Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorie Kirk.
Hi Dorie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi, I’m Dorie Kirk and I am the executive Director of Fort Worth Community Collaborative; the first and only no barrier clothing closet in Fort Worth. We are opened every 1st and 3rd Saturday to the public for free- no questions asked!
After losing my son Kale, I opened a baby boutique in his honor- The Baby Bird Boutique. After contracting Covid-19 in late 2020, I became very ill and was unable to walk and had difficulty breathing as well as brain swelling. I ended up being hospitalized with three blood clots-one headed to my heart.
I decided to closed my baby boutique business and was taking some time off to recover from life saving surgery when I came across a post about a non-profit needing an outreach coordinator. I got the position and brought in two dozen new partners in the first quarter. Due to job relocation, our founder left and I became the executive director overnight. I have spent the last year helping our community realize that clothing is a fundamental need that has the ability to completely transform people’s lives- not just through feeling comfortable and confident, but obtaining employment, living better and strengthening their mental health.
With the government shutdown and SNAP crisis, we knew our community would be hit hard, so we decided to find the gaps in food distribution in our area and pick up the ball. Within three weeks, we have already served over 800 folks and are now assisting 25 FWISD families with an entire week’s worth of groceries delivered to their door.
I grew up in 76116 and I believe being part of the community gives me specific insight in how this area needs to be served. Small details really change the trajectory in how many people are comfortable receiving help and how meaningful that help truly is.
A perfect example is with our FWISD weekly kits that we just began delivering this week. While compiling a shopping list, I was mindful to realize that if adults don’t have the ability to come and pick up items at our normal distribution hours, those kids are likely home alone while their parents work (sometimes multiple jobs). Because I was a latch key kid, I was able to carefully curate the right list of items that ensured the children could create their own meals on their own.
This story is just getting started. We hope to expand to 8 total locations throughout DFW and be the pioneers of true mutual aid. We never have an application in which you have to disclose any of your private information in order to receive help. We believe that food, clothing and care are basic human rights and should have no barriers in place to prevent folks from obtaining basic needs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not!
Being a non-profit who is based on mutual aid (and not afraid to talk about the politics that go along with this model) we are often kept out of rooms and conversations because we are considered to be not a “real” non-profit. That’s something I’ve had to come to terms with and actually now take great pride in.
The opportunities we have missed because we refuse to be quiet don’t keep me up at night. I just wake up the next day hoping to make more friendships, partnerships and convince more folks that this is the true way to help their neighbors. The money will come. The opportunities will come and the doors will open.
We will stay in our lane and remain the place to go for basic needs WITHOUT an application that can leave so many out. No red tape here, no barriers.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
FWCC has long been about clothes only. When I came on as Executive Director, I started thinking about my community (76116) and what all of their needs were. I knew that back to school was a heavy financial burden in our area. I didn’t have the means, the budget, the staff, support or even infrastructure to do anything.
That didn’t stop me. It was a need that had to be filled.
Within two weeks I had an unofficial sponsorship from a local hospital, a huge school supply donation from Rep Ramon Romero and 50 volunteers ready to show up and help any way they could.
I kept pushing the limits and asking audaciously and it paid off!
We ended up giving out 571 complete school supply packs and backpacks, 167 haircuts, 1,260 books
(thanks to The Welman Project) and distributed 2,233.3 pounds of clothing to 853 people including uniforms all within 6 hours! It was by far our most successful event to date!
I think back on that day just four months ago and I beam with pride. I am the kind of leader that might scare folks with how much I dream and push- but it always pays off!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I had a very traumatic childhood. By the age of 14, both of my parents were incarcerated and I was considered a “ward of the state”. I am not used to having support, but being in this community has taught me what that feels like for the first time in my life.
During our back to school bash planning, I had fellow Executive Directors took time away from their busy schedule just to come and help me make this dream a possibility. Deanna From Goodfellow Fund, Maria Koegl with Don’t Forget To Feed Me, Taylor Willis at The Welman Project.
Taylor makes me so thankful I was crazy enough to say yes and continue to carry FWCC. She is constantly in my corner cheering me on and is always ready to give advice and help guide me.
I would also be nowhere without my Advisory Board: Bertie Gardner, Ellis Maxwell, Cara Kuhl , Ashley Nichols, Alex Strawn and Kiama Cavazos.
Bertie has been by my side through so many transitions with FWCC and is our number one supporter in the community. He ensures that FWCC isn’t forgotten at any table!
I am so lucky that my entire board is heavily involved in mutual aid and activism and ensures FWCC continues to pioneer true leadership while truly serving our community with dignity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fortworthcollab.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fwcommunitycollab
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FWCommunityCollab
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorie-kirk-32bb50359/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cowtowncloset
