Recognizing Community Powered Revitalization
Carolina Ramirez
In the House of Representatives
Congressional Record
Proceedings and Debates of the 112th Congress, First Session
HON. KENNY MARCHANT
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 6 Stones Mission Network and the cities of Hurst, Euless, and Bedford for their philanthropic project, Community Powered Revitalization (CPR).
In the midst of celebrating its 100th anniversary, First Baptist Church Euless found themselves on the brink of insolvency and without a leader. The massive debt and red ink on day-to-day expenses left little hope for repayment. Instead of closing its doors, the church began reverently praying for a miracle.
Within 27 months, six million dollars of debt was paid off and all other IOUs fulfilled – a miracle indeed. Overcoming this significant internal trial shifted the church’s financial perspective towards helping others. Their new-found surplus of resources allowed the church to readily respond when the City of Euless needed assistance with a home revitalization project in 2008. After finishing their first home renovation, the church gained vision for a new non – profit, 6 Stones Mission Network. Launched in January 2009, 6 Stones is a coalition of cities, local churches, and businesses collaborating to meet the needs of those throughout Tarrant County.
Through 6 Stones, the CPR project was created in partnership with the cities of Euless, Bedford and Hurst to help struggling homeowners with costly, necessary improvements. In the Spring of 2011, the project surpassed the benchmark of assisting 100 homeowners in despair. While their services are offered year round, two CPR “Blitz” events take place annually, which involve a large volunteer base working together to impact several homes within two days. The product of one community’s victory over financial woes is now breathing life into struggling communities across the 24th Congressional District of Texas.
CPR actually began in 2008 when Gary McKamie, City Manager of Euless, presented two churches the opportunity to help two families with terrific needs in maintaining their homes. They both were in great need, but just did not have the resources, expertise, or where-with-all to keep the homes up to code. They City of Euless had established a Leadership Team of employees representing every department of the city to not just lead, but to create and develop the program, along with area churches, businesses or other organizations that wanted to impact the community. That program was called Euless Revitalization. The First Baptist Church Euless was so impacted by the opportunity to work on the first house, and realizing the many other growing needs in the community, launched a non-profit, called 6 Stones Mission Network. Its purpose was to renovate homes, as well as try to help meet needs throughout Hurst, Euless and Bedford.
Then in the summer of 2010, the invitation was extended to Bedford and Hurst to partner with 6 Stones and the City of Euless, to help homeowners in their cities as well. That was the birth of CPR.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking 6 Stones Mission Network and the cities of Hurst, Euless, and Bedford for their selfless service to our communities. I am honored to represent these great cities and to share their story with my colleagues in Congress.
Honorable Kenny Marchant
Member of U.S. Congress