{"id":225525,"date":"2026-04-02T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/?p=225525"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:00:00","slug":"tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/","title":{"rendered":"This East Texas city is intentionally attracting people with kids amid growth boom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/newsletters\/the-yall\/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=in-article-cta&amp;utm_campaign=inline-article-CTA-yall&amp;utm_term=inline-CTA-yall\">Subscribe to The Y\u2019all<\/a> \u2014 a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-everlit-iframe-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Everlit Audio Player\" src=\"https:\/\/everlit.audio\/embeds\/artl_maqp6t7rLNK?ui_cover_art=false&amp;ui_title_intro=Listen+to+this+article&amp;ui_title_icon=headphones&amp;client=wp&amp;client_version=3.0.3\" width=\"100%\" height=\"130px\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><style>.wp-block-custom-everlit-iframe-embed { margin: 0 !important; }<\/style><div class=\"everlit-disclaimer\" style=\"margin: 0;\"><div style=\"margin-top: -0.5rem;font-size: 0.7rem;color: #4a4a4a;font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/about\/ethics\/#ai-policy\">AI policy<\/a>, and give us <a href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appFeleeKVUN0Iytx\/pagPG40gbkU0EfjIr\/form\">feedback<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>TYLER \u2014 It was 5 p.m. on a Tuesday, and dozens of children had flocked to Bergfeld Park with their parents to get their wiggles out on the jungle gym and swings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kingston Gallegos, 5, dropped his mom\u2019s hand to start a game of tag with a few other boys. They chased each other around the playgrounds, up the stairs and down the slides. The sounds of cheerful screams resounded through the trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The preschooler moved back to Tyler with his mom, Amy Gallegos, over the summer. Gallegos, who had lived in the city for nearly a decade before moving to the coast, missed the feeling of community and safety in Tyler. Since their return, they\u2019ve spent countless hours at the library, playing at parks and meeting other local families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the right move, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225619\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225619\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Kingston Gallegos, 5, spends his evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767745156\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"71.5\",\"iso\":\"1600\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0025\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kingston Gallegos, 5, spends his evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225619\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-33.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kingston Gallegos, 5, spends his evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225618\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225618\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Amy Gallegos spends her evening watching her son Kingston, 5, play at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767745091\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"22\",\"iso\":\"800\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0025\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Amy Gallegos spends her evening watching her son Kingston, 5, play at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-32.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Amy Gallegos spends her evening watching her son Kingston, 5, play at Bergfeld Park on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI feel like there\u2019s a community of people looking out for the kids,\u201d Gallegos said. \u201cThere\u2019s always little meet-ups or something going on. No matter what side of town you live on, you can find what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bergfeld Park, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbs19.tv\/article\/news\/local\/city-of-tyler-celebrates-bergfeld-park-renovations\/501-862c18b7-e8ed-49de-881a-789961d6e3d9\">reopened in 2022<\/a>, is one of many examples of how this East Texas city is working to ingrain a culture that supports families in its bones. Between 2014 and 2024, Tyler ranked second for the largest percentage increase in people moving to the area, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau by the Texas Tribune. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.midlandtexas.gov\">Midland<\/a>, which is in the West Texas oil fields, ranked first.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<figure class=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-iframe\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\" style=\"height:600px; width:100%;\">\n\t\t\t<iframe id=\"newspack-iframe-rDWCCDeV1q3B\" layout=\"responsive\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/9LHdP\/\" style=\"height: 600px; width: 100%;\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\n\n\n<p>Tyler\u2019s population grew from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ref\/abouttx\/popcity6.html\">101,494<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/quickfacts\/fact\/table\/tylercitytexas\/BZA210223\">112,219<\/a> in that time \u2013 a little more than 1,000 people per year. And there is no evidence that the city\u2019s growth will slow. In fact, Smith County, of which Tyler is the county seat, is projected to grow faster than most other counties in East Texas over the next decade. Only Wood and Polk counties, which are north and south of Smith, have higher projected population growth by percentages. They are much smaller counties compared to Smith, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Civic and business leaders say an intentional effort to make Tyler more family-friendly has proven successful. The city invested in physical infrastructure like sidewalks, parks and entertainment venues. At the same time, a flurry of organizations have sprung up to help families succeed, including a program for single moms \u2014 SHINE \u2014 and the Peer Dads Network for new dads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group inline-related-story\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\t<div class=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles  wpnbha show-image image-alignleft ts-3 is-2 is-uncropped \" style=\"\">\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"225525\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"article-section-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Related Story<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"225558\" class=\"tag-child-care tag-east-texas tag-smith-county tag-tyler category-demographics category-economy type-post post-has-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"post-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-infants-at-work-parental-leave\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"879\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?fit=1200%2C879&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-newspack-article-block-uncropped size-newspack-article-block-uncropped wp-post-image\" alt=\"Tyler city employees are bringing their newborns to work\" data-hero-candidate=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=300%2C220&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=1024%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=768%2C563&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=1536%2C1126&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=2048%2C1501&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=1200%2C879&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=2000%2C1466&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=780%2C572&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=800%2C586&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?resize=400%2C293&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?fit=1200%2C879&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw \/ 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw \/ 12)), 100vw\" data-attachment-id=\"225597\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-infants-at-work-parental-leave\/attachment\/225597\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?fit=2560%2C1876&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1876\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"City of Tyler employee Teresa Tudor and her children Cecilia Tudor, 4, and Natalia Hurtado, 8 months, in her office at the Tyler Water Utilities service center on Friday November 21, 2025.