my friend Robert and I started on a journey with just an idea and a dream.
We started by googling, “how to write a business plan,” then gathered what money we had, and opened an account for the PARC. As we moved ahead with little understanding of the process, we began to see the dream become a reality. We found a building and after months of uncertainty and setbacks, the doors of the PARC opened on November 19, 2014. It wasn’t long before we realized that the vision and core principles we based everything on worked! Success happened quickly as we began to fill the gap in our community by helping those that are homeless find hope and realize their possibilities.
In the last year, our attendance has increased by 288%! Whereas for the first couple of years we saw between 10 – 15 per day, we are now averaging 45 per day, with our numbers sometimes reaching up into the 60s. We serve over 158 unique individuals a month. Even with the higher numbers, success happens quickly when those experiencing homelessness choose to be a part of what we do. We see a high success rate of members getting into homes, finding jobs, going to school, etc. This simple plan of showing value and acceptance is powerful and effective. We are changing lives and our community.
Now, our little building is no longer big enough for the number of people that are coming. We’ve already seen some come in and leave because there was nowhere else to sit. That is not acceptable. We need more space. the PARC currently serves approximately 20.4% of the homeless population in Amarillo. As we start construction on our new space, we will have the opportunity to reaching at least half of those that are homeless in our community. Being located on the edge of downtown makes us a vital part of the rebuilding of our city.
the PARC’s main goal is to break the cycle of homelessness for every individual. Downtown Amarillo is changing. It’s time for homelessness to change, too!
Valerie Gooch, Executive Director
