Buckner Breaks Ground on Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake

Buckner North Texas held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning for its Buckner Family Hope Center in the Bachman Lake community of Dallas. The project is funded by Shining Hope Dallas, a local, community-led campaign raising $10.5 million for construction and $4 million for an endowment.

Over 300 people attended the ceremony, including members of the community, city officials, campaign board members and donors, and Buckner staff. Government officials in attendance included City of Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano, Councilman Omar Narvaez, former Councilwoman Monica Alonzo, community leader Joe Carreon and representatives from the offices of Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz.

Community and city partners represented at the ceremony included Bachman Lake Together, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas Development Fund, Bachman Lake Community Association, Dallas Police Department Northwest Division and Conti Group.

Dallas’ faith community was represented by the Village Church pastors and staff, Casa de Lago, Centro Internacional Aliento, Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas, Park Cities Baptist Church and the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Additional donors recognized during the ceremony were the Crystal Ball Charity and its president, Claire Emanuelson; Heather Lepeska; Mr. and Mrs. David B. Miller; Mrs. Meriam Calabria; the J.E. and L.E Mabee Foundation; and the Buckner International Board of Trustees.

Designed by Good Fulton & Ferrell, the 21,795-square-foot, two-story Buckner Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake will be built on approximately two acres at the corner of Lombardy Avenue and Geraldine Drive. It will sit strategically between multi-unit family living complexes and single-family homes in Bachman Lake, one of Dallas’ most economically challenged areas.

While the building does not yet exist, the Buckner Family Hope Center's programs and services are already underway in Bachman Lake, operating out of school classrooms, church offices, apartment living rooms and even street corners. Already in 2018, Buckner has served over 5,000 families in Bachman Lake; 79 people graduated from Buckner classes, 29 people secured new jobs and held them for six months, and 179 people are involved in Bible studies.

Bachman Lake’s community of 82,000 people is 93 percent Hispanic. The neighborhood is home to the most children ages 0-5 years in Dallas, and 93 percent of its school-age children are economically disadvantaged. The area has a Child Protective Services removal rate twice the average in Dallas County.

“Our service in Bachman Lake began with a simple question: ‘what if we could protect the most vulnerable children in Dallas,’” said Dr. Albert Reyes, Buckner International president and CEO. “Buckner helps families rise above their circumstances and meet their God-given potential so that each child is safe and thriving. This Buckner Family Hope Center will enable and empower children to stay where they belong— in their own families.”

Buckner International operates 26 similar Family Hope Centers across Texas and in six countries. Buckner Family Hope Centers are child-centered, family-focused places where families go to find hope, support, and empowerment in their community to reach their fullest potential. Programs include family coaching, GED, ESL, computer literacy, job training, after-school and summer programs for children, parenting and financial education, spiritual enrichment, and mentoring.

For more information about how the Family Hope Center will benefit Bachman Lake, click here and here.