“Vision” runs deep in the heritage of Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries. The nonprofit grew from the vision David and Agnes Hubbard first realized in 2000, to create a ministry to alleviate suffering, fight poverty and transform the lives of the poor and needy.
That vision took off, initially serving 30 families through connections with three churches while operating out of the Hubbard’s garage. It now serves more than 80,000 people annually in eight counties from its 40,000 square-foot warehouse-office established in 2015 on land on Cascade Caverns.
But “the vision” never fades, because the need never diminishes.
When the current warehouse was built, a concrete slab was poured right next door. That slab sat unused until last year, when Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries (HCDBM) began construction on its Vision Center.
This week, HCDBM expects to receive its letter of occupancy to begin using the 8,000 square-foot building that Hubbard calls “a game-changer" in the nonprofit’s effort to reach more clients, with improved services.
“We will be able to bring so many services under one roof, where they are currently scattered at churches and in places in several counties,” Hubbard said on Thursday.
Communications Director Debi Watson said the vision center “has been a dream since (2015) and is finally becoming a reality.”
The building can accommodate up to 300 guests with a full kitchen available for use. Watson outlined some of the planned uses for the facility.
“It will be used for consolidating and expanding at-risk youth programming, poverty alleviation, workshops, leadership and continuing education for mentoring, church partners and training volunteers,” she said. “In addition to these programs, community projects and events can be held.”
First up will be HCDBM’s Summer Leadership Academy, which begins June 9.
SLA is a leadership program for the organization’s Stand By Me Mentoring program for students K-12, designed to raise the expected outcomes for at-risk students by creating opportunities for them to become leaders in the community.
During the summer these children will participate in one week of Christian camp, volunteer in their local community and will learn how to apply God’s word and His plan to their lives.
“We do SLA every year, it’s June 9-July 24 this year ... for children from elementary to high school," Watson said. “It’s a seven-week program designed for at-risk children, to help them break the cycle of being at-risk, where they learn leadership and service skills.”
The program includes one week at a Christian Summer Camp.
There is no fee for the 65 students who will participate, as Watson said HCDBM seeks people to sponsor children, and is in the process of raising funds for SLA support.
The Vision Center will help bring the SLA participants together under one roof, instead of having them scattered at various churches, as in years’ past.
“This has been a long time coming. We’re just so glad to finally see it completed, and ready to open,” she added.
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