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Presbyterian Night Shelter has announced the launch of The Greater Good Collective — a new social enterprise designed to generate jobs, develop skills, and build community for individuals facing employment barriers.
The initiative is being fueled by the generous donation of a commercial property near Cherry Lane and Interstate 30, which will allow the organization to extend its successful UpSpire model into west Fort Worth.
“This incredibly generous donation presents us with an extraordinary opportunity — not only to expand our UpSpire workforce and create new jobs and training pathways, but also to deepen our commitment to helping individuals build stability, earn income, and reclaim their futures through purpose-driven employment,” said Toby Owen, Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Night Shelter. “The Greater Good Collective will prioritize employment for populations who often face barriers to full-time work — especially women and mothers — and will offer wraparound supports like workforce coaching, flexible scheduling, and trauma-informed practices.”
UpSpire is a social enterprise founded by Presbyterian Night Shelter, designed to reduce and remove barriers to employment for individuals facing homelessness.
UpSpire provides workforce solutions to government, nonprofit, and private businesses. The enterprise’s core services include staffing, litter abatement, janitorial services, commercial landscaping, warehouse operations, and WOODWORKS, a carpentry and furniture-making initiative.
Building on the foundation of UpSpire programs such as WOODWORKS, the Collective will host two new UpSpire businesses: a handyman service and a junk removal service. Both ventures will offer job training and practical, team-based work experience while promoting sustainability through reuse and diversion of materials.
In addition to trade work, The Greater Good Collective will house several community-facing microbusinesses that fuse workforce development with sustainable services. These include Greater Give, a donation intake and sorting center, and Greater Grab, a curated thrift store. Additional opportunities are expected to follow.
“The Greater Good Collective marks a significant step forward in Fort Worth’s efforts to break down employment barriers and address homelessness,” said Fort Worth City Councilmember Michael D. Crain. “This is exactly the kind of investment west Fort Worth needs — one that revitalizes spaces, creates jobs, and tackles disparities in neighborhoods like Las Vegas Trail, all while strengthening our local economy and uplifting families.”
Renovations are set to begin in late 2025, pending successful fundraising. The Collective’s microbusinesses are expected to launch in phases starting in 2026.