An Unveiling to Remember

One-on-One has gone and passed us by in what felt like a whirlwind. This whirlwind moved quickly, but it was overflowing with joy, generosity, and genuine compassion for our members and those in the homeless community. The night was filled with amazing music by Fine & Dandy, delicious food and drinks, photo booth, Layer Art station, and a successful silent and live auction.

As we look over these amazing photos, we are reminded of the growth that has occured at the PARC. Our very first art show fundraiser, which was 4 years ago, was much different than what was experienced at the Cerulean Gallery and The Derrick Event Center this year. This event has grown increasingly more successful each year, alongside the PARC.

Lately, it seems like we are bursting at the seams with more individuals making their way through our doors daily. Due to the generosity of the local businesses and individuals throughout the community, we are able to move forward to our next, expansion! We are still in the early phases of discovering what expansion looks like for the PARC, but as we embark on this new journey, we are optimistic of what the future holds.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the success of our event, and those who were able to attend. Here’s to next year!

Special thanks to Gunnar Widowski for capturing these spectacular images!

Layer Upon Layer

In the words of one of our members, “At the PARC our members make up the layers which have become the foundation that made us who we are today. Each member becomes a unique part of our story by sharing their own experiences and pouring out life-changing accounts of hardship, loss and suffering. But their stories don't end there, these are only the beginnings of their journey to a rich and meaningful life filled with love, personal growth and triumph.”

One-on-One

It’s hard to believe that in less than two weeks, we will be having our one-of-a-kind Art Show Fundraiser, One-on-One. This is our 4th year having this event, but it will certainly be our best one yet!

One-on-One will be held on November 10, 2018 at 7:00pm at the Cerulean Gallery in downtown Amarillo. The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music, silent auction, and a live auction filled with amazing packages. The silent auction will include an exhibition of 12 pieces of collaborative art, all of which have been created by the very members of the PARC.

One-on-One has been an essential part of the PARC’s success. Each year, we have gathered together and focused on the “art” of collaboration, conversation, and connection with others. Through this event, the PARC has been blessed year after year with amazing possibilities.

Last year, our fundraising goal was to raise enough money to open our doors on Mondays. We met our goal, and began opening Mondays in January of this year! As a result, our attendance went up 92%!

This year we have set a new goal. With our attendance spiking, and with an increase in unique individuals flooding through our doors regularly, we have set a goal of expanding our facilities! We love our building, and all the amazing possibilities that are experienced here, but “the room” is starting to get crowded. We are hopeful that One-on-One will help us get the ball rolling towards expansion!

One-on-One is a unique opportunity for those in the community of Amarillo to come together, make connections, and discover the possibilities that the PARC is providing to the homeless community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets to attend the event are $40 a piece and can be purchased here.

Invest in Possibilities

Becoming an investor in the PARC is simple, convenient, and tailored to meet the needs of you.

We have recently partnered up with the RoundUp App to provide you with a one-of-a-kind investment opportunity.

The RoundUp App is a new and innovative way to become a monthly investor in the PARC. The RoundUp App allows you to automatically donate the change from your credit and/or debit card transactions. With each transaction that you use your card, RoundUp will round up the transaction to the nearest whole dollar amount. At the end of the month, RoundUp will tally the total change of your transactions and send a deposit directly to the PARC! All that you have to do is select the PARC as the nonprofit you would like to donate to and link your banks and cards through the app. Once you create an account, you do not need to use the app while making a purchase. Just swipe your card as usual!

Concerned that you may end up donating more than you hope? No worries! The RoundUp App allows you to set a cap on how much you would like to be donated each month.

Worried about keeping your personal information safe and secure? Secured by Stripe, the same payment processor as Amazon, Facebook, and many other corporations, account security is not a concern with RoundUp.

What are the benefits of using the RoundUp App? The RoundUp App:

• Provides a critical source of consistent support that allows us to do our work. This is true philanthropy.

• Makes investing effortless

• The average investor ends up contributing $20-$30/month

• Naturally fluctuates up and down with your spending

• You can set a cap for the maximum amount you will donate in a month

Ready to take the next step towards making a change? You can download the app for iPhone, Android, or create an account on the Web.

