04/02/2026
This week we were honored to be invited to speak at the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Public Policy.
At 4Saints, we work every day to help families get the food and resources they need. This was a chance to talk about why so many families face these challenges in the first place.
Health is more than just the absence of disease. It is shaped by where people live, work, play, and pray. About 70% of a person’s health is influenced by access to healthy food, safe housing, transportation, and healthcare. For many people, these are not choices—they are limits set by the environment in which they live (built environment).
We discussed how the design of East Fort Worth’s Lancaster Avenue/ Meadowbrook neighborhood shapes the health of the community, where more than 60% of residents live with chronic disease. Limited access to nutritious food (food desert/food swamp), healthcare services, etc. makes it harder for people to stay healthy.
These challenges are the result of decades of disinvestment and long-standing planning patterns—and they can and must be changed. Understanding these connections helps us imagine neighborhoods where everyone has a fair chance to live healthy lives.
We are grateful for the chance to share this message and to speak with future leaders who will help build healthier, stronger communities.
