Page 50 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine
P. 50
HONORING J.T. & MARGARET
T ALKINGT ON
Pathways to Success
TALKINGTON FOUNDATION: A HAND UP FOR SINGLE MOTHERS BY RUSS DILDAY
bad, she said, “We couldn’t even Now 23, Breanae has been in
afford food. I love my son. I wanted the program for a year. She is a
it to be me and him. No matter what computer engineering student with a
we did, I wanted it to be me and 3.5 grade-point-average at Tech. And
him.” she’s found a home at Pathways.
Fortunately, Buckner Family “The apartment I have is a two
Pathways of Lubbock offered her bedroom,” she explained. “Maddex
a third choice. Buckner Family has his own room. This is our home,
Pathways is a place in Lubbock that (but) it’s more than you live here and
helps single parents strengthen go to school. You become a better
their families and reduce barriers person. You become a better mom.”
Last year, Breanae, a young mom, to self-sufficiency, such as a lack of “Family Pathways allowed me to
found herself in what seemed to be education and life skills. do my studies and still be a mom
a no-win situation, common among Program Director Sharion Stephens for Maddex,” she said. “We now
many working, single parents. As said Family Pathways “protects can eat. Sharion is a friend who has
a junior college student working to single parents earning an education really helped counsel me financially,
enroll at Texas Tech, she knew she by providing housing, access to child helping me set my personal goals.
needed a four-year college education care assistance and a variety of other She taught me how to cook and
to support herself and her then- services. We do all of this to protect budget.”
infant son, Maddex. But the financial families from domestic abuse,
pressures of caring for her small financial uncertainty, homelessness She’s also grown spiritually, an
family, while trying to continue her and hopelessness.” essential part of the Buckner
studies, were too much. A counselor at Tech suggested program. “Spiritually, I have more
trust in God. I used to think God
The no-win situation reached its Breanae apply for a spot in the let bad thigs happen to me. Now
peak when Breanae had to make a Pathways program. With no I know that He doesn’t make bad
hard decision: drop out and care for vacancies, it took almost a year for things happen; He gets you through
her son on low wages or focus on her to be admitted. But it proved to those tough times.”
her studies and place Maddex with be a turning point in her life.
relatives. Her situation became so
Talkington Foundation: A ‘Big Part’ of the Successes
“Buckner Family Pathways can only achieve successes like Brea’s
through supporters like the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Charitable
Foundation,” notes Buckner Gift Officer, Denese Thetford. “The
Talkington Foundation has supported Pathways through a significant
endowment, giving these local, single parents stability and the ability
to support their families through education. They are a big part of the
mix.”
Kathy McGee, Senior Executive Director for Buckner Children and
Family Services in West Texas, agreed. “We have seen many young
50 Lubbock Senior Link
