Thursday, February 18, 2010

Albert Reyes, the new president of Buckner International, visited with clients and staff at Buckner Children and Family Services in Longview on Wednesday.

It was the first stop on what Reyes characterized as his “presidential tour” in which he will visit all of the nonprofit agency’s Texas facilities.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve in this position,” Reyes said. “Our mission remains the same: to make life better for vulnerable children and elders.”

Buckner operates a wide range of services aimed at helping children, including foster and adoptive care and after school programs. Its elder care facilities in Longview include the first nursing home in Texas modeled on the Green House concept, which provide a more homelike atmosphere than typical nursing homes.

“We’ll continue to offer our adoptive and foster care homes for children who need a home different from the one their biological parents are able to provide,” Reyes said, “because, unfortunately, there’s always going to be a need for those services. However, we’re also putting more emphasis on family-strengthening programs, to help keep families healthy so there are fewer children in foster care.”

Imani Perry, 13, was on hand to represent the Stars program, which Buckner runs in conjunction with First Baptist Church, to provide tutoring and mentoring for middle school students.

“It’s been a really good thing for me to be part of,” Perry said. “They help me with my homework and provide a lot of support in making the right choices.”

Her mother, Treva Perry, said she had an older child go through the program and was glad it was available.

Kara and Locke Curfman, who recently began serving as foster parents through Buckner, said the experience has been beneficial for them and their family.

“I was adopted through Buckner as an infant and I’ve always wanted to serve as a foster parent, but it took awhile for our whole family to be on the same page about the idea,” Kara Curfman said.

Published by Longview News Journal:  http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2010/02/18/02182010_buckner.html

Longview, Texas:  Defining moments—you know, those small instances in the day that seem to make everything right; that make every effort worthwhile.  I experienced one of these instances just recently during our S.T.A.R.S. After-School Program.  Between discussing math problems, reminding the students to use encouraging words instead of negative, and keeping them focused on their tasks, one student approached me, pointing at the bulletin board. 

“Miss, that says Luke.  I’ve heard of Luke.  He wrote a book in the Bible.  I’ve been reading the Bible.” 

“That’s great Antonio!” I encouraged.  “What have you been reading?”

“Well, it hasn’t been Luke.  I’ve been reading in Matthew.  The Crucifixion of Jesus.  I just can’t seem to get enough of it.  I keep re-reading the same passage over and over.  I find it so interesting.”

“What about this passage do you find so intriguing.”

“You know miss, He [Jesus] just hung there, in pain.  He could have gotten off of there if he wanted, but He didn’t.  I don’t think I could have done that.  If I was hurting so much, I would have just gotten off.”

With a smile, he soon carried on with his homework and our conversation was over.  But in that moment, there was a peace that soothed over all the hectic conversations and loud noises.  It was that instance that blessed my heart more than he will ever know.  That moment made the program a success; it made all the hard times worthwhile.  Buckner’s vision: “to lead children…towards God’s redemptive purpose for their lives” was revealed in that defining moment. 

-Kandyce Ormes

Life Skills Specilist

BCFS-Longview

Reyes served previously as president of Buckner Children and Family Services, a position he has held since 2007. Prior to joining Buckner, he was president of Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio.

Scott McIlveene, chair of the Buckner board of trustees, said Reyes was the only candidate considered to replace Hall, who was elected to the post in 1993. Reyes will report directly to the board of trustees.

“Dr. Reyes brings the perfect mix of vision, passion and intellect to the task, especially at this point in the history of Buckner,” McIlveene said. “We are uniquely poised as a ministry to move forward like never before, thanks to tremendous work of Buckner’s previous five presidents.”

Reyes, who becomes the first non-Anglo to lead Buckner since its founding in 1879, said, “I understand that with such a great honor come great challenges and opportunities.

“The orphans, vulnerable children, families, and elders served by Buckner depend on us to make their lives better,” he said. “That is tremendous honor, but also a serious responsibility.”

Hall continues in his role as CEO, also reporting to the trustees, while working closely with the staff of Buckner Foundation to secure financial support for the work of Buckner. He will also serve as a consultant to Reyes.