As always, thank you so much for your continued support and generosity!

the PARC Literally Saved My Life

When I first came to Amarillo, I was sent to the Pavilion for severe depression and suicidal thoughts. After 2 weeks, I was released into the wild, homeless and afraid at the Salvation Army. So for the next 2 weeks, I was going to another place to stay during the day. The majority of the people seemed to enjoy being miserable and bitter all the time. There was nothing there to occupy one’s mind, no games and a television. Being there at the other place just added to the bad feelings and suicidal thoughts I already had. I had already planned a couple of ways to leave this world behind. I really didn’t want to be like everyone else. 

Then I found the PARC. I was greeted by the staff who asked me my  name. Then I met Taylor, who showed me the various parts of the building and all the activities the PARC offered. Still depressed, I stayed most of the day and left for home as the staff told me good bye. I came back the next day, and to my surprise, they greeted me by my name, I was so impressed. From that day, any time I entered the building, Will, Valerie, Jimmy, Taylor and Jenna always said hi anytime they were there. All of the time, there were several staff members always watching the floor. Doing activities most of the day along with the group sessions, kept my mind busy during the day. Still depressed, a couple of weeks passed by. Every day started feeling a little better each day with all the positivity that the PARC provides every day. Taylor would always walk around, checking in on everybody and what they were up to, and always “that’s great,” “good job” or “that looks good.” Taylor really caught my attention. I have never met a young lady so mature and full of positive energy. It amazes me how sweet and caring she is every day she is there, towards anybody and everything. Valerie, Jimmy, Will and Jenna, the most outgoing, positive friends I have ever met. 

Every day that I come to the PARC is the most calm and relaxing place that anyone could ever ask for. If it hadn’t been for the PARC, I would have never made it. the PARC literally saved my life from me ending it with a suicide. If it hadn’t been for the staff, volunteers and the other various people that make the PARC possible, I would have never seen the light in the darkness of my mind. If you ever need a place to get away from the stress, depression, suicidal thoughts or just need someone to talk to, the PARC might just save your life one day too.

One Word From God Can Change Your Destiny

Meet Marvin. A man of gentleness and grace, soft-spoken and wise. A man who spends his time seeking and soaking in God’s word and presence which shines through him. To know Marvin, you would never believe his past. 

Marvin was born in Odessa, TX, and following his parents’ divorce, he moved around a lot with his mother. He had to drop out of high school and when he was 20 years old, his cousin came to visit from Houston. Soon after, police officers were banging on Marvin’s door with a warrant for his arrest. Following a guilty conviction, Marvin was sentenced to ten years in prison for a crime he did not commit. It turns out that Marvin’s cousin committed the crime, although Marvin did not know it at the time.

He made the most of his time in prison, earning his CDL through a local college. And after about five years, he was paroled. When his parole was through, he began moving around with his mom again, until he was arrested again. He was sent to prison for the second time, and he lost his CDL. After five years, he was paroled again. He began using drugs and wound up on the streets. He struggled to get clean, and despite an encounter with God, he continued in rebellion. He violated his parole, more than once, leading to serving more time. 

After he got off parole, he graduated with a CDL again, moving to Alabama to be with his mom until she passed away. Then, he returned to Wichita Falls where he met Gloria with whom he had a daughter. Not long after she was born, he was arrested again. His charges were enhanced due to his record, and the state was seeking to give him 25 years to life. Fearful and afraid, he prayed. God strengthened his faith, and he only received five years of probation.

Just before his probation ended, a neighbor called in false charges on Marvin. He was sent back to prison. Separated from his family, Marvin sought out God. A book he found led him to find deeper hope and faith. According to Marvin, “One word from God can change your destiny.” For him, that word was “expectation.” He spent the rest of his time incarcerated studying the word, learning to trust God, and growing in his faith. Soon he was released on parole, and after being sent to Pampa, came to Amarillo where we had the pleasure to meet him at the PARC.  

Today, Marvin is committed to getting his life back on track and to providing hope to others. I have seen him walk through many trials with his faith and his joy never wavering. Marvin is a new man, steadfast. He brings peace and kindness with him on his days at the PARC. I recently got to watch him graduate from the Christian Men’s Job Corps at the top of his class and celebrated with him as Marvin found a full-time job the very next day. God has big plans for Marvin’s life and testimony, and I am grateful to get to walk beside him along the way. 

Hospitable

the PARC uses a core set of values to fulfill our mission of helping those experiencing homelessness to find hope and possibilities. Hospitality is vital to this mission. 