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1763761392\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"16\",\"iso\":\"400\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.02\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tyler employee Teresa Tudor and her children Cecilia Tudor, 4, and Natalia Hurtado, 8 months, in her office at the Tyler Water Utilities service center on Nov. 21, 2025.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?fit=300%2C220&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-25.jpg?fit=1024%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><!-- .featured-image -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-infants-at-work-parental-leave\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Tyler city employees are bringing their newborns to work<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2026-04-02T13:00:00-05:00\">April 2, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024, about 70% of Tyler\u2019s households were families, slightly outpacing the state average, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoftyler.org\/government\/government\/mayor-and-council\/mayor\">Tyler Mayor Don Warren,<\/a> who is set to retire this year, said the city\u2019s goal has always been to improve the quality of life for its residents. And in the last decade, they learned that prioritizing the needs of families helped all residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a shift from how the city used to approach economic growth. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tylertexas.com\/about-us\/\">Henry Bell, the president of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce<\/a>, said for a long time the city prioritized attracting people near retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s been an effort \u2014 an intentional effort, and some of it is sort of unintentional \u2014 rebuilding that infrastructure that will help develop better quality of life options for really all citizens,\u201d Bell said. \u201cBut a lot of it is so family-oriented. Because family is important to the area.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225608\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225608\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"A crowd gathers for the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767740785\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"20\",\"iso\":\"160\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0015625\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A crowd gathers for the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-04.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A crowd gathers for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:calc(2560 \/ 1789)\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1789\" alt=\"Council member Petra Hawkins speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, 2025, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225609\" data-id=\"225609\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1789\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=2560%2C1789&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=300%2C210&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=1024%2C716&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=768%2C537&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=1536%2C1073&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=2048%2C1431&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=1200%2C839&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=2000%2C1398&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=780%2C545&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=800%2C559&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?resize=400%2C280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-07.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Council member Petra Hawkins speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, 2025, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1700\" alt=\"City and chamber of commerce officials cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225612\" data-id=\"225612\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1700\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=2560%2C1700&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C680&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=1536%2C1020&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=2048%2C1360&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=1200%2C797&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=2000%2C1328&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=780%2C518&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=800%2C531&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?resize=400%2C266&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-10.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">City and chamber of commerce officials cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Denice Smith and her daughter Sadie, 6, attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225607\" data-id=\"225607\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-02.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Denice Smith and her daughter Sadie, 6, attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2136\" alt=\"Neal Anthony attends the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225614\" data-id=\"225614\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 2136\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=2560%2C2136&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=300%2C250&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C854&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=768%2C641&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=1536%2C1282&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=2048%2C1709&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=1200%2C1001&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1669&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=780%2C651&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=800%2C668&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?resize=400%2C334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-13.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Neal Anthony attends the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Gina Newsome, Stephanie Murphy, and Joyce Armstrong attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225615\" data-id=\"225615\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-17.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Gina Newsome, Stephanie Murphy, and Joyce Armstrong attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Council member Shonda Marsh visits with Chelsea Payne during the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225613\" data-id=\"225613\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-12.