Recently, members of the Lufkin Street Ministries 2540 leadership team traveled to Austin, Texas, to visit Community First! Village, a residential community created to serve individuals coming out of chronic homelessness. Joining me on the trip was one of our community board members, Calvan Lewis, along with Dr. Steve Shaffer of Mission Alive, who serves on our Executive Board.
What we saw that day was more than housing. It was community. It was dignity. It was a place where people who had once lived on the margins were finding stability, purpose, and belonging.
For us, the visit was not simply about learning what another city has done well. It was about asking an important question: Could something like this exist in Lufkin?
One of the most powerful voices during the visit was Calvan’s. Calvan once experienced homelessness himself. Today he serves on our board and advocates for those still living on the streets. His voice carries the weight of lived experience—something that cannot be learned from a textbook or report.
But Calvan’s story carries another layer that deeply shapes his perspective. Calvan is blind. Throughout the tour, he asked thoughtful questions about how homes and community spaces were designed for people living with disabilities. He wanted to ensure that if something like this were ever developed in our community, it would be accessible and welcoming to everyone. His questions were a powerful reminder that when we talk about solutions to homelessness, we must remember the many different challenges people carry—physical disabilities, trauma, mental health struggles, addiction recovery, and more.
Later, as we sat together and reflected on what we had experienced, the conversation began to shift from observation to imagination. What would it look like to build something like this in Lufkin? Not necessarily a copy of what we saw—but a community shaped by the needs of the people we serve here. A place where individuals could move off the streets and into safe housing. A place where dignity replaces survival mode. A place where neighbors become family. A place where those who once felt forgotten can rediscover purpose.
Calvan shared how excited he was about the possibility. But he also offered an important reminder. If we ever pursue something like this, it cannot be done simply because it sounds good or looks impressive. It must be done because it truly improves people’s lives. It must be built with intentional care for those who often struggle the most to advocate for themselves.
His words continue to shape the way we think about the future. At Lufkin Street Ministries 2540, we have spent years building relationships on the streets of our city. We’ve sought to know the names, the stories, and the struggles of many of our marginalized neighbors. Our work has always been about more than temporary help. It has been about walking with people toward restoration. And while we know that a vision like this would take time, partnership, and prayer, the seed of possibility has been planted.
What if one day Lufkin had a place where people coming out of homelessness could rebuild their lives? What if our community came together to create a village of hope? What if the very people who once lived on the streets helped shape and lead the community itself? These are the kinds of questions we are beginning to explore. And we believe the answers may lie in something powerful: a community willing to care deeply about its most vulnerable neighbors.
The road ahead will require collaboration with churches, nonprofits, civic leaders, and compassionate supporters. But every meaningful movement begins with a vision. And we believe that together, Lufkin can be a place where restoration is not just hoped for—it is built.
Jason M. Hollinger, Ministry Leader, Lufkin Street Ministries 25:40