At the PARC, we want both the environment and the people to be hospitable. This means:

• The environment at the PARC will be warm and welcoming
  • The tables will be painted warm and inviting colors.
  • The room will be clean and in order.
  • Fresh coffee and water will be available.
  • The room will smell good.
  • Projects will be ready, presented in an attractive way on the tables. 
• Everyone that does through the door will be greeted.
  • If we already know them, we will call them by name.
  • If they have never been to the PARC, a staff member or volunteer will go to the door and greet them.
    • The staff member or volunteer will welcome them, introduce themselves, and learn their name.
    • We will tell them that we are glad they are here.
    • The staff member or volunteer will then show them around the PARC, explain what we do at the PARC, and share the expectations. 
      • Show them the class schedule and let them know that we expect them to attend the classes.
      • Introduce them to the supplies and explain that they will need to find something to do. If there is something they need that they can't find, to let us know and we will try to find it for them.
      • Introduce them to other members.
      • Show them where the coffee and water are.
      • Show them where the restroom facilities are and where and when smoking is permitted. 
  • Throughout the day, we will check on the members, continue to call them by name, and make sure they have what they need. 
• Maintain an atmosphere of peace.
  • Those that are angry or out of order will be asked/escorted outside until they have calmed down.
  • There will be mutual respect between staff, volunteers, and members.
  • The staff and volunteers are non-judgmental, open-hearted, positive, and encouraging.
• There is a sense of belonging and ownership.
  • Those who come to the PARC will be called members.
  • As each person participates in activities that keep them productive and at ease, it maintains an atmosphere of peace and relationship.
• When someone leaves the PARC, we will tell them goodbye and let them know that we are looking forward to the next time that we will see them.

Miracles Happen at the PARC

Rainee started coming to the PARC not long after we opened. One of our values is "You never run out of chances." Rainee is an example of the power that value has. Due to her addiction, there were many occasions Rainee came to the PARC under the influence and had to be asked to leave. When she was ready she was welcomed back each time and given encouragement to persevere. We've been honored to journey with her, to watch her go from the streets, addiction and abuse through the strong battle to just stay sober. We had the privilege of walking with her as she decided to work through her steps of recovery; forgiveness, making amends, and the hard, hard things required to get her life back.

Last fall, Rainee transitioned to Martha's Home and overcame many obstacles to find a job and begin working. During this time, she cautiously moved towards reconciliation with her children through humility, respect and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Recently, Rainee came by the PARC to introduce me to her daughter! This is no small matter. This is God at work in the mightiest of ways. Rainee's life today is a miracle! In her, I see HIS miraculous work, a fulfillment of promises, perseverance and hard work.

I am grateful for the PARC. I am grateful for my unlikely friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to watch God's miracles happen right before my very eyes.

Coffee for a Cause

We drink a lot coffee at the PARC. Coffee is important to the PARC. There is always a fresh pot brewed when you walk in, and we take pride in brewing a good cup of coffee for our members and volunteers. Our members especially love our coffee, and many enjoy it all day every day with their preferred fixings of sweetener and creamer. 

So, it was an honor and a perfect fit when Palace Coffee Co. asked if we would like to be one of their monthly causes this year! Like us, they take pride in serving only the best coffee to their customers, and they are trying to make a positive change in our community. the PARC is Palace's March cause, which means anytime someone buys their Cause Latte this month, we receive $1! The Cause Latte for March is "the Matador" which is a delicious blend of sweetened evaporated milk with cinnamon, espresso, and steamed milk. I can personally assure you the Matador is amazing! 

In addition to the donations from Palace for Cause Latte purchases, Palace Coffee Co. has teamed up with the Amarillo Area Foundation which provides even greater support to their monthly causes! Once each month, if you scan the QR code on your Palace Coffee sleeve and enter your contact information, AAF will donate $5 to that month's cause! If you have not scanned your sleeve yet this month, please do so! (And don't worry, AAF is not going to spam your e-mails each day.)

Thank you Palace Coffee Co. and Amarillo Area Foundation for this opportunity and for all you do in our community, and thank you to everyone who is buying the Cause Latte and scanning your sleeve!!

Impacting People

Valerie speaking at our Spring Volunteer Meeting

Last night was so much fun! Our volunteers gathered to learn more about the impact they are making in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and in our community. Valerie shared many stories of the positive changes we get to see in our members resulting from our amazing volunteers, the 41% increase in daily attendance we have seen since January, and the continued need we have for more volunteers. In February, we served 102 unique individuals, and an average of 24 individuals each day. 

