Amid Neighborhood Opposition, Fort Worth Church Withdraws Application To Build Shelter For Human Trafficking Survivors

Arlington TX

11 April, 2022

6:08 PM

Description

By Rachel Behrndt | Emily Wolf, Fort Worth Report April 10, 2022 Every Sunday, more than 1,000 Mercy Culture congregants flood into the Oakhurst area. The sprawling campus, dominated by large white buildings, attracts people from across Fort Worth. Primarily a place of worship, the church wants another use for its property — sheltering survivors of sex trafficking. After launching the church with her husband in April 2019, Mercy Culture Pastor Heather Schott started a nonprofit called The Justice Reform in 2020 with the goal of ending sex trafficking in the region. Last October, the organization hosted its inaugural Justice Run, a music festival and charity race aimed at raising funds to support survivors. Organizers pressed ahead on plans to create a three-story, 100 bed restoration home until neighbors, who question the safety and legitimacy of the project, mounted a strong opposition against the proposal. Developers for the project were expected to present it in front of the zoning commission April 13. City staff previously recommended denial of the project, arguing the land is not suitable for the use requested and that the restoration home is not consistent with the area's comprehensive plan. To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.