my friend Robert and I started on a journey with just an idea and a dream.
We started out by googling, “how to write a business plan.” We gathered any money we had, and opened an account for the PARC. As we moved ahead with little understanding of the process, we began to see the dream become a reality. We found a building that was originally a swingers club. It needed a ton of work but all we could see were the possibilities. After months of uncertainty, answered prayers, setbacks, favor, and hard work, the doors of the PARC opened on November 19, 2014. It wasn’t long before we realized that the vision and our core values which we based everything on, was truly working! Success happened quickly as we began to fill a gap in our community by helping those experiencing homelessness find hope and realize their possibilities.
At the PARC, we still believe in the same core values set in place since day one. It’s an honor to see these principles at work everyday and watch the effect they have on those experiencing homelessness.
In the last couple of years, our attendance has doubled and then tripled! Even with the higher numbers, success happens quickly when those experiencing homelessness choose to be a part of what we do. We see a high success rate of members getting into homes, finding jobs, going to school, etc. This simple plan of showing value and acceptance is powerful and effective. We are changing lives and our community.
It has always been our plan to grow and expand. In our ten years of business we have acquired three lots and a warehouse next to the PARC. After years of planning and drawing, evolving and redrawing, we are rebuilding. In September of 2024, we tore down our building to make way for the new. It is so incredible to watch this physical representation of all our years of growth. I encourage you to come see us in the process.
Rebuilding our space to better host our members is vital. Being located on the edge of downtown makes us a vital part of the rebuilding of our city as well.
the PARC’s main goal is to break the cycle of homelessness for every individual. Downtown Amarillo is changing. It’s time for homelessness to change, too!
Valerie Gooch, Executive Director