Below is a chart showing our current volunteer presence. Any box with 0 in the first chart means there are currently no volunteers regularly here at that time on that day. The second chart shows our current class schedule. We would like to have a class every morning and afternoon. The three blank spaces show the times we do not have any classes. We also have room for another Thursday morning class every other week. Take a look and see if there is a place for you! We would love to meet with you and give you a tour to show you more - give us a call (806-367-8024) or email (jenna@theparc.net)!

Volunteer Presence

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:00-8:30	1	0	1	0	0
8:30-9:00	1	0	1	0	0
9:00-9:30	3	1	1	0	0
9:30-10:00	3	1	1	0	0
10:00-10:30	3	3	1	0	1
10:30-11:00	3	3	1	0	1
11:00-11:30	3	3	1	0	1
11:30-12:00	1	2	0	0	1
12:00-12:30	0	0	0	0	1
12:30-1:00	0	0	0	0	1
1:00-1:30	0	0	0	0	1
1:30-2:00	1	0	0	1	1
2:00-2:30	1	2	0	2	1
2:30-3:00	0	2	0	2	1
3:00-3:30	0	2	0	2	0
3:30-4:00	0	0	0	2	0

Classes	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Morning	Ashley/Tammy	Jack	DeAnna +	Kaylynda (every other)	Amber/Matt/Scott
Afternoon		Myrl		Krista/Sara

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the meeting! We hope you all enjoyed getting to meet each other and share your stories as much as we did!

Respect

the PARC operates using a core set of values. One of the most important values is respect.

At the PARC, respect means:

• Each person that walks through our doors will be treated with respect by staff, volunteers, and other members. 

• As staff and volunteers, we respect their decisions.
  • If they choose not to meet our expectations, we will respect that decision, and they are free to leave. They can come back to the PARC whenever they are ready to abide by the culture of the PARC.
    • This supports the value that they never run out of chances. When we tell them to leave, they will know that they can come back whenever THEY decide. 
  • If they choose to make decisions other than what we deem best when they leave the PARC, we will respect them and allow them to walk the path that they choose, and not the path we would choose for them. 
    • There will be no judgement, and they will be shown acceptance and love for who they are and not what they do. 
• When addressing an issue, we will be forthright and firm in our responses while still using respectful and kind words.
• Good manners are expected to show respect and gratitude. These will be encouraged and taught with kindness. 

Answered Prayers

January 15, 2018 was our first Monday EVER to be open, and what a day it was! After three years of prayer and hard work, our dream of being open to serve the homeless Monday through Friday every week became a reality.  Monday morning, our space was filled with members and volunteers who came together to celebrate this huge milestone. We had great food and great conversation and the energy in the room was amazing! 

We are so grateful for all of you who have faithfully supported us with your prayers, time, and money. It is because of you that we are able to fulfill our mission of providing a caring, relational place that promotes a sense of self-worth and helps the homeless to become aware of their possibilities! A place where hope is restored and possibilities are realized!

Dreams Come True

One-on-One 2017 was amazing! Thank you to everyone who sponsored, donated, volunteered, and helped make the event a huge success! Through your generosity we met our goal!  We are excited to announce that we will be opening on Mondays beginning January 15th. Being open Monday-Friday each week is a dream we have had since we opened three years ago. Our members are grateful and we appreciate you helping to make our dreams come true. 

Unlikely Friends

Our “Unlikely Friends” evening last Friday night was powerful. One of the PARC members wrote me a letter and I believe her words describe the night perfectly.  “I was surrounded by a great community that just showered me with greetings of love, kindness and support. It felt like such a wonderful happening of people who love each other and love me. It was like a family reunion.” That is exactly how I felt!!

It was such a beautiful evening of people in our community coming from various and diverse backgrounds to be together, have conversation and make new friends. I love the way it communicated the heartbeat of the PARC and I was overwhelmed when I stood at the front of the theater and saw the members of the PARC propped up in their recliners with their popcorn and drinks. 

The story of Ron and Denver depicts so powerfully how relationship changes us and how that change then spreads throughout our community and further. That is what we are doing at the PARC. Relationships are formed, lives are changed and the cycle of homelessness is broken. As those that are often unseen find their value and remember who they are, they see the possibilities before them and begin to take the steps to move to their ‘next’.

