At Buckner Dominicana, Maxin found far more than just support; she found hope, guidance, and real opportunities to transform her life. Today, she is an entrepreneur and the founder of Lazos Maxin, a business that generates income for her family and has restored her self-confidence. Learn more about our impact at Buckner Dominican Republic: na2.hubs.ly/H061qNb0

We sat with husband, father, and Fatherhood EFFECT graduate, Adrian Moreno, and talk about the program, his journey to East Texas, and how men navigate being a provider and dad. Sons, daughters, societal expectations, and what it means to be a man in a changing world, nothing is off topic in this episode of Shining Hope with Buckner International. Listen today on Spotify: na2.hubs.ly/H061cyJ0

In Texas, more than 1,000 youth age out of foster care each year. When youth age out of the foster care system between 18 to 23 years old, they are vulnerable to addiction, human trafficking and homelessness. With little support, former foster youth are left to navigate from adolescence to adulthood on their own. For National Youth Aging Out Day, you can help by fostering or adopting a teen through Waiting Texas Children and providing mentorship for youth who may not have a positive person in their life. To learn more, sign up for one of our virtual information meetings. na2.hubs.ly/H059Dpm0

In this interview, you will hear the heart behind Buckner’s mission and how we work to keep kids safe. We give as much support as we can to the foster parents because they are the ones that build kids back to normalcy. Together, we are working with foster parents to build an environment of healing for kids, preparing them for the future, and raising them up to be the next generation. Head over to na2.hubs.ly/H05C-l90 to hear the rest of the interview. We promise you will leave inspired. Warning: You will want to sign up as a foster parent.

At Buckner our job is to advocate for kids. So, if that means extra emails, long nights, and numerous calls, we will do it. We will fight to try and keep families together when it’s best for the child. We will put in the extra hours to learn the needs of each kid. And if there’s one thing we can promise, it’s this — we won’t stop. If you want to join the fight, visit our website and sign up for a virtual info meeting. We hope to see you there, boxing gloves optional. na2.hubs.ly/H059G4W0

This year, committee members have introduced six bills to modernize the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (“Chafee”) to improve outcomes for youth aging out of foster care by improving resources and access to housing, education and training programs. The program currently provides support to foster youth and former foster youth, ages 14 to 21, as they transition to adulthood and independence. Several years ago, FYi (Foster Youth to Independence) vouchers were introduced to help limit out-of-pocket housing costs. Buckner provides these vouchers through our FYi program. With the expansion of services proposed in the new legislature, former foster youth will have the opportunity to receive more services up to the age of 26. Visit na2.hubs.ly/H059DlD0 to learn more about Buckner’s programs for former foster youth.

In 2025, there were over 27,000 children in foster care in Texas. There is still a great need for foster families. May is National Foster Care Month and a great time to consider opening your home to a child. If you want to learn more, we encourage you to join our free virtual information meeting. You can learn more about Buckner and foster care as well as ask questions. Will you join us? Visit na2.hubs.ly/H059G4w0 to learn more.

Today is Blue Sunday, a day to pray for victims of child abuse. We encourage you to share and use the following graphics for prayer.

Instead of threatening punishments or yelling, we can teach children to regulate their emotions and their bodies. By separating their outbursts from our own past experiences, we can parent with empathy and compassion, building trust and strengthening our connection. That’s why Buckner teaches parents the benefits of trust-based relational intervention, or TBRI parenting. Adding these tools to your parenting toolkit can help reduce yelling, stress, and anxiety in your home. Watch the full video at hubs.la/Q04cMWWP0

When we separate our children’s outbursts from our own childhood expectations, we can begin to parent with empathy and compassion, building trust and deepening the relationship. Instead of threatening punishments or yelling, we can help children learn to regulate their bodies by modeling how to regulate ours. Some ways we can do this is by: 💙 Noticing the signs of stress 💙 Learning how to manage stress 💙 Practicing intentional prayers

Show us your blue as we stand up together against child abuse!

Proper shoes can have a huge impact in the lives of children, providing them with educational opportunities, health, and more. Change a child's life today with the gift of shoes at the link in our bio: hubs.ly/Q04bbnTB0

Even with all the pressure and expectations placed on us from society or even our own parents, many of us didn’t grow up learning the tools needed to manage stress and regulate our emotions. Stopping generational trauma plays a crucial role in ending child abuse and becoming a better parent.  But in order to stop the cycle, we must do the hard work.

Did you know all children placed in foster care in Texas are there due to abuse or neglect? In 2025, there were more than 51,000 confirmed victims* of child abuse and neglect in Texas. While this number is gut-wrenching, there is hope. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness and our voices. That's why we provide services for vulnerable families and children to help keep children safe. Whether through counseling services or foster care, the goal remains the same — to provide a safe and loving home for children. Visit hubs.la/Q047-5yZ0 to find out more.

Women involved in our Buckner Family Pathways program in Midland had the opportunity to learn about the home-buying process, lenders, and realtor school from guest speaker Andrea DelaCruz. We are grateful for collaborations that help our participants build the valuable skills! Learn how you can support initiatives like these: hubs.la/Q048gdrM0

Strengthened. Empowered. Hopeful. This is what we hear from our Buckner Family Pathways graduates after completing the program. Because when women rise, their families rise too. That’s why we provide single moms with safe, affordable housing, child care, counseling, and more — so moms can be fully present at school and at home, building a future for generations to come. Visit hubs.la/Q046r7KP0 to learn about Family Pathways. #NationalSingleParentDay #BucknerFamilyPathways

March is #NationalNutritionMonth. Proper nutrition is essential in creating stable and healthy environments for children to grow up in and plays a critical role in brain and body development. At our Family Hope Centers, we have resources to support your child and family in creating a healthier, brighter future. To view our locations and resources, visit: hubs.la/Q045fk660

Senior residents at Buckner Calder Woods in Beaumont celebrated Valentine's Day with an annual dance and dinner and a couple from our community was also able to share a few words of advice for young marriages! Check out our coverage aired over this weekend on KBMT ABC and KJAC NBC at: hubs.la/Q043fdCm0

Spreading love to everyone this Valentine's Day, from the Buckner team to you! 💌

#BlackHistoryMonth honors the triumphs and struggles of Black people throughout history. By honoring the stories of Black individuals, we can inspire every child to see themselves as part of a legacy, resilience, and courage.