Breaking the Cycle of Poverty by Building Bridges to Economic Opportunity

The prophet Zechariah recorded a message from God in chapter 7:9-10 saying: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” The prophet relays a message for a people living in community where some residents are oppressed, orphaned, aliens, and poor. God’s heart consistently moves to the margins of society to administer justice, mercy, and compassion through his people.

One of the best programs at Buckner International focused at the margins is the Family Hope Center. Buckner Family Hope Centers® are planted in the toughest and most economically challenged areas where we serve.

I began leaning in with families who were experiencing stability and challenged them to allow their children to dream of a better future, expect high school graduation, and consider training and educational opportunities beyond high school. One of the first families I worked with began to access community college and the eldest son is studying engineering on a full scholarship to study engineering in Florida. Following the success of this first family, I encouraged our Family Hope Center leadership to establish a College and Career Program to work with junior high school and high school students to help them dream about their potential vocations and build bridges to higher education or vocational training.

In May of 2026, Martha Rodriguez, the Buckner Family Hope Center Director at Bachman Lake, reported the graduation of 10 students through our College and Career Program. Seven of the 10 graduates are attending college at schools like University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A & M University, University of North Texas at Denton, Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Texas Woman’s University, and Dallas College. One of the students graduated with a in nursing degree; one student will work in the family business; and one is undecided. These students are majoring in biology, robotics engineering, graphic design, computer science, and nursing among other professional fields.

A college degree is a transformational step in the economic development of a family. This is justice, mercy, and compassion in action. These students will be first generation college graduates and professionals whose families struggled to make a living and support them through high school. Buckner is strengthening families and transforming generations by breaking the cycle of poverty. Higher education opportunities have become a vehicle to accomplish that goal. It starts with hope, an idea, a dream, encouragement, support, scholarships, and real-time support of the children and youth in these families. Hope shines here and I could not be prouder of the difference Buckner is making in communities.