As president of Buckner, Reyes will manage the organization’s nearly $100-million annual budget, while overseeing the daily operations of more than 1,300 employees worldwide. Those operations include work through Buckner Children and Family Services’ domestic and international ministries and Buckner Retirement Services’ seven senior living communities in Texas.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Reyes earned his bachelor of business administration in management from Angelo State University and his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as the doctor of ministry from Southwestern. He completed his doctor of philosophy degree from Andrews University in 2009.

He served as founder and pastor of Pueblo Nuevo Community Church in El Paso, Texas for seven years before becoming president at BUA. He also served as pastor of churches in Dallas. From 1981-88, he was a manager for the National Customer Service Center for Sprint.

“Buckner as a ministry and those served by Buckner owe a great debt of gratitude to Ken Hall for the great leadership he has given the past 16 years,” Reyes said. “My vision is to build on what Dr. Hall has started – to go farther and faster with God’s help.”

Reyes and his wife Belinda have three sons, Joshua, David and Thomas. They are members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Click here to watch a video about Albert Reyes.

Click here to read a feature story about Albert Reyes from Buckner Today.

Deniese Dillon, executive director of Dillon International, said donations were being sent to Dillon and Buckner to be forwarded to Gladys Thomas’s Hope Hospital, which has received many casualties from the quakes.

“We’ve worked with Gladys for 25 years,” Dillon said. “Our background has been placing orphan children from her Hope Hospital and Haiti Home for Children with adoptive families.” Gladys Thomas also serves as director for Dillon’s Haitian adoption programs.”

The funds will be used to offset the needs Hope Hospital will meet over the next several weeks.

Dillon said “Gladys will be bringing people to her hospital and she’ll be overflowing with victims. We’re collecting funds to purchase gasoline for the generators, food and additional medical supplies.”

Sergio Ramos, director of Buckner International’s Latin American initiatives in Peru, Dominican Republic and Honduras, said he’s received “many, many calls from supporters expressing their desire to help the people of Haiti. We considered that a mandate to give. Providentially, Dillon had a connection there that will make a great impact in response to this horrible event.”

Dillon said she had spoken to Thomas Wednesday morning and “learned that the Children’s Village and Hope Hospital are okay. There has been some flooding and one of the walls on a building collapsed, and many people are gathering in this location but otherwise all is well. The Village (orphanage) has food, but the children are scared. There will be many people throughout the Haitian community that will continue to come to Hope Hospital looking for care…it is already very full with earthquake victims.”

To make a donation now for disaster relief to Haiti, click here.

Below are several options for the ways you can be involved in making life better for children and families this year.

1. Consider adoption. You may have never considered taking a child into your home, but this might just be the year to do so. Do you have extra room in your home and heart for a child who may have never known the love of family? Adoption is a profound way to do your part in making life better for orphans – and it’s more affordable than you think. Scholarship support, grants and tax credits go a long way in making this option a reality for your family. Learn more about adoption domestically with Buckner (beafamily.org) and internationally with Dillon International (dillonadopt.com). Or give us a call and we’ll help you know your options.
2. Collect shoes. One of the easiest ways to count your impact for children is through hosting a shoe drive for Shoes for Orphan Souls. Each pair of new shoes collected represents a child who will know God’s love in a tangible way. Many orphans receive old, misfit hand-me-down shoes and have never owned anything new they can call their own. This simple gift makes a big impact in their lives and reminds them that they are loved. Find out about the ways you can host a shoe drive in your church or community in 2010 at www.shoesfororphansouls.org.
3. Give your resources. The ministries of Buckner depend on the faithful support of donors who recognize the opportunity to create change through their financial gifts. Regular monthly donations can make the biggest impact on Buckner’s ministries because of their steady support. The Voice program at Buckner allows for monthly giving at just $25 a month and can help support any number of our international programs. You can even designate where you want your gifts to go. Contact a Buckner Foundation gift officer at 214-758-8050 today to learn about the ways you can be a blessing to others in this way.
4. Volunteer. Opportunities for volunteerism abound at Buckner. Consider becoming a respite care provider for foster families in Texas; volunteer to help sort shoes at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid in Dallas; or learn about the ways you can mentor a child or participate in one of our after-school programs statewide. Contact us to learn more about the options where you live at volunteers@buckner.org.
5. Take a mission trip. Buckner arranges for dozens of individuals and church groups to travel and visit our ministry locations worldwide where teams can participate alongside national staff in ministering to orphans, hosting medical and dental clinics, providing manual labor and more. Their support is critical in helping Buckner staff, sometimes in remote locations, access materials and manpower needed to help impoverished children and communities. Learn more about missions opportunities with Buckner at www.itsyourmission.com or call Susan Williams, director of missions support, at 214-381-1442 or 1-877-7ORPHAN.
6. Commit to pray. One of the most powerful ways you can support our ministries in 2010 is to commit to pray. Our weekly prayer e-newsletter provides prayer needs and praises for God’s work through our ministry. Your commitment to prayer for Buckner can help us meet our goals for building God’s kingdom in 2010. Sign up for the prayer e-mail here and make a commitment to prayer.

