Community Divided: Mercy Culture's Fight for a Human Trafficking Shelter in Fort Worth

For years, Heather Schott has felt a calling to help survivors of human trafficking. After launching Mercy Culture Church in April 2019 alongside her husband Landon, she founded a nonprofit organization known as The Justice Reform. This initiative aims to eradicate sex trafficking in the Fort Worth area.

In 2022, The Justice Reform proposed building The Justice Residences, a shelter for human trafficking survivors. However, the plan faced fierce opposition from local residents, prompting the organization to withdraw their application before it went before zoning commissioners. Fast forward two years, and the proposal has resurfaced, now rebranded as a "religious discipleship center." The latest version of the plan was presented at a zoning meeting on November 13, 2024, where a divided commission voted 6-4 against it, without providing any comments on their reasoning.

Upcoming Council Vote: A Community at Odds

The final decision regarding the shelter now rests in the hands of the Fort Worth City Council, with a vote scheduled for December 10. Schott remains optimistic, stating, "There is more to come. We will be building The Justice Residences."

As the community braces for the council's decision, tensions have flared between church supporters and neighborhood opponents. The proposed shelter would be located at 2001 Oakhurst Scenic Drive, adjacent to Mercy Culture's existing campus. The plan includes a two-story building with facilities for dining, exercise, and sleeping accommodations for up to 115 people, as well as a chapel.

Neighborhood Concerns: Safety and Suitability

Local residents have voiced significant concerns about the safety of the project. Katherine Bauer, president of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association, highlighted issues such as public safety, increased parking problems, and whether the location is appropriate for a high-security restoration home. More than 340 residents signed a petition opposing the project.

Bauer stated, "This creates a public safety concern, a very real public safety concern," referencing the plans for 24/7 security and fencing around the property. The opposition has rallied support, donning green and olive colors to represent their historic neighborhood.

Legal and Ethical Debates: Church vs. Community Rights

Amid the community's divisions, legal discussions have emerged regarding the church's rights under the First Amendment. Mercy Culture leaders, including state Rep. Nate Schatzline, have accused the city of discrimination against the church and delaying the process of building the shelter.

According to Assistant City Manager Dana Burghdoff, the Religious Land Use Act prohibits zoning laws that substantially burden religious exercise. The argument hinges on whether the shelter qualifies as a church-related activity. While Mercy Culture's attorney, Kyle Fonville, insists the project aligns with the church's mission, opponents argue that the term "church-related" should not apply to a facility like a shelter.

Community Support: A Call to Action

Supporters of The Justice Residences, including church congregants, have rallied at meetings, emphasizing the need for a safe space for trafficking survivors. Lindsay Rivero, a congregant and survivor, expressed the importance of providing a healing environment for women affected by trauma.

Despite making concessions to address neighborhood concerns, opposition remains. Libby Willis, a former neighborhood association president, articulated the community's position: "We are not opposed to helping sex-trafficked women at all. But we just believe that it was not the right location." The debate continues as both sides prepare for the upcoming council vote.

What Do You Think?

• Is it appropriate to build a shelter for trafficking survivors in a residential neighborhood?
• Should religious organizations have the same zoning rights as other nonprofits?
• What are the potential risks and benefits of this shelter to the community?
• How can communities better support survivors of human trafficking?
• Is the opposition to this shelter an example of NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard)?
• What role should local government play in balancing community concerns and humanitarian efforts?