 Today, a child at an urban elementary school will leave her class with an excited step, on her way to meet with a special friend and mentor, a woman who belongs to a local church who comes weekly to the school to spend time with the girl. Recruited by her church and trained by Buckner using the KIDSHOPE USA model of mentoring, the mentor not only will guide her through her studies, but act as a guide through life. The 8-year-old was identified by her teacher as needing additional help with her studies as well as additional attention by an adult. The daughter of a single mother, school administrators felt she was an ideal candidate for tutoring and bonding with a local woman. The two will review the girl’s homework assignments and today her mentor will focus on developing the girl’s reading skills and give her precious one-on-one time.
 Today, a line of homeless families will form a line outside a church’s door. Inside, church volunteers will busily pack sack lunches for those who wait outside, helping them physically get through another day of life without shelter or sustenance. The system has been organized through the church’s Buckner staff member, a trained Christian social worker helping the church meet the needs of its community in a way that is meaningful and purposed. And when the door opens, that Buckner staff member’s smile might be the only one the line of hungry and homeless meets that day.
Today, a church will provide its activity center for an after-school program led by trained Buckner staff. The children in the program are all in need in need of positive Christian role models, in need of a place to stay safe and away from influences on the street, in need of help with homework, in need of the recreation the church’s activity center provides.
Today, a family in crisis will enter a Buckner counseling center on their road to escape lives of conflict and abuse. They’ll be met by a licensed, Christian counselor who will help lead them away from conflict and toward a more positive relationship with themselves and with Christ.
It’s no secret: In addition to providing community services using Buckner staff, Buckner actively seeks church and organizational collaborations to better provide community ministries, social services and mentoring programs. And to more actively give you an opportunity to serve your neighbors today.
 At Buckner, community engagement is driven by innovative partnerships between like-minded churches, organizations and individuals. Buckner looks for these working relationships in an effort to improve the lives of people in the communities we serve.
Get more information about KIDS HOPE USA.
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Our primary ministries:
Buckner Children and Family Services provides residential programs for at-risk children and families; mission ventures domestically and internationally designed to enhance the lives of orphans and desperate children; church collaborations, which offer the experience and expertise of Buckner; child mentorships, which pair one adult with one elementary school child; foster care programs domestically and internationally, and domestic and international adoption.
Buckner Retirement Services provides a continuum of care for older residents in five communities in Texas Austin, Beaumont, Dallas, Houston, and Longview.
Camp Buckner Retreat and Conference Center, located in the Texas Hill Country just north of Austin on more than 800 acres, provides a summer camp program for children and serves as an ideal setting for church and corporate retreats. |
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