What are you going to do to help orphans, vulnerable children and families in 2010? Use the comment feature below to tell us what you’re going to do.

Can’t Wait?

How long ’til Christmas?

…But who’s counting?

Today, Buckner provides at-risk children, families and senior adults in East Texas with a variety of services, including counseling, crisis relief, foster care and adoption training and services, and community outreach programs.

Foster Care and Adoption

Buckner provides families in East Texas with training and resources needed to become a foster family to a child living in the state’s custody or by adopting a child available for adoption in the United States or internationally.

Counseling Services

Buckner counseling services are designed to reach and inspire hope in every member of the family. A caring and well-trained professional can assist in resolving conflict, discovering strengths and moving forward with confidence so that you may experience a fuller relationship with God and with others. Buckner counseling provides services on a sliding scale fee and does not allow finances to prevent counseling services.

The Mission Center

The Buckner Mission Center meets the needs of families by providing basic resources, including clothing, diapers and other aid, and connecting families with other community resources for assistance. Items collected and distrusted at the Mission Center include: clothing, household items, baby items, furniture, cleaning supplies, diapers and baby wipes and hygiene supplies.

STARS After-school Program
The STARS (Serving, Teaching And Reaching Students) after-school program provides middle school children in Longview with a safe, positive and fun learning environment. STARS students are encouraged in their studies, receive social skills training and are involved in Bible study and recreational activities.

Give Now

“It’s been a tough year financially for a lot of people and we want Longview families to know that we are here to help,” said Michelle Heflin, community program supervisor.

Families seeking holiday assistance for children (birth-12th grade) can begin making appointments Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. by calling Buckner at 903-757-9383. Appointments will not be scheduled before this date or accepted by walk-in.

Families that are scheduled for a private interview must provide the following information upon arrival or the interview will be terminated:

• proof of monthly income and expenses
• photo ID
• identification for each family member.

Buckner participates as a member of the Elf Coalition, whose members include Haverty’s Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Highway 80 Rescue Mission, Blue Santa and Buckner.

“The purpose of our cooperative efforts is to avoid duplication of services, promote the holiday assistance project to the community at large, and ensure that families who need assistance can access that assistance easily,” says Waynelle Kuhlman, chairperson for Haverty’s Angel Tree.

Buckner is also seeking individuals and families to sponsor Longview-area families in this project. To learn more about the ways you can help, contact Buckner at 903-757-9383.

The Buckner Foster Care program provides the unique opportunity for a family to share their home with a child in need of a temporary home. Currently, there are approximately 500,000 children living in foster homes in the United States with close to 30,000 in Texas. Many of these children have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect.

When you become a Buckner foster parent, you make an investment in the life of a child. These are children who belong in families – children who need families to love and care for them.
As a Buckner foster parent, you become part of a family that has been caring for children and families since 1879. With ministries throughout Texas and around the world, Buckner is a strong, stable support system for you and your foster child.If you are interested in learning more about this life-changing ministry to children, please give us a call at 903-757-9383. We’d love to tell you about how God is working in these children’s lives and the lives of our foster families!