Texas Tidbits: TBM volunteers offer relief after floods

About a dozen Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers from North Texas worked on a mud-out crew to assist flood-damaged First Baptist Church in Lavon. (TBM Photos)

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About a dozen Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers from North Texas worked on a mud-out crew to assist flood-damaged First Baptist Church in Lavon. tbm disaster lavon300TBM volunteer removes debris from First Baptist Church in Lavon.Floodwater and an overflowing septic tank caused extensive damage to the church’s sanctuary and fellowship hall. After unbolting pews from the floor and clearing them from the worship center, volunteers removed damaged drywall, insulation and cabinets before power washing and disinfecting affected areas. Another crew of 10 volunteers from Harmony-Pittsburg Baptist Association, the Dallas area and Golden Triangle Baptist Association served on mud-out projects in Louisiana. The volunteers worked on three houses in Shreveport and two in Natchitoches. 

Foundation grant benefits BCFS resource center and youth apartments. BCFS—formerly Baptist Child & Family Services—Health and Human Services received a $170,000 grant from the Perry and Ruby Stevens Charitable Foundation to help furnish its Texas Hill Country Resource Center and youth apartments. The BCFS Texas Hill Country Resource Center, set to open later this year, will be the cornerstone of Kerrville’s nonprofit block, offering a variety of programming and services through several area nonprofit organizations that will be headquartered in the 20,000-square-foot structure. The transitional-living apartments provide housing to youth aging out of foster care and other young adults struggling with homelessness. Apartment improvements, including kitchen and bathroom upgrades, began this year. In 2008, the foundation donated $100,000 to help turn the original complex into apartments for BCFS youth. The transitional-living apartment complex is a drug-free and alcohol-free facility consisting of eight units, with one unit reserved for a resident adviser. BCFS works with tenants to help them gain independence by providing job placement services, counseling and assistance in getting into college or trade school.


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