I would like to invite you to join with us in changing the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Amarillo. For each member, it costs the PARC $25 a day, $125 a week and $500 a month to offer them life’s possibilities. Please consider partnering with us by giving to the PARC on a monthly basis and help provide for a member’s day, week or even month.

Thank you to everyone who came, to everyone who gave, to everyone who volunteered, and especially to Central Church of Christ, First United Methodist Canyon, St. Stephen United Methodist Church, More Church, and John and Karen Walker for sponsoring the night. With your help, we are rebuilding lives and helping the homeless become aware of life's possibilities!

Life Changes When We Volunteer

Jack Dison is a familiar face around the PARC. He comes weekly to lead a discussion group, and we are always blessed by his presence. I wanted to give you the opportunity to hear his perspective and the effect volunteering at the PARC has had on his life. There are many ways to volunteer at the PARC, and if you are interested I would love to tell you more.

Jack writes:

It seems to me that at the heart of Jesus’ teachings (and other similar traditions) we are called to love one another and to place the needs of others above our own.  That’s a challenging assignment.  How can we do that, especially for those who have been pushed aside and rejected? 

One of the few places that I have found those principles to be embodied, day-after-day, is in the organization known as the PARC. It offers a place where people facing enormous challenges can be and are accepted, encouraged, and supported. 

As a volunteer I get to participate in what the PARC offers.  That happens in at least two ways.  First, I get to witness the love that is available and exchanged in various ways for and among members who find their way to the PARC.  

That reminds me of the place in the Bible where Jesus explains that the two major commandments are (1) love God and (2) love your neighbor.  Someone then asked him “Who is my neighbor?”

Jesus then told the story that we call the Good Samaritan.  The story calls us to be merciful to those who are poor, rejected, and in need.  It calls us to get out of our comfort zones and to cross boundaries that normally would keep us apart.  The Jews and Samaritans were separated by distrust and hate.  But it was the Good Samaritan who showed mercy and love to the Jew who was in trouble and great need.  Obviously it was the Good Samaritan who was the neighbor, rather than the others who passed by and ignored the one who needed help.

In the PARC, members are given constructive ways to spend their days, rather than merely sitting and standing around doing little or nothing.  Those responsible for setting the PARC up and administering it, noticed ways that they could be Good Samaritans right here and right now in Amarillo, Texas. Doing that work is not easy, and in some cases it is quite difficult.

Second, as a volunteer I have the privilege to facilitate a “class” or group to give the PARC members an opportunity to share conversation which helps them take a deeper look at themselves than most have ever done.  I do this using what is called the “circle method.”  The technique is fairly simple.  We sit in a circle, we use a talking piece which we pass around the circle, and we share parts of our story, which direct us to look at where we have been in our lives, where we are now, and where we hope to be going in the future.  

Most members are drawn to and participate in what we do in the group.  We work together as a group to make it a safe place to share.  An important thing we do for each other in the group is to listen deeply to each other.  That is a gift of love we can exchange in our group process.  It is important to be listened to. 

Being facilitator does not make me the expert in the group.  While I help keep the group on track, I am one among all the others in the group.  I am convinced that the wisdom which emerges in such groups comes from every member of the group as we share our experience, our stories, and ourselves with each other.  

It is a huge honor for me to be a witness to the fine work of the PARC and to be a facilitator in the groups that meet each Tuesday morning.  It adds to my life every time I am there.  

I would not call myself a Good Samaritan, but the PARC gives me a chance to hang out with some people who are.

Faces of the PARC

These are my friends; my 'unlikely' friends. Carole has a master's degree in nursing and was a nurse for 41 years. Max is my hero. When he broke his leg he lost his house, but he continues to press through every hurdle to get well and get his life back. Cheryl is moving into her new house this week. Jeff had to leave to go interview for a job. Marvin is a kind and gentle man that manages to find work almost every day at day labor. Wendy found herself homeless when fleeing an abusive relationship. I wish you could meet Allison, Rani, James, Julie, Angela, Dalton, Tim, Billy, Rick, Kerry and so many more. My life is better. I am enriched and thankful for this place where I have the privilege to know those I would not have known.

The Power of Deciding

Ravi came to me last week and asked me to share his testimony of how his life has taken a dramatic turn in this past year. We, at the PARC, have had the privilege of walking with Ravi and watching him make hard decisions day after day. We have had the honor of seeing him take the steps to move to his 'next' and then his 'next'. He continues to move forward. These are his words.

