Burke Center for Youth is a nonprofit organization formed in 1973 to care for Texas children who are removed from their home environments due to abuse, neglect, or problems with the law. We are providing help and hope to children in crisis through our services. These are the children that belong to no one, and yet, they belong to us all. Help us to help these children in order that they may eventually belong in a family.

OUR MISSION with these children is to turn back the hands of time, and help them build self respect, self reliance, and self esteem.

OUR HOPE is to help them to unlock and melt away the pain and help them see that they are indeed loveable.

OUR GOAL is that they depart from here as productive, responsible citizens.

OUR WORK is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect..

We invite you to learn more about us and the youth we serve.

How To Help

If you can donate any of the items listed below, please contact the office nearest to you for delivery instructions.

Wish List for Pathfinders Residential Program

WORK PROJECTS:

• Paint the red school house

• Paint and do repairs to the barn

• Repair and finish out the construction of the greenhouse

• Remove and replace old signage

• Major repair work to the long building so that we can eventually use it for a common use kitchen and food service area and for "culinary arts" and "building trades" vocational classes.

• Help install a storage shed.

• Install watering system and plant trees in the orchard

SCHEDULED TIME INVOLVEMENT:

• Be a Sponsor Family (We would train you and match you with one child. You would become their special sponsor. You might take them to church and then out to lunch........send them letters.....call them on their birthday......ask them about their report card...

• Lead a Thursday evening “outdoor” chapel service (This is a one hour non-denominational service......talking, telling a story, singing......you can commit to one a month or just once in a while)

• Organize a Work Day ( We have so many projects: one-day and long-term

• Teach a Boy Scout Merit Badge Class

• Music instruction: Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.

• Assist with Eagle Scout Projects (We have many great projects on our campus)

• Cook Food for Special Occasions

• Filing, Bookkeeping, Answer phones in office

• Database entry

SPECIFIC NEEDS WISH LIST:

• Bunk Beds

• Luggage

• New/nearly new twin sheets and pillow cases

• New/nearly new towels

• New or gentle worn current style clothing and shoes: hiking boots, cowboy boots, jeans, t-shirts, dress pants, dress shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, sports caps, sports shoes, and coats to fit boys ages 11 to 17

• Sports equipment: baseball equip, flag football equip, volleyball, basketball, kickball

• Water sports equipment: fishing equipment, life vests, water safety equip

• Camping equipment: dome tents and sleeping bags (to withstand 20 degrees F.)

• Art supplies

• Boy Scout uniforms, gear, projects, books, etc.

• Green house equipment

• Horse stuff: good saddles, tack, hay, feeders, bridles

• Musical Instruments: guitars, drums, music stands, (if you have an instrument, call us to see if we can use it)

Wish List for Foster Care Placement Program

PROJECTS:

• Sponsor a Christmas party for the foster children connected to our office in your area.

• Become a transporter. Sometimes our families have several children that need to be in several places at one time and they need help in getting them there. This would require that you attend our trainings regularly.

• Cook Food for Special Occasions such as the foster parent trainings that occur every few months

• Filing, Bookkeeping, Answer phones for the office in your area

SPECIFIC NEEDS LIST:

• Bunk Beds: must have rails on the top bunk and a ladder

• Baby equipment, clothes, supplies, baby beds, high chairs, diapers, formula, baby monitors

• Water sports equipment: fishing equipment, life vests, water safety equip

• Office equipment: good working copy machines, fax machines, scanners, reliable and up to date computers, desks, conference tables, small couches, floor lamps, notebook computers.

MUCH NEEDED PAID POSITION: Respite Provider

You would take care of the children when the foster parents need a break. You would have to do all of our training and you would be reimbursed for respite work.