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Council member Shonda Marsh visits with Chelsea Payne during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Communities that want economic and social stability realize they need families, said <a href=\"https:\/\/capita.org\/person\/elliot-haspel\/\">Elliot Haspel<\/a>, an author and family policy expert at Capita, a family policy think tank founded in South Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFamilies with young children are going to be invested in communities for a long time,\u201d Haspel said. \u201cThey\u2019re often the ones advocating for things like safer streets, more public amenities and more community events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite all the efforts, some residents say finding support \u2014 especially child care \u2014 remains a challenge, and there are not yet enough good-paying jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tyler has become an employment hub for much of the region, drawing employees from surrounding counties. This, coupled with a large demographic of college students regularly graduating from the University of Texas-Tyler or other higher education programs<b>, <\/b>produces an outsized amount of competition for good paying jobs that already exist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The diversity of the workforce can put parents \u2014 especially mothers \u2014 who need more flexibility than a childless person at a disadvantage for landing a good paying job. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<figure class=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-iframe\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\" style=\"height:600px; width:100%;\">\n\t\t\t<iframe id=\"newspack-iframe-TN0uT22sxzvZ\" layout=\"responsive\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/pp9Ju\/\" style=\"height: 600px; width: 100%;\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\n\n\n<p>Bell said economic development is a constant balancing act to find enough employers to meet the needs of the community, and to have enough employees to meet the needs of prospective employers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, parts of Tyler are considered a <a href=\"https:\/\/childrenatrisk.org\/childcaredesertmap\/\">child care desert<\/a>. This means that there are not enough spots in classrooms for the kids that live in the area. A lack of child care options can make finding a job difficult as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parks and sidewalks <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The morning Bergfeld Park was set to reopen, Warren, who was nearing his second term as Mayor, snuck out of his house and sprayed a coat of PAM on each brand-new slide. He wanted the grand opening of the park to be memorable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, indeed, it was for the children who flew off the slides and landed in the mulch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo we realized that putting PAM on the slides was not a good idea,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warren began working on the Bergfeld Park project as a retiree looking for something interesting to fill his time. So he ran for office and won. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoftyler.org\/government\/government\/mayor-and-council\/mayor\">served<\/a> as the councilmember representing district 4 for three terms and then was elected mayor in 2020. The park was the first in a cascade of infrastructural investments launched in his tenure to create a sense of community in the city. He even liked the challenge of finding new ways to pay for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tyler, thanks in part to Warren\u2019s prodding, has now invested $15 million to rebuild every city park and started the Legacy Trail Project that will eventually span the city. In 2023, the Tyler city council approved a $25.5 million <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mytylertexas.com\/downtown-improvement-project\">downtown revitalization project<\/a> to create a safe place for residents and visitors to meander. The city is also contemplating a new light rail system to help residents move through the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225611\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225611\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Mayor Don Warren speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767741013\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"119.2\",\"iso\":\"160\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0025\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Mayor Don Warren speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-09.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mayor Don Warren speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new section of the Legacy Trails walking trail, on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoftyler.org\/government\/departments\/about-us-engineering\">city\u2019s traffic engineer, Cameron Williams<\/a>, a father of two, said the city has expanded Tyler\u2019s sidewalk system and installed safety rails to improve walkability. He also conducted studies and made small changes to improve the flow of vehicle traffic, which reduced commute times for residents by more than 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople get up in the morning, and they\u2019re going to school, they\u2019re going to work, or they\u2019re going to appointments \u2014 they\u2019re traveling,\u201d Williams said. \u201cThey have to get there somehow. If that\u2019s a two-hour trip of waiting and frustration, or they\u2019re five minutes late to their kids\u2019 party, or they get to work late and lose a job, those things matter to people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uttyler.edu\/academics\/colleges-schools\/business\/centers\/hibbs-institute\/\">Hibbs Institute for Business &amp; Economic Research<\/a>, part of the University of Texas, ranked Tyler the <a href=\"https:\/\/scholarworks.uttyler.edu\/hibbs_briefs\/42\/\">best<\/a> city to raise a family in Texas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers used 18 factors grouped into five categories: health and safety, economic performance, quality education, amenities and recreation and social environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tyler ranked high in health and safety thanks to multiple hospitals and the<a href=\"https:\/\/uthealtheasttexas.com\"> University of Texas <\/a>medical school in Tyler, which operates as a fully functional hospital as well. It also excelled in economic performance, including income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the city\u2019s success wasn\u2019t universal. Tyler had middle-of-the-road ratings for factors such as unemployment rates, crime and the share of uninsured children. It ranked near the bottom for the number of people graduating with high school diplomas and affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders across the city said they are working to address those areas that need improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225633\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225633\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?fit=1300%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1300,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Tiffany Gilliam spends her afternoon reading on a bench in downtown Tyler on Monday February 9, 2026.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770682496\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"23.4\",\"iso\":\"250\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.00625\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tiffany Gilliam spends her afternoon reading on a bench in downtown Tyler on Monday February 9, 2026.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?fit=228%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?fit=780%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=1300%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?w=1300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=228%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 228w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=780%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=768%2C1008&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=1170%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1170w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=1200%2C1576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=800%2C1050&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?resize=400%2C525&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-64-e1775141797942.