Church group builds playground for Family Crisis Center transitional housing

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Volunteers from First Baptist Church in Lufkin built a new playground and installed fresh landscaping at a Family Crisis Center of East Texas transitional housing property.

The project was part of the church’s annual Love Lufkin service day. A volunteer team assembled the playground equipment and spruced up flower beds across the property in about two hours.

“We were so grateful for that group to come out and just do a day of service for us, for our agency,” said Whitney Burran, executive director of the Family Crisis Center of East Texas. “And they had it up in two hours.”

The project marks the second consecutive year the church has selected the agency for its day of service. Last year, volunteers added flagstone around a gazebo at the organization’s emergency shelter.

The Family Crisis Center provides emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, and an 18-month rent-free transitional housing program across nine East Texas counties for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Burran said the playground directly supports children recovering from trauma by offering recreation and routine during an unstable time.

“Statistically, if we have a parent or an adult here, like there’s two or three children with that individual who is needing help and support, too,” Burran said. “Creating that sense of normalcy where kids can just be kids is so incredibly important to us.”

In 2025, the transitional housing program served 80 people, including 50 children residing with a parent. Agency officials estimate about 20 children currently living at the location will use the new equipment.

Community members can support the agency through its thrift stores, ongoing food and hygiene drives, and its annual Adopt-a-Family holiday program.