USA (MNN) –In Dallas, Texas, an old storage room is now a community center, complete with a computer lab, reading room and space for tutoring and support groups.
Buckner
International and Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 7 to celebrate the addition.
The idea for the center grew after the partnership between the church and Buckner began, thanks to a grant last November. With the grant they were able to hire a social worker who assessed the needs of the community. The goal was to see how the church could better use their gifts and talents to make the greatest impact.
The community center will continue the work of empowerment that Buckner's programs emphasize, creating strong families with successful futures. By working with entire families–children, teens, and adults, they find that change happens.
Currently, about half of the Hispanic kids in the community drop out of school. The community center will encourage and facilitate learning by starting reading and tutoring
programs that target young children, giving them a foundation of understanding for the importance of education.
With North Texas Food bank, they kicked off the summer Sack Lunch Program on June 8. They will be feeding 250 kids.
The greater message of the community center is of God's love and provision. They hope that the center will be a place families can come to for assistance and know that they will also experience God's love first-hand.
Pray that God will use the new facility to bless the community and draw many closer to Himself.
