Ray and Minnie Davis give thanks to the Lubbock Dream Center and other joint partners because they were given a beacon of hope with a newly remodeled home. This happened after their life took an unexpected turn four years ago.
"This is a new house thanks to God and the dream center," he said.
"Two soldiers got out, I didn't tell my wife anything and two sliders got out and I said probably it's my son giving us a big surprise, but it was a surprise alright, but not what we wanted." "That he got killed in Iraq so my wife started crying you know a lot of screaming, and while they were there we had to call an ambulance because she even had a heart attack."
However, it's stories like the Davis family that motivated the Lubbock Dream Center to be built. Pastor Jackie White said it is just more than a place that provides basic life needs, but a place that changes lives.
"A place to come to be encouraged, a place to come to be strengthen to strengthen their faith and their hope that their life can get better," White said.
Stacie Boggs, who works at the Lubbock Dream Center, said the center changed her life.
"My husband and I come from a long line of addiction in both of our families and I struggle with that," she said. "I started coming here and they just loved me and prayed with me and gave me the strength to overcome it."
"We felt like we needed to do something to reach out a neighborhood in our city, that maybe need some extra help," White said.
The Slaton and Bean neighborhood was chosen and the rest is history. The center has developed an endless list of services such as a food assistance program, GED classes, adult literacy classes, free haircuts, gives toys for those in need around the holiday season, and provides free clothing.
"Process of helping your dream become a reality it's amazing how suddenly my dream becomes a reality," White said.
As for the Davis family whose life has changed because of the center, one reality is around the holiday season it reminds them the last time they saw their son Chris.
"This Christmas like the last few ones they have been kind of sad, because it's the last time we saw our Son was on Christmas," Davis said. "So this year we didn't put up a Christmas tree or lights, but next year so I hope you can visit us again, and we will show you a nice Christmas tree and lights outside and everything."
"This is kind of the season of hope and dreams for people," White said.
"Thank God for all the blessings and the dream center and everyone out there," Davis said.
The Lubbock Dream Center also seeks monetary donations and volunteers.
