Eric Nelson, J.J. Schweiger, Diane Siegler, Sheila Choate, Keri Goins and Barney Brock
The North Texas Home Builders Association made donations to four area non-profit organizations Thursday, Jan. 9, at the association’s January membership luncheon held at the Kemp Center for the Arts.
Presented with donations were the Children’s Aid Society, Faith Refuge, Patsy’s House, and Straight Street.
Sheila Choate, executive director, said the Children’s Aid Society of West Texas provides help and shelter for abused or neglected children. The organization has been helping children since 1912. She stressed the need for more foster homes in the Wichita Falls area.
Diane Siegler, site manager for Faith Refuge, said Faith Refuge is a women’s homeless shelter with three wings: one for single women, one for women with children, and one called “New Beginnings” for addiction recovery, and an area to assist women with GED, job preparation, and life skills.
Keri Goins, executive director of Patsy’s House, said the children’s advocacy center offers a safe place for children. They work closely with Child Protective Services and offer free counseling.
J.J. Schweiger, executive director of Straight Street, said Straight Street creates a safe, Christian environment for at-risk youngsters between the ages of 11 to 18. She noted that NTHBA members Mark Lam and Bill McGregor are big sponsors of the program. She added that Straight Street has more than 100 kids visiting their facility each night.
NTHBA President Barney Brock also said the North Texas Home Builders Association is seeking applications for the association’s scholarship program. The deadline is May 1, and interested persons can apply at finisw70.sg-host.com. The scholarship guidelines are found on the website. The scholarships are for anyone graduating from high school or currently in college who live in Wichita, Archer, or Clay counties and who want to go into the construction field.