"I have completely changed to become a better human being, filled with compassion and love to every person, place and things surrounding me. I was pushed to a corner with nowhere to turn, not knowing what was in store or which direction to go. I was surrounded by negative energies, hopelessness, bitterness, and anger. I CHOSE to lead a different lifestyle altogether, relying on honesty and truthfulness to shape my future. Slowly and cautiously I took steps with the help of support groups, organizations and opportunities to lay a strong foundation for a life full of abundant love and compassion. What I have accomplished is pure and crystal happiness.

"As a member of the PARC I utilized the tools provided to me to enhance my spiritual knowledge towards the purposes for my life. My unconditional commitment to every activity at the PARC has made me a better individual which is evident both in my qualitative and quantitative product of the principles and promises of the PARC".

At the PARC they are given back their name.

At the PARC they realize they are capable.

At the PARC the cycle of homelessness is broken and a sense of purpose is established.

Love Conquers All

As I reflect on the story of the PARC, there are so many victories and disappointments. I want to share one story that has touched my heart the most.

 If you have met Allison, you love her. Her authenticity and love for the Lord endears all those who know her. She loves God, scripture and people and is one of the mightiest prayer warriors I know. Allison has an addiction to meth and has engaged in a lifestyle not many of us would endorse for over 20 years. Through her time in coming to the PARC we have continued to love her, show her value and remind her that we love her not for what she does, but for who she is.  She is always welcome back and she will never run out of chances. Allison saw no way out, but over time she began to become aware that there were possibilities for her. She overcame many obstacles to FINALLY get her I.D. and social security card. I wish you could have been here to experience what Robert and I saw when Allison finally received her I.D. in the mail. She waited until she got to the PARC to open it. She prayed, kissed the envelope and then opened it up. When she saw it she threw her hands up, praised Jesus and hugged us both! She said the owed this all to the PARC.

Then, Allison applied for a job. We walked with her as she followed up on her application and then rejoiced with her when she  got the job. There was such a celebration that day. This is a true miracle indeed. She is so proud and determined. Allison took a HUGE next step. When I asked her how long it had been since she had worked, she asked, “You mean a public job? It’s been 20 years.”  Allison began her job and would come in each morning with a huge smile on her face to tell us about how her work was going and how much she loved her job.

When the PARC opened on Tuesday we heard that Allison had been kicked out of Salvation Army and lost her job. I  hoped she would come back to the PARC so we could try to help her to keep moving forward. She arrived at the PARC around 1:00 that day in her pajamas. She had no other clothes. I was so happy to see her and began to hear her story. Allison uses a lot of words, but what jumped out at me was that Allison had been told by someone at Salvation Army that she had lost her job and she just believed them. I asked her how many days of work she had missed. She told me that she had only missed one, so I encouraged her to call her boss, apologize and ask if she could keep her job.  As her eyes lit up she said, "I can do that?" We watched her make that phone call, saw tears come to her eyes and heard her say, "Thank you, Sir. Thank  you. I will be there and I will work hard." She hugged me and cried out of thankfulness and gratitude, and then she called her daddy in South Carolina. I had the privilege of talking to her sweet daddy and hearing him thank me for helping his daughter. I had some leggings in the cabinet that I gave her to wear to work.

My friends, this is the story of the PARC. Our privilege has been to know Allison, a person we would have never known if it weren't for the PARC. Our privilege has been to walk with her and continue to love her even though her lifestyle is not one we endorse.  Our honor has been to watch her walk in to a place she never thought possible because she found love, acceptance and value at the PARC. Allison came in hopeless, but she left with hope. This is the PARC. This is what we do. Isn't it wonderful? Aren't we lucky to get to be a part of the greatness and vastness of God's love, hope and destiny for those that are so often lost and forgotten? Love truly does conquer all!!

What Does Homeless Look Like?

Christy loves the PARC and she loves to tell other people how it has helped her. She arrived in Amarillo on January 1 with plans to stay with a friend, but she ended up at Salvation Army. These are her words:

"I heard about the PARC from some of the people at Salvation Army. When I walked through the door the first time I was met with a kind heart and open arms, and it threw me for a loop. I didn’t think it would be like this at all.  They showed me all the things I could do and learn. All they ask is that we try to be productive. They have good coffee, and everything in the PARC is free, which is overwhelming to me, too. There are classes on anything you can imagine.

