Advisory Board
Fort Worth Community Collaborative's advisory board is comprised of humans that simply believe everyone deserves access to basic needs. They come from walks in life that lend perspective to ensure the mission of FWCC is executed in the most dignified way possible.
Dorie Kirk- President
Hi! I'm Dorie!
I am everyone's best friend, I love surprising people and I can only fill my cup by helping others! I went to school on a music scholarship and love to give my son a concert for one. I am an avid gardener, sewing makes me happy, and I hum so much that I don't even know when I'm doing it anymore! I'm also the resident hugger so any time you need a hug, these arms are open!
Why did I join FWCC?
I lost my son, Kale, at 45 days old and spent 2011-2016 immersed in helping start the THIRD pediatric hospice in America right here in Fort Worth! I spent many years building up a children's brand in honor of Kale and finally landed back into the non-profit world when FWCC put out the call for an outreach coordinator. I was a homeless teen after both of my parents became incarcerated. I spent all of my high school years couch surfing and relying on hand-me-downs for friends. When I learned what FWCC did and how much dignity was given into fulfilling clothing insecurities, it was a no brainer for me to join!
My favorite task at FWCC is:
My absolute most fun is when I can host our partners on site. When I get to see the direct and quick impact a tote of clothing is going to have at a school or a girl's home closet I leave that day recharged for weeks! I also love Saturdays when we have open shop. In the front you get to see shoppers and having direct interaction with them warms me, but the liveliness and spirit in the back room is something I've never seen volunteering anywhere else before.
My personal goals for FWCC are:
I am an analytical person so I have many measurable goals for FWCC, but personally I'd love to have outreach to at least 20 FWISD schools and expand our staff to be able to function 5 days a week!
My business goals for FWCC are:
My heart's most pure desire for FWCC is to know that our name is synonymous with clothing needs. FWCC being a household name in Tarrant county would be the best measure of success.
Where do I think FWCC will be in one year? In five years?
Oh do I love dreaming! I know that within a year, we will be open to the public once a week-at least. Within 5 years, we will have a stand-alone site and be the largest clothing non-profit in the area.
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Bertie Gardner- Vice President
Hi! I'm Bertie!
Why did I join FWCC?
I joined FWCC because I love their mission to reduce textile waste by ensuring our community has access to free clothes while actively recycling textiles that can no longer serve their original purpose.
My favorite task at FWCC is:
I love sorting donations! It's fun to look at the new stuff coming in and it's been a great way to get to know other volunteers.
My personal goals for FWCC are:
I would like to see FWCC become a staple in our community where those in need and volunteers can come together for social/service gatherings while giving back to the community.
My business goals for FWCC are:
I would like to see FWCC be able to increase its availability and be able to pay a code team to help ensure smooth operations.
Where do I think FWCC will be in one year? In five years?
In one year, FWCC will have an established list of services and events well known in the community. In five years, FWCC will be in it's own building with expanded programs meant to address community and environmental needs.
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Ashley Nichols- Treasurer
Hi, I'm Ashley!
I've worked in fundraising and grant writing and I am so excited to be helping a cause like FWCC.
Why did I join FWCC?
I very much believe mutual aid should be the norm for our communities and that it fills a gap that more traditional modes of philanthropy just can't. There's still not many "no-barrier" social services out there, so when I came across FWCC I wanted to jump right in. Also, it's great to give clothes a second or third life. There is so much waste made by the fashion industry, so why not help keep clothes out of landfills while ensuring every person has what they need to attend special occasions, work, and school? It's a win-win.
In ten years, I hope FWCC will be seen as a lead advocate for and enabler of other mutual aid services across DFW and maybe even all across Texas. And perhaps even have innovated new ways to address the textile waste issue while still ensuring every person has access to clothing.
My favorite task at FWCC is:
I like weighing the clothes when people are done shopping - it's interesting to see what they find and to measure how big or small the hauls are. It's funny when kids' eyes grow big because a bag of clothes their parents put together might weigh as much as them.
My personal goals for FWCC are:
I hope I can help FWCC with fundraising and revenue! The organization has become an important partner for other local organizations and it'd be great to be able to afford a dedicated full-time team and to fully fund our operations so we can continue to respond to every need for clothes and keep funneling used clothes away from landfills.
Where do I think FWCC will be in one year? In five years?
In one year, I believe FWCC will be offering more open shop days and have a whole dedicated team member to answer emergency calls from local schools and other social services. In five years, FWCC will have multiple locations across Tarrant County and maybe even their own dedicated space to host other partners and "no-barrier" services in food, medical, and education.
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Kiama Cavazos -Board member
Hi, I'm Kiama !
Why did I join FWCC?
I initially began volunteering after I heard about the Back to School Bash FWCC was preparing for. I came to drop off school supplies one day and have been hooked ever since! I love the mission of the organization and I couldn’t be happier with the way every member of FWCC actively works to create positive change in our community.
My favorite task at FWCC is:
My favorite task at FWCC is building emergency bags. I love being able to find curated pieces for the people we build the bags for. In that experience, I really get an opportunity to give back a little bit of love and care that I think everyone deserves to feel in this world.
My personal goals for FWCC are:
My personal goal for FWCC is to continue to bring volunteers with a passion for the community and reducing textile waste into the program. This is so we can extend our outreach to as many communities as possible.
My business goals for FWCC are:
My business goal is to expand our venture so that we are eventually able to sustain daily operating hours and can meet the needs of more community members.
Where do I think FWCC will be in one year? In five years?
In 1 year, I see FWCC having extended operating hours to serve more community members. In 5 years, I see us having multiple locations spanning across Tarrant County.
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Alex Strawn-Board Member
Hi, I'm Alex!
Why did I join FWCC?
I saw FWCC pop up on social media and had never heard of an organization quite like it. I knew I had to learn more, especially being on my own journey of reducing my consumption and getting more involved with mutual aid networks in my community. I started coming to sort days and have been here ever since!
My favorite task at FWCC is:
I love sort nights! It's always great to meet new volunteers. It's also super satisfying to see a giant pile of donations get smaller and smaller and know we're a part of connecting those clothes to people who need them.
My personal goals for FWCC are:
When people in Fort Worth think about clothing needs, reducing textile waste & consumption, and caring for their community, I want FWCC to be top of mind! I'd love to see us expand programming to better meet the needs of our community and extend shopping hours.
Contact
--------------------------------------------------Committees:
Governance
Bertie
Dorie
Ashley
Fundraising + Development
Ashley
Dorie
Kiama
Events + Outreach
Dorie
Alex
Kiama
Programs + Operations
Ashley
Dorie
Kiama