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tiffany Gilliam spends her afternoon reading on a bench in downtown Tyler on Feb. 9. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1712\" data-attachment-id=\"225629\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225629\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?fit=2560%2C1712&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1712\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Danny Gutierrez-Delgato, 18, spends his afternoon skateboarding, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Faulkner Park in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770675495\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"16\",\"iso\":\"400\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0004\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Danny Gutierrez-Delgato, 18, spends his afternoon skateboarding, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Faulkner Park in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?fit=300%2C201&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?fit=1024%2C685&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=2560%2C1712&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=1536%2C1027&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=2048%2C1370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=1200%2C803&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=2000%2C1338&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=780%2C522&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=800%2C535&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?resize=400%2C268&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-44.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Danny Gutierrez-Delgato, 18, spends his afternoon skateboarding on Feb. 9, at Faulkner Park in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-attachment-id=\"225606\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225606\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1920\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"1.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"FC9113\",\"caption\":\"Downtown Tyler on Friday November 21, 2025.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1763751757\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"8.67\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.001\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown Tyler on Nov. 21, 2025.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=2560%2C1920&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?resize=780%2C585&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20251121-Tyler-Infant-Care-MC-01.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Downtown Tyler on Nov. 21, 2025. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225636\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225636\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"UT Tyler student Lauren Phillips, 20,  spends her afternoon studying organic chemistry, on Monday February 9, 2026, at The Foundry Coffee House in downtown Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770683191\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"55\",\"iso\":\"1600\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.01\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;UT Tyler student Lauren Phillips, 20,  spends her afternoon studying organic chemistry, on Monday February 9, 2026, at The Foundry Coffee House in downtown Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-41.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">UT Tyler student Lauren Phillips, 20, spends her afternoon studying organic chemistry, on Feb. 9, at The Foundry Coffee House in downtown Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Tyler\u2019s economic development plan has focused on diversifying industries, which would create a variety of job opportunities and economic stability. More opportunities would translate into a lower unemployment rate and maintaining healthy wages, which are vital issues for adults raising children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Job opportunities with good benefits are also one way in which the community can address the rate of uninsured children. There are also public health entities, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mynethealth.org\">the Northeast Texas Public Health District<\/a>, that can provide real-time support to families who are struggling to maintain health benefits through employers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a 2025 city survey, Tyler residents demanded improvements to traffic congestion, public safety and water and sewer availability. They also wanted the city to expand sidewalks, to guarantee a future rich with water, and a low tax rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The survey serves as the backbone to the city\u2019s long-term planning document, which the city council approved in mid-March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city also said it will prioritize a mixture of land-use programs that support different types of housing for various levels of affordability over the next 30 years. It will create neighborhood centers where residents can reach almost all of their needs within blocks of their homes, instead of having to cross town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support networks help new families<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Parks and walkable neighborhoods can attract families to a city. High-paying jobs lay the foundation for financial stability. However, many families need more to thrive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social connectivity and support are vital for family success. As Tyler has grown, nonprofit organizations have created programs that enabled that connection. A loose constellation of social groups have formed communities that pull together parents from all walks of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two examples of this are the Peer Dads Network, through WIC, and the Harbor of Hope which has created SHINE Nights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kala Cameron, a regular at SHINE Nights, lived in a rural community north of Tyler most of her life. Her father was her support system as she raised three children. He helped her to keep her boys on the right path, she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He died in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s when I had to build my own village,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"225621\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225621\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Kala Cameron and her son Zhylo Jackson, 3 months, attend a SHINE community support group for mothers, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770685768\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"48.5\",\"iso\":\"3200\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kala Cameron and her son Zhylo Jackson, 3 months, attend a SHINE community support group for mothers, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-11-1024x683.