Buckner’s Lufkin program celebrates 10 years of ministry to single parents

Posted: 10/26/07

Buckner’s Lufkin program celebrates
10 years of ministry to single parents

By Jenny Pope

Buckner International

LUFKIN—Buckner Family Place, a self-sufficiency program for single parents, celebrated its 10th anniversary Oct. 23 with a dedication ceremony of a newly constructed community room named after local philanthropist and advocate Murphy George.

George, who has chaired the Family Place advisory committee since its inception 10 years ago, has been instrumental in leading the cause to support single parents seeking higher education and breaking the cycle of abuse and dependency, Executive Director Judy Morgan said.

“We’ve had 230 families, including 500 children, come through Family Place since we first began,” she said. “These parents are now an active force in our workplace, in our hospitals and in our schools. And they’ll never again have to think about being dependent on the government for financial assistance or upon their families and friends. It’s a life-changing thing.”

In addition, children have learned to appreciate education in a more meaningful way, Morgan said.

“There is a whole generation of children who have already made long-term education plans and will pursue them because of their parent’s inspiration,” she added.

Buckner Family Place provides single parents with safe, affordable housing and free child care as they receive their degrees in higher education from Angelina College. Parents also are provided with individual and group counseling, parent and life skills training and job readiness preparation.