VRBC members are moving beyond our borders to serve in other areas of the country. VRBC members are moving beyond our borders to serve in other areas of the country. We are partnering with Buckner in the Rio Grande Valley to begin a Community Transformation Center (CTC). The potential for both involvement and impact is monumental, and we are so excited about this opportunity.
Within three to five years, we hope to use this training and experience to start a CTC in Valley Ranch, adapting the model as necessary to fit the specific needs and resources of our community. We will need to solicit other churches, community organizations, businesses, and individual donors to help fund a CTC in Valley Ranch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the CTC in the Rio Grande Valley:
Location: Colonias are unincorporated communities that lack physical infrastructures such as running water, storm drainage, sewers and paved streets. The CTC will be located in either Pueblo de Palma, El Conejo, La Fruta, or El Flaco, colonias north of Mission, TX. All are near where we built three houses in June 2009.
Progress: In each of these locations Buckner is already in the process of sending Mission trip teams to repair and build houses. Additionally they are also coordinating Medical Clinics with Valley Baptist Medical Center and have established relationships with different agencies to provide social services. Buckner has also contracted to provide crisis intervention services to truant and at risk children.
Timeline: The CTC will launch once 80% of the funding is secured.
Partners: Other large churches considering this partnership are First Baptist Knoxville, Wilshire Baptist and Park Cities Baptist, who can form a “VTeam” to work together in the Valley. Buckner will also be developing a marketing effort to raise funds from individual donors and smaller churches.