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kala Cameron and her son Zhylo Jackson, 3 months, attend a SHINE community support group for mothers, on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On a Monday night in February, she was walking back and forth on the second floor of the Marvin Methodist Church, trying to soothe Zhylo, her 3-month-old son and fourth child. Her three older children were watched over by volunteers who offered child care during the monthly SHINE Night series for single mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a SHINE Night, moms take their kids to a church where licensed child care providers have meals and activities planned for them. Those moms then go up to a separate room to enjoy a dinner with friends and listen to a lecture on spirituality, family or finances. They\u2019re given resources to connect with experts who can help them navigate motherhood as well as a group of women who have similar experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf they feel like they\u2019re on their own, that really exposes them to a lot of the critical factors, like poverty, abuse and depression \u2014 all of those things come into play when there\u2019s isolation,\u201d said Suzy Walker, the founder of Harbor of Hope and SHINE. \u201cPeople need community. Families need a community that can support them relationally. And what we\u2019ve learned is that relational support almost inevitably turns into tangible support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225625\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225625\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Maxie Martinez, 13, attends a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers with her mother Doris Martinez, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770688661\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"63.4\",\"iso\":\"2500\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Maxie Martinez, 13, attends a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers with her mother Doris Martinez, on Monday February 9, 2026, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-26.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maxie Martinez, 13, attends a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers with her mother Doris Martinez, on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:calc(2560 \/ 1707)\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Veronica Gaston speaks about her experience of being a single mother and finding her love relationship with God during a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225623\" data-id=\"225623\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-24.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Veronica Gaston speaks about her experience of being a single mother and finding her relationship with God during a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Anna Luz executive director of SHINE, on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225624\" data-id=\"225624\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-25.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Anna Luz executive director of SHINE on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Diana Rodriguez and Mistie Lorenz attend a SHINE community support group for mothers on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225622\" data-id=\"225622\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-13.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Diana Rodriguez and Mistie Lorenz attend a SHINE community support group for mothers on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Anais Brooks spends her evening making Valentine's cards as her mother attends a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers,on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225627\" data-id=\"225627\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-32.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Anais Brooks spends her evening making Valentine\u2019s cards as her mother attends a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers,on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Meg Martinez spends her evening making Valentine's cards as her mothers attend a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225628\" data-id=\"225628\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-34.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Meg Martinez spends her evening making Valentine\u2019s cards as her mothers attend a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" alt=\"Ruston Atkinson spends his evening making Valentine's cards as his mother attend a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-225626\" data-id=\"225626\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2560 \/ 1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-31.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Ruston Atkinson spends his evening making Valentine\u2019s cards as his mother attend a SHINE community support group meeting for mothers on Feb. 9, at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Walker was a single mom of three boys when the idea of the Harbor came to her. She realized that she couldn\u2019t do it alone and hosted a spaghetti dinner at her home one night. And then it became a regular meet-up for other local moms who just needed a friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Five years later, SHINE Nights had become a place for Cameron to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jason Rhodes, the father\u2019s engagement specialist for the Peer Dads Coalition through WIC, has seen this firsthand with local fathers. His program, which started in 2016, is the last remaining rendition of Peer Dads through WIC in Texas; although similar groups not associated with WIC do exist elsewhere, Rhodes said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program teaches men how to support their partners during pregnancy. It teaches them how to help a breastfeeding partner and what role they play in those early months after the baby is born. And it opens the door for fathers to ask questions and seek support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1720\" data-attachment-id=\"225620\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225620\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?fit=2560%2C1720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1720\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Jason Rhodes of NET Health speaks about the importance of the Peer Dad program, on Monday February 9, 2026, at the Texas WIC office in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770671196\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"27.4\",\"iso\":\"400\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.004\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jason Rhodes of NET Health speaks about the importance of the Peer Dad program, on Feb. 9, 2026, at the Texas WIC office in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?fit=300%2C202&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?fit=1024%2C688&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=2560%2C1720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225620\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=300%2C202&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=1024%2C688&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=768%2C516&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=1536%2C1032&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=2048%2C1376&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=1200%2C806&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=2000%2C1344&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=780%2C524&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=800%2C538&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?resize=400%2C269&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-09.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jason Rhodes of NET Health speaks about the importance of the Peer Dad program on Feb. 9 at the Texas WIC office in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust having that mentorship or that other man \u2014 who is a father themselves, or a grandfather \u2014 that you can call makes the difference,\u201d Rhodes said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since Rhodes took over Peer Dads around 2020, the program has grown to more than 300 men, he said. He especially wants Tyler to serve as an example of how Texas can promote fatherhood and protect family values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More growth is coming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith County is projected to grow by <a href=\"https:\/\/demographics.texas.gov\/Projections\/\">32% in the next 34 years.