PINEYWOOD OUTREACH CENTER equips youth and families with tools needed to develop their lives spiritually, socially, academically and physically.
Pineywood Outreach Center (PWOC) is a community center located in Center, Texas, near the community of Possum Trot. It is a center dedicated to the youth and their families in Shelby County, Texas, where they are able to LEARN, GROW, AND DREAM. The center was built by the TV show, "Renovate My Family" for the Martins and for the community.
The 10,000-square foot building houses a library filled with books and computers, large screen TVs, a commercial size kitchen, a science room which looks like a planetarium, a play room for preschoolers and a full-size gymnasium for basketball and other activities. The building is located across the street from the Pineywoods Nursing Center, whose residents often come to read to the children; the children entertain the residents with music and dance.
Many young adults and adults from the community and Bennett Chapel Church donate their time toward mentoring and tutoring the youth at Pineywood Center. The building is completely paid for by Fox Network and "Renovate My Family." However, the staff salaries, utilities, maintenance and upkeep are paid by donations to the Bennett Chapel Family Ministry.
Please click on an album below to learn more about the facility, programs and children of Pineywood Center.
Programs at Pineywood
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: Each evening from 3-7 pm during the school year, the center provides tutoring, mentoring and enrichment for the children in Shelby County. We provide help in academics and homework, a safe and loving environment, affirmation and a warm supper before the children return home for the evening. Enrollment averages about 30-50 elementary through high school students.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP: Programs during summer include group activities, learning activities, life-skill activities, leadership development, a week of Vacation Bible School and a week of basketball camp.
FOOD BANK AND EMERGENCY SERVICES: Each month Pineywood Center provides boxes of food for people in Shelby County who need help with food. Vans also take food supplies to shut-ins in rural areas who are not able to come to PWOC. Weekly, Bishop W.C. Martin and other volunteers drive almost 100 miles to Tyler, TX to pick up both perishable and non-perishable foods from a food warehouse, load it into vans and a trailer and return to PWOC. The food is then unloaded and stored in boxes and containers to be distributed the second Thursday of each month. At present, PWOC serves about 300 families each month and several other churches have become part of the volunteer staff. Some of this food and emergency service is supported through grants from a regional agency in the state of Texas.
EVENING BASKETBALL GAMES, FAMILY NIGHTS, ADOPTION CLASSES, DANCES, AND CONCERTS are also part of the programs at PWOC.
Through the eyes of a child...
Last summer when at the Pineywood VBS, the teachers also taught some academics. The following essay was written by a middle school student in response to a writing prompt "Who is your Hero?"
Have you ever looked outside your window and seen a poor, homeless child outside? Or maybe you have heard people complaining about how hard it is to find a good day care or babysitting service. Has anyone ever told you that they have nowhere to take their children while they work? Well, you might have wanted to help them but didn’t have the time or money to do it. A man who goes by the name of Pastor Martin did the impossible. He opened a center that would change the way all parents living in Center, Texas, looked at childcare. It is called the Pineywood Outreach Center. This wonderful establishment is the perfect place to send your child. Pastor Martin has set up classes with teachers who teach various subjects that are taught in the classroom. I have seen first hand what this facility is like and it has been a wonderful experience to be under the watchful eyes of this man. Pastor Martin was always smiling. He is a very kind, generous and loving man who has helped his community in a very positive way. Besides him being a pastor, father, husband, and role maker, he is my hero.
--Written by Kanesha Hill