Fort Worth child care center wins cash prize from H-E-B as state award finalist
A child care center in Fort Worth has been recognized as a finalist for a statewide education award from H-E-B.
The Lena Pope Early Learning Center, located on Sanguinet Street in west Fort Worth, was announced on Wednesday as a finalist in H-E-B’s 2026 Excellence in Education Awards. The annual state awards from the grocery store chain provide cash prizes to Texas educators, schools, school boards and school districts for their dedication and commitment to students.
“Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same,” according to the awards program’s website.
As a finalist, the Lena Pope center will be awarded $5,000 alongside four other early childhood education programs in the running for the final award of $25,000. Final award winners will be announced during a May 3 ceremony in Houston.
In a statement, Lena Pope CEO Ashley Barnes said the nonprofit was honored to be recognized for its early childhood education program.
“For nearly 100 years, Lena Pope has served children and families while strengthening child well-being across our community,” she said. “High-quality child care is essential to a healthy community, and access to excellent early education helps children and families thrive. We are grateful to be recognized alongside so many outstanding early childhood centers and school districts.”
The nonprofit operates two local centers with its main campus located on Sanguinet Street in west Fort Worth and its second campus located at UNT Health Fort Worth. Both are rated four stars, the highest recognition, by the state’s Texas Rising Star quality-rating system. They are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Both centers serve children 6 weeks old to 5 years old.
Lena Pope Learning Center is the only finalist in Tarrant County across four categories and 18 total finalists. Other North Texas finalists include Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and Garland ISD, in addition to the school boards for Garland ISD, Lake Dallas ISD and Mesquite ISD.
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 2:42 PM.
