinics

• Transportation, mentorship, and job placement assistance

• Hands-on experience in preparedness and recovery

Give today at www.newmountrose.com

Together, we can ensure that when the unexpected happens, Fort Worth is ready.

Together, we can build Resilient Responders — prepared for the expected in The Unexpected City, grounded in faith, and committed to transforming 76104 into a safer, healthier, and more hopeful community for generations to come.