Fort Worth Poverty Program Expanded to New Cities

The Padua poverty-reduction initiative, which boosted participant earnings by 46%, is now launching at national locations.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Employment

Isometric editorial illustration showing tiered stone blocks ascending in height, representing financial stability and structural growth. — Catholic Charities Fort Worth is expanding its successful Padua poverty-reduction initiative to new locations in Chicago and northern Indiana. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe local poverty-reduction programs should be scaled up to serve other communities nationwide?

Catholic Charities Fort Worth expanded its Padua poverty-reduction program to locations in northern Indiana and Chicago in 2026. This initiative aims to help households reach financial independence through structured case management.

Why it matters

The program shifts the focus from temporary aid to addressing the root causes of poverty, aiming to standardize evidence-based social service practices nationwide. By targeting long-term stability, the model seeks to improve overall household economic outcomes for participants.

Since 2015, the Padua program has served 1,089 clients, reporting a 64% increase in the likelihood of having stable housing among participants. The organization now plans to establish 10 total sites across the country within the next two years.

The players

Catholic Charities Fort Worth

A nonprofit social services provider that manages poverty-reduction programs for individuals and families.

The details

The Padua model functions through intensive case management that helps participants pursue specific milestones in employment and financial stability. Partner sites are vetted for infrastructure capacity, leadership, and financial health before implementing the program's methodology. The expansion aims to replicate the Fort Worth-based results in new markets to provide broader access to these services.

2015: Catholic Charities Fort Worth launched the Padua program.
January 2026: The first national mission site was established in northern Indiana.
April 2026: The northern Indiana site began accepting clients.
June 2026: A mission site was established in Chicago.
October 2026: The Chicago site is expected to begin accepting clients.

Money Landscape

The push to standardize evidence-based social services mirrors the focus on performance-based outcomes found in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's employment service standards. This expansion reflects a broader shift toward scaling proven, data-verified support systems nationwide.

Households in the expansion areas may soon access structured case management designed to improve employment stability and long-term earnings. Those interested in such services should monitor local non-profit offerings for potential enrollment windows and eligibility criteria.

The takeaway

Evidence-based case management programs can offer a path toward significant gains in household earnings and housing stability. If you are exploring resources, consult with a qualified financial counselor to review local social service programs that align with your long-term stability goals.