"When I got here, I was surprised that the people that were here at the PARC were homeless. I think when you walk in here you become 'not a normal homeless person'. People will ask, 'What is a normal homeless person?' I will say that a normal homeless person is lost and not sure what direction to go. They become bitter and uncaring. People that are homeless are often become greedy and some want to stay homeless. But, the percentage that wants to move forward needs to come to the PARC. I wish I could tell people to follow me and let me show you something good.

"The PARC has opened my eyes to something I have never seen before. No one has ever reached out to me like this before. I’ve been in counseling and rehab, but it wasn’t the same. I've gotten more from here in the past month than I have in the past 5 years. I’ve gained confidence, courage, self-esteem, and I have someone that cares for me. I am a recovering addict and without the PARC I would have relapsed. The PARC has given me a place to go and not think about drugs. The PARC showed me goals I didn’t even know I had, and how to get them. I am about to move into an apartment in a few days, and I am saving for a vehicle. The PARC is teaching me that it is okay to talk to God anyway I want, that He loves me for who I am and that He forgives me. I never knew that. It makes me want to cry. I’ve learned to read the Bible and now I know that He can take me down any path and it’s going to be alright. He isn’t ever going to lie to me. He makes my heart feel really good. I’ve learned so much here at the PARC. If my Momma was still here she would be knocking on the door to tell you thank you.

"I have to thank Valerie and Robert for it all and the volunteers. When I tell people about the PARC, I tell them that Valerie is very protective and wants to show us how to be better people. She will talk to you and listen. Valerie and Robert are opposites. He teases me and makes me laugh. They are two kind people wanting to do some good for people that didn’t know there was any good out there."

What does homeless look like? It looks like Christy that just needed a place to find her value and know herself through the eyes of acceptance and love. It changes everything. Just ask Christy.

The Sky is the Limit

It is often hard to explain what we do at the PARC because it isn't tangible. What happens at the PARC happens within. It happens in their spirits. It happens in their souls. The things that happen at the PARC are sustaining. When those that come to the PARC leave, they carry deep within themselves the things that they have been given.

Anna came to the PARC 5 months ago. For the the first few weeks she just sat at a table and worked on her projects. She didn't talk much and had a lot of walls. Anna felt hurt by her family and life. She felt abandoned and alone. The longer she was here the more confident she became and the walls began to fall down. Her gifts became evident and her heart began to open. Anna is resourceful and a true servant. If anyone needed help she was quick to step in and do what was needed. She is extremely gifted in organizational skills and administration. Anna is smart! Somewhere in the journey of her life she had been told she had a learning disability and she carried that label. As she spent time at the PARC that label began to fall off and her heart began to heal. She began to believe in herself.

Last week as I walked past Anna's table she was sitting with a friend and crying. As I sat with her she told me that she had a choice to make. Her father had texted her and offered her the chance to come home and help her get back on her feet. She was scared. He lives in a city she has never lived and it would mean putting herself in a situation that had been painful in the past. I began to remind her of all the things she had discovered about herself and the ways she has changed. A volunteer joined me to encourage her and to remind her of how very capable she is. Anna found the confidence and courage to say yes. She found the confidence and courage to go back to her family and start a new life.

Anna has stayed in touch since she left. I received a message from her and she told me, "I'm pretty sure that moving to Dallas was the best and hardest choice I made. I have an interview on Monday. Things are going the way I wanted. Thank you, Valerie for  pushing me and letting me see the bright side of it all." 

Anna has hit the ground running since she arrived in Dallas. Matt Morgan is one of our volunteers that comes once a month to teach the members about how to get a job and the journey that is necessary in order to get their 'dream job'. He gives out his contact information and offers to help them if they need help. Anna told me, "I've been emailing Matt and he's been a big help with my resume and he will continue to help me. He answers back quickly."  Anna isn't giving up. She has had 6 interviews since arriving in Dallas. She has 2 interviews today and one on Saturday. She was nervous about a test she had to take for one of her interviews, but she passed it!! 

We ARE SO VERY PROUD OF HER. Life is hard, and when people experience homelessness, they quickly lose themselves and their sense of worth. The PARC is a place where they are encouraged and loved. There is an atmosphere where everyone can feel valued and respected. At the PARC, they realize they are capable, and a sense of purpose is established. The Sky is the Limit for Anna. There is no stopping her now!