By Chelsea Quackenbush
Buckner International

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other and even more so because you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Transformation is not going to take place in a community if it’s not going to take place in the individual.

That’s the goal of Buckner’s Community Transformation Centers around the world. Case managers work with local families and individuals to address physical, medical, emotional, vocational and above all, spiritual needs to transform their hearts and lives.

“There needs to be a transformation of the heart,” said Dexton Shores, a regional director of Buckner Latin American ministries. “If there’s a relationship with God and families are connected with local churches, the likelihood of transformation increases dramatically.”

Little by little, Buckner staff are making connections and building relationships with people and families in the communities they serve to teach lasting lessons about how to do life better. Like Jesus told his disciples, life is better when in community with one another.

They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Buckner CTCs provide a holistic approach to the communities they serve by delivering an integrated, needs-based continuum of care to vulnerable children and their families. They are located in fragile communities, surrounded by poverty and crime. The centers seek to enable and empower parents to provide a safe, stable and loving environment for their children.

The first CTC opened in 2009 in Jocotenango, a small community on the edge of Antigua, Guatemala. Now there are eight CTCs scattered in the Rio Grande Valley, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Peru, and 10 more Buckner plans to open in 2012.

Each center delivers a slate of opportunities that include health services, social services, educational services, access to humanitarian aid and spiritual enrichment.

Read more about our CTCs around the world by following the links below:

Penitas, Texas - The only domestic Buckner CTC helped Albert Diaz turn his 12 years of painting experience into a small business. The Diaz-Gonzalez family is a best-case scenario representation of the families Buckner Border Ministries serves. Read their story.

Neza, Mexico - The Maná CTC in Neza has opened a satellite CTC in the Las Villas community, a squatter community of extreme poverty near railroad tracks. The program currently relies on volunteers while Buckner staff make evaluations and determine whether or not they will open a full-service CTC.

Sierra Leone - Matilda Conteh was once resigned to a life of begging. Now, through a partnership between Buckner and the Global Connections Partnership Network, she has learned a trade and hopes to support herself and her children.

Roatan, Honduras - Last summer, Alex was a 5-year-old Honduran problem facing serious health problems. Now, he's healthy and learning how to stay that way.

Zaachila, Mexico - A new initiative from Buckner Mexico seeks to turn families' lives around 180 degrees.

Eduardo Brito, Dominican Republic - The Buckner CTC in Eduardo Brito has partnered with Esperanza Bank to kickstart a microloan program that will help families become self-reliant as they build small businesses.

To learn more about how you can support one of the Buckner Community Transformation Centers and accompanying ministries, please contact the Buckner Foundation at 214-758-8000.