Buckner Family Pathways Celebrates First Graduating Class
By Jenny Pope
Buckner Family Pathways graduates Nia Willis, Cawindy Spead and Daveta Lacy celebrated their achievements Oct. 14 with friends and family, and members of Buckner’s Circle of Angels during a special brunch and presentation at the Buckner Children’s Home campus in East Dallas.
“This is our first group of graduates from the program,” said KaSandra Jones, director of Family Pathways. “Today shows all the ladies that if they work hard, then it can be accomplished. Their dreams can come true.”
Each graduate has completed the coursework at El Centro Community College to become accredited as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). They are currently in the process of securing apartments and preparing for the state board exams.
“This place is awesome,” said Spead, acknowledging that before Family Pathways she and her two children were left homeless following a bad marriage.
“It’s been the greatest support system in my life. I felt like I was worthless, but God has placed us in a true safe haven and we are truly blessed.
“Through all our losses, Buckner was there for us,” she said.
Lacy said she was “brought here for a reason. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I have if I wasn’t here. In some people’s families, everyone goes to college. But in my family, it’s not like that. I hope this shows them that they can do it, too.”
The women of the Circle of Angels have supported the Family Pathways program since its inception three years ago and served as hostesses for the celebration to honor the ladies’ accomplishments.
“I just cried the entire time with happiness for them,” said Circle of Angels member Margaret Johnson. “It’s amazing to me how the Lord continues to save us.”
For more information on the Buckner Family Pathways program, please contact KaSandra Jones at (214) 319-3462 or at kjones@buckner.org.
