As we celebrate our first decade, the staff at 6 Stones felt that we ought to reflect on the history of our organization and programs. We invited key figures from the early days of this nonprofit to share their memories of the process by which we became the organization we are today. What follows is an Oral History of 6 Stones, as narrated by the people who made it happen.
The history of 6 Stones is vast and complex. It weaves together various organizations and programs, all of which have evolved over time. Rather than attempting to trace these interconnected changes, we have divided our history into thematic sections and arranged those pieces in something resembling a chronological order:
The City of Euless selects two homes to pilot a partnership: First Euless agrees to restore a house on Freestone Drive while Restoration Church completes work they began independently on Wilshire Drive.
First 2 home renovations completed (First Euless & Restoration Church)
An apartment complex near First Baptist Church of Euless caught fire and one of the residents asked the church for help. After realizing they did not have a good way to assist, Pastor John Meador commissioned Scott Sheppard to research possible solutions.
First Baptist Church of Euless launches a separate non-profit to support Euless Revitalization and to meet the needs of the community adopting the name “6 Stones” for the broader organization.
First Euless Revitalization (ER) Blitz with 17 homes renovated.
First agreement with a multi-family housing partner. This birthed Community Ministries.
Operation Back 2 School launched in partnership with HEB ISD. 1,300 children from 9 schools served in partnership with HEB Family Support Services.
Night of Wonder launched in 9 schools, 600 families served
At the request of administrators in HEB ISD, 6 Stones helps to develop an intramural soccer program to serve Junior High boys in the district. Exact dates and details are uncertain.
Bedford and Hurst city management recruited, 6 Stones reach expanded by joint 380 Agreements from Euless and each of the new cities. ER becomes CPR.
100th home renovated by CPR
Black & Blue Showdown food drive event proposed by HEB student and implemented by 6 Stones.
In cooperation with the City of Bedford a Community Garden was created to increase community involvement and help supply the food pantry with fresh, healthy food. Garden plots began in summer of 2011. Pavilion completed in November 2012.
6 Stones hosts leaders from Waxahachie and give them basic playbooks. Over the next year they create Mission 75165 and replicate Night of Wonder in their community.
CPR celebrates 200th home renovation
Inaugural “Run for Hope” event launched to engage the community and expand the capacity of Operation Back 2 School.
Operation Back 2 School expands to provide supplies to Junior High and High School students
380 agreement signed with the City of Cleburne. Clean up day that fall and first big “blitz” on March 26, 2015
First CPR Blitz in the City of Watauga.
Night of Wonder serves 3,206 children in final year before re-branding as “Night of Hope.”
6 Stones partners with the City of Richland Hills and puts on the first CPR Blitz.
400th home renovated by CPR
Night of Hope serves 3,400+ students in HEB ISD
The intramural soccer league run in partnership between 6 Stones and HEB ISD is officially re-branded as Liga HEB. It serves over 100 at-risk boys in junior high in 2016.
Haltom City joins Watauga and Richland Hills for the Spring Blitz in the Quad Cities
Community Leaders from all over North America gather at 6 Stones to discuss City Transformation. Author Eric Swanson is the Keynote Speaker.
Secondary Schools distribute 3,000 supply kits to their students at registration and another 2,510 children and their families pick up Back 2 School packages during a one-day social service fair at 6 Stones.
The City of Euless becomes the first partnering community to reach the 200 home milestone through Community-Powered Revitalization. Total homes restored approaches 600.
More local students receive Christmas than ever before as 1,646 families attend a Christmas party on a local elementary school campus and a total of 4,242 children are supported by Night of Hope.
Community Members are empowered to directly support 6 Stones initiatives through small and manageable monthly gifts. To emphasize the collective nature of our work, the new donor team is called “The Coalition.”
135 pastors and leaders from churches all over the country help to restore 5 homes in two new cities: Arlington and Everman.
With 3,000 Secondary kits distributed to junior high and high school students at registration and another 2,839 handed out during a one-day social service fair, Operation Back 2 School equips more students than ever in advance of the 2018-2019 HEB ISD school year.
Donations from the 2018 Black vs Blue Food Drive total 102,882 food items as River Trails Elementary collects almost 45 items per student. Trinity High School defeats L.D. Bell in the High School category for the first time, raising 4.39 cans per student.
The City of Grapevine, TX finalizes agreements to join a list of city partners served by Community Powered Revitalization. The first Grapevine homes will be restored in the Spring of 2019.
A Coalition of churches, business, schools, governments, and other entities come together to celebrate 10 Years of incredible accomplishments in this community. Pastor John Meador is awarded the 2018 Gary McKamie Catalyst of Hope Award.
The 6 Stones Board selects and installs Jennifer Leney as Scott Sheppard's replacement after he steps down as Executive Director to pursue other ministry opportunities.
The first Grapevine homes restored by CPR are completed during the Spring Blitz. The total number of homes restored by CPR passes 700.
6 Stones and Cross City agree to begin researching capital campaigns and a potential new home for 6 Stones offices, which have been located within Campus West since 2009.
