The Challenge:
The Buckner Family Place program is a transitional living program for single parents designed to address a variety of social issues that create barriers to self-sufficiency for these parents, including poverty, a lack of education, expensive housing, inaccessible or unaffordable child care and a lack of transportation.

Buckner Family Place provides safe, affordable housing to single parents and their children while the parents are enrolled in an educational or vocational program. In addition, a full-time licensed social worker is provided to assist the families. The program provides the foundation needed to stabilize a family in crisis.

Our program is unique in the Amarillo area. There are others that serve families with housing or education, but none provides the total package of affordable housing, educational criteria, case management and client assistance.

Renovations Planned:
The Buckner Family Place apartments were built in 1948. Excellent maintenance has been provided over the years, but 12 apartments need extensive renovation. Each apartment renovation calls for new kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances; replacement of all interior doors; replacement of all interior light fixtures; new window treatments; new windows with fusion-welded single hung vinyl windows; new carpeting; new kitchen, bath and entry flooring; and new heating and air conditioning systems.

The Renovation Challenge Grant: Buckner has received a challenge grant of $45,000 from the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation of the Amarillo Area Foundation. The grant will be awarded to Buckner if an additional $22,500 can be raised by Dec. 31, 2009. The total amount of $67,500 will provide enough funds to renovate three apartments.