Buckner Family Pathways receives grant to help moms

LUBBOCK—The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation awarded a $15,000 Texas Fund Grant to the Buckner Family Pathways program in Lubbock for its work helping single-parent families.

In seven cities across Texas, Buckner International offers Family Pathways—residential programs with services designed to strengthen families, enable single parents to pursue education or vocational training and become self-sufficient.

“They gave me a place to live with my kids when I had nowhere else to go,” Celeste Braker said. Braker, who works in an accounting office owned by State Sen. Charles Perry, is finishing a social work degree at Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, she wants to help people in low-income households understand how to manage their finances.

“The worst thing about the poverty life cycle is not knowing any better. You don’t think you can do any better,” Braker said. “Women in bad situations tend to do the same things over and over again. They’re afraid to step out.”

Perry attended the check presentation in support of the work of Family Pathways, formerly known as My Father’s House Lubbock.

“My Father’s House recognized early on that it is relationships built on the example set by Christ that changes people’s lives,” Perry said. “I have personally witnessed this positive impact on a wonderful individual named Celeste Braker. Her desire to succeed and work hard while juggling life’s issues is an inspiration for all and a testament to her character.”

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation has supported the work of Buckner Pathways programming in Lubbock and Lufkin the last three years totaling $126,000.

Family Pathways received one of 16 grants awarded across the state in 2015 by the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation as part of the Texas Foundations Fund Program. Eligible grant applicants were nonprofit organizations and rural government entities. Specifically, the group awarded grants for construction, rehabilitation and/or critical repair of owner-occupied single-family homes and for supportive services in multifamily housing

“The goals and objectives of the grant are to provide supportive housing services to single moms, focusing on higher education and self-sufficiency and alleviating homelessness in this population,” said Henry Jackson, Buckner area vice president of operations.

“Many mothers do not have other viable options to assist them with education, safe housing and spiritual guidance during difficult times of transition in their lives. Buckner offers such opportunities for those mothers who are looking for redemptive hope and transformation for themselves and their children.”

The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation is a nonprofit organization created at the direction of the Texas Legislature in 1994 to promote public health, safety and welfare by providing safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income Texans and other under served populations.