This past year we had the privilege of being involved with ” Project 24″, a community effort to build a house for an injured Pinkston High School football player. Just over a year ago, Jared Williams suffered a spinal cord injury from a hit during a Pinkston football game. A handful of committed fellow players and a principal who allowed these boys to dream a dream began a process that made no sense at face value. Jared’s jersey number is ” 24 ” – his teammates got the idea they could raise enough money, 24 cents at a time, to build Jared a house. Word began to spread and before long the mayor of Dallas and the Dallas Independent School District were involved and behind the project.
We became involved through Builders of Hope, a home building company, which should be called a ” life re-building ” company. Norman Henry heads up this amazing company which buys property in the West Dallas area and employs a number of ex-offenders to work on houses as part of a program to re-connect these guys into society as leaders, husbands and men.
I had the honor of serving on a steering committee with Architect Ted Larson, Norman Henry, Norma Villegas (principal of Pinkston), builder Bill Wait and others who coordinated the plans and construction effort. I am grateful to Ramer Concrete, Texas Custom AV and Trinity Floor Company who, among others, partnered with us to make this project possible.
The thrill of seeing a vacant lot turn into a dream home for the Williams family is truly one of the most significant highlights of my career in the building industry. I truly experienced a house becoming a home when the Williams family took possession and realized the reality of a few who dared to have the faith to dream a dream for them.
Please access the link below to learn more about Jared and this amazing journey:
Project 24: The Jared Williams Story – You + Dallas
Source: youplusdallas.com
Gratefully submitted,
Ed