The newly established neighborhood health center on Las Vegas Trail has added a splash of color and community spirit with a resident-painted mural. The large outdoor artwork, featuring giant butterflies, flowers, and children's handprints, now welcomes visitors to the center, aimed at transforming the area of west Fort Worth through increased access to medical services, social support, and more.
During the Community Paint Day event, local kids and adults picked up brushes to make their mark on the future of the Las Vegas Trail (LVT) neighborhood. This initiative is part of a broader collaborative effort involving Cook Children's Health Care System, JPS Health Network, the City of Fort Worth, LVTRise, and several other local organizations, according to an article published by the City of Fort Worth. Cook Children's now provides pediatric services in the 40,000-square-foot facility, designed to be a beacon of hope and change for the struggling area.
The mural's design, with motifs selected by local children, is adorned with words like “lovely,” “strong,” “chosen,” and “unique,” adding a layer of visual empowerment to the walls. Cook Children’s consulted youngsters in the planning stages to ensure their vision was incorporated into the mural and the interior of the building. Calina “Cal” Mishay Mejia, the artist, outlined the vibrant design, which community members then enthusiastically filled with life and color.
Fort Worth City Councilmember Michael D. Crain, representative of District 3 and the LVT area, was among the participants. "The health center overall is a game changer for this community," Crain emphasized, "People don’t have to go miles and miles to get health care. They can come here." This sentiment echoes the urgency for such a facility in a neighborhood where many residents lack convenient transportation options. The presence of this center within LVT means crucial services like medical expertise, education, and food assistance are finally within reach, he said.
The decline of LVT began with the closure of Carswell Air Force Base in 1993, which led to widespread job losses and economic downturn. The recent efforts, including the revamping of the former Westside YMCA into the Rise Community Center and now the health center project, commenced in November 2023, represent a significant stride towards the area's transformation. The initiative undertaken by Cook Children’s and its partners reflects a commitment to providing key resources close to home for an underserved population, and the mural stands as a symbol of this revitalization and a community's resilience.
