LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
This weekend volunteers gathered at
the Lufkin Dream Center, to raise money for a facility that will soon change
lives.
"They don't have hope, they don't
have self-esteem, they just need a place to start over," said Diana
Brummett, homeless sister was killed.
Volunteers hope the Lufkin Dream Center will
be just that, a place where those who are struggling can be reacquainted with
hope.
"We have counseling services, we
have living facilities here, we are going to do classes. We want to teach
people how to survive and how to be proud of what they do," said Tracy
Berry, Chairman, Lufkin Dream Center Family Fun Day.
The outreach center was inspired by His Heart,
His Hands Ministries, an organization that volunteers their time to helping
those struggling with addiction, abuse and those who are homeless.
"We saw that when we would go
home that these people would have to go back to their homes and some had no
homes, some were a home of hopelessness so we knew we needed to do more,"
said Billie Johnson, Founder, Lufkin Dream Center.
The former Peavy Switch site currently
accommodates 40 men and 21 women and children
"There are three facilities right
now that need restoration to be operational," said Johnson.
Diana Brummett is an avid supporter of
the center, her homeless sister Joy was killed last August. Brummett believes a
place like the dream center could have saved her sister's life.
"She needed a place where she
could just start new and I think this dream center is going to be that place
for a lot of people," said Brummett.
"There is not a family out there
that hasn't been touched by addiction, by hurt, by loss, so we're just trying
to offer them a hand up not so much a hand out," said Berry.
Officials hope that the dream center
will change not only the lives of those struggling but the entire community.
"My hope for the dream center, is
that it will be a city on a hill, that when people leave here their lives will
be restored," said Johnson.
Construction on the buildings will
begin in August, dream center officials hope to begin services in September.
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