Struggling student found life-changing help at Buckner center

PEÑITAS—New to town with few friends, Abigail Garcia didn’t know what she was getting herself into when she followed a classmate’s recommendation to go to the local Buckner Family Hope Center.

But Garcia was struggling through her sophomore year of high school, and the center’s after-school program offered help.

The moment she crossed the threshold, her life changed more than she possibly could realize.

“I met wonderful youth,” she said. “I started getting more into it. I told friends: ‘I think I like it. I think God put it in my way for a reason.’”

Scholastic achievement

With the encouragement and assistance of Buckner staff members—and plenty of hard work—Garcia’s grades improved. Staff members saw her dedication to school and rewarded her with a scholarship after high school. She used it to attend Kaplan College, where she became a certified nursing assistant.

“I am really, really blessed,” Abigail Garcia said. “We have such a great Buckner family.” (Buckner Photo)Garcia’s parents initially were skeptical of the Hope Center but quickly changed their minds after they saw how much it helped their daughter. They investigated the other offerings and enrolled in classes such as financial management and fatherhood. Soon, they’d earned enough points for a mission team to build them a new house.

‘She and her family have overcome the odds’

One of the teams that constructed the house was from First Baptist Church in Gatesville. She connected with several of the team members who encouraged her and offered some guidance for her next steps, including Gary Kafer, who was impressed with Garcia quickly after meeting her.

“I could tell she had a drive and motivation that would take her places,” he said. “She is smart and has wonderful ‘people’ skills. I know her early years have been difficult, but she and her family have overcome the odds with the help of the folks at Buckner.”

The two continue to talk, and Kafer even served as a reference to help Garcia get her job.

“It felt great when Abby called to tell me she got the job,” he said. “We have stayed in touch all this time. She calls me her Uncle Gary. I hope Abby and her family can continue to grow in the Lord and be an asset in their community. It is stories like this that keep us coming back to the Valley.”

‘A great Buckner family’

Garcia is thankful for all the support she received through Buckner and friends of Buckner.

 “I am really, really blessed,” Abigail said. “We have such a great Buckner family.”

Now Garcia teaches an anger-management class for youth at the Hope Center. Stepping in front of the class brought back old memories.

“It kind of reminded me of the first time I came to Buckner,” she said. “I saw all the new faces, seeing them talk to each other. I remembered what it was like when I first came. It’s a privilege.”

Garcia hopes to bless students through the class, including her sister. So many people have invested in her life through Buckner. She wants to do likewise to those who are coming behind her.

“When I came here, you see all these new faces and they don’t just look at you and turn around,” she said. “They look at you and try to help you out. The fact that they’ve helped me, my family and I see all the changes they’ve made in the community, it makes me want to be part of it. It makes me proud to say I go to this center.”