<\/a> This is in stark contrast to much of the rest of East Texas, which is projected to shrink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The county was home to 252,549 people in 2025, 112,219 live within city limits. Growing 32% means there will be about 308,500 people \u2014 about as many people who live in Corpus Christi \u2014 people in the area by 2060. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City leaders are making decisions about what Tyler needs to do today to integrate those new residents into the city\u2019s fabric. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2025, the city began debating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2025\/09\/23\/tyler-texas-light-rail\/\">light rail system<\/a>, which would pull cars off the street. It also began searching for ways to pull people off of Broadway, the city\u2019s main thoroughfare, and onto other streets to mitigate congestion during key commute times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" data-attachment-id=\"225632\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225632\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1707,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Downtown Tyler on Monday February 9, 2026.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770680824\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"55\",\"iso\":\"160\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.002\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown Tyler on Monday February 9, 2026.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=1707%2C2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225632\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?w=1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=1366%2C2048&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1366w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=780%2C1170&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260209-Tyler-Families-City-MC-56.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Downtown Tyler on Feb. 9. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And Tyler will build out on infrastructure that connects people to the natural resources in the region, said Williams, the city traffic engineer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders are confident that they\u2019ve secured the water needed to provide for population growth over the next 100 years. And they\u2019ve been fixing major infrastructure related to water and sewage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, community organizations are looking to the future and trying to assess where they can step in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Harbor of Hope will continue to provide a community for families that don\u2019t fit traditional paradigms. And the group is expanding. It began bringing together men in the area for breakfast meetings with hopes to start fireside chats soon. It is working to create a sort of halfway house for newly single parents to land safely in a time of transition. And the nonprofit has partnered with Legacy Foundations to provide a safe group home for children in foster care that will begin hosting children any day now.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next steps for Rhodes, of Peer Dads, is to take an existing coalition of nonprofit leaders and expand it. By bringing those leaders together, the community can identify gaps in coverage and build out infrastructure through the community organizations so no families in Tyler feel left out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andrea Tucker, a mom of three, is the type of parent wants to connect with. She did feel left out as she struggled to navigate the city as a mom over the last few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t really feel like there\u2019s a lot of safety nets here in Tyler,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225638\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225638\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tr\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Andrea Tucker and her daughter Marciella, 8, spend their evening on a bench at Bergfeld Park as her twin daughters Jhene and Javeya play, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767744412\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"83.8\",\"iso\":\"800\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.003125\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Andrea Tucker and her daughter Marciella, 8, spend their evening on a bench at Bergfeld Park as her twin daughters Jhene and Javeya play, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-27.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andrea Tucker and her daughter Marciella, 8, spend their evening on a bench at Bergfeld Park as her twin daughters Jhene and Javeya play, on Jan. 6. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e497e2f9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"225616\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/04\/02\/tyler-texas-families-growth-economic-development-support\/attachment\/225616\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta='{\"aperture\":\"2.8\",\"credit\":\"Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune\",\"camera\":\"X-H2S\",\"caption\":\"Twins Jhene and Javeya Tucker, 2, spend their evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1767744495\",\"copyright\":\"MICHAEL CAVAZOS\",\"focal_length\":\"16\",\"iso\":\"800\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.004\",\"title\":\"***\",\"orientation\":\"0\"}' data-image-title=\"***\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Twins Jhene and Javeya Tucker, 2, spend their evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Tuesday January 6, 2025, in Tyler.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?w=2560&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texastribune.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260106-Tyler-Growth-MC-28.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Twins Jhene and Javeya Tucker, 2, spend their evening playing at Bergfeld Park, on Jan. 6, in Tyler. <span class=\"image-credit\">Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been a tough few years for Tucker. The city has been her home since she was a teen. But she has felt her share of struggles. It took months to get her twin girls into child care, and when she found a place for them, it was at different centers across the county. When she was between jobs, she struggled not only to access that social safety net to help keep her lights on, she had to compete with a heavily saturated job market. She relied on family and friends to see her through the hard time, not the community organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things finally eased up when Tucker got all three girls into the same child care center and found a job at the county jail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a pleasant afternoon in January, the mom sat on a bench with her daughter, Marciella, watching her two-year-old twins, Jhene and Javeya climb the steps of a Bergfelt Park playground. They were enjoying an hour or so at the park after a full day at school and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, she feels she can enjoy the perks of living in Tyler. It\u2019s quiet, if a little boring sometimes. She feels safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s nice to raise a family here, because it doesn\u2019t really give city life,\u201d she said. \u201cIt gives more like family life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p><!-- \/wp:post-content --><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tyler has spent the last decade remaking its parks and sidewalks to allure families. 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