Water From The Rock (WFTR) has provided social services in the Arlington, Texas community since November 1999. Water From The Rock started from humble beginnings, operating out of a garage with one staff member. The initial focus of the organization was to help low-and-moderate-income women make a successful transition into the workforce by providing them with clothing for job interviews. WFTR has now evolved into a multi-service organization that assists individuals seventeen (17) years and above, at no cost, to increase their ability to achieve self-sufficiency.
Water From The Rock meets low-and-moderate income individuals and families at their point of need and assists with services and resources that will help them overcome and remove barriers they may have at the moment. We recognize that individuals and families are faced with a variety of challenges, from putting food on the table, paying utilities, to unemployment, resulting in diverse needs that can be addressed only by a variety of critical programs and services. It is our mission to connect the most vulnerable individuals to the training, education, and support services they need to set them on a path to achieving self-sufficiency. The services we provide are:
• English Language Acquisition /ESL Classes
• Pathway to Citizenship Classes
• High School Equivalency/GED Preparation classes
• Computer classes for senior citizens to keep them connected with family and friends
• Computer classes for persons returning to the workforce
• Resume' Building
• Clothes for job interviews/work
• Food assistance
• Clothing and basic needs for those experiencing homelessness
Our Impact Last Year
- Students that met the required classroom hours increased their skill levels more than 4 levels.
What Our Clients Are Saying
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McKenna came to Water from the Rock food pantry to get food for her family. McKenna has a husband, Chad, and three children. Their two sons, Ira (2) and Alias (7), and their daughter, Jubilee (10). Ira was with McKenna picking up food that day.
McKenna lost her job in October, and her husband works in administration at a doctor's office. They are living off one income and share a car currently. Her kids go to a charter school, so they don’t qualify for free and reduced lunches since they don’t have that program. McKenna said that packing lunches every day is a challenge, so the food she receives from Water from the Rock “is very helpful with that.”
"This definitely helps. Not having to worry about putting food on the table because of resources like this definitely helps ease the burden.”
Brandy came to Water from the Rock to get food for herself and her roommates that are helping her out during a difficult time. This was her 3rd time at Water from the Rock, and she first heard about it from one of her friends who encouraged her to come. She said that the food lasts her a few weeks, and she comes when she most needs it.
Brandy is recovering from a broken leg. Last August, she tripped on a dog bowl in the dark getting ready for work. She said that the way she fell, she broke her femur in two different places and dislocated her knee.
Brandy was working as a server and doing housework as her job, but she is just trying to heal her leg right now.
“I just want to get back to how I was.” Brandy said that she used to be able to work three jobs.
“I have never had to rely on anything like this before. It is really tough times right now.”
Evelyn came to the food pantry with her brother. Evelyn said that she comes to Water from the Rock when she needs it most. Evelyn has had to make tough choices on whether to buy food or to pay bills. She said that her light bill recently was $400-500 dollars one month which can make it difficult to pay bills and buy groceries. She had to switch light companies to help lower the cost. Evelyn said that the food she receives lasts a while. She does the cooking in the house, and she enjoys the veggies that she receives (potatoes).
Her husband passed away on December 18, 2022, due to a heart attack. “It’s been kind of hard for me.” Evelyn also lost her apartment in 2020 due to the tornado that came through Arlington in November 2020.
Evelyn receives survivor benefits now due to her husband’s passing, but it took a while to kick in. She is living off of the disability income that she receives as well because she had three heart attacks in 2018. Without Water from the Rock, Evelyn said “they would make it the best we can,” but it would be challenging.
“Thank you so much for helping and reaching out to people. It’s a blessing that they do this.”
The mission of Water From The Rock is to empower low to moderate income individuals to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through an array of services - High School Equivalency/GED preparation, English as a Second Language classes, computer literacy classes, food assistance, and clothing for job interviews, work and emergencies - aimed at helping them achieve self-sufficiency.
There is a need for financial donations to help us stock our food pantry. We always need tax deductible financial donations to help students pay for the practice High School Equivalency/GED exam and the actual High School Equivalency/GED examination. Tax deductible donations would help us purchase books and supplies for our literacy classes.
We are an equal opportunity organization. Our commitment to equality and inclusion is one of the guiding forces that helps move us forward. We strive to create an inclusive workplace where everyone is empowered to succeed. We embrace the practice of equality and inclusion for all individuals and the community we serve.
Organization name
Water From the Rock
Causes
Hunger & Food Access
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
402 N.L.Robinson Drive