On Winchester Road, near Airways, lies the Bent Tree Apartments. And there’s something very special going on at Bent Tree. This isn’t an apartment complex, it’s an apartment community.
For more than 10 years, Pastor James Williams and his wife Sandra have focused their time and energy squarely on Bent Tree, establishing a church, homework assistance center, and GED center on-site. And the hard work and long hours are paying off with improved report cards, honor roll winners, lower crime, and lives forever changed by the support they help provide.
As I visited with Pastor Williams recently at Bent Tree, three young ladies walked up to say hello to him. His eyes lit up, and I could tell he hadn’t seen them in awhile. “Years ago, they were students in our homework assistance center…now they’re in college,” he said. It was a testament to what’s being accomplished here at Bent Tree.
Sandra Williams, a former schoolteacher, oversees the homework assistance effort. She says they see 75 to 100 students for tutoring each week.
But the work doesn’t stop there. This December, the Williams’ organized the third annual Christmas Store where local children could purchase pre-wrapped gifts for their family members for 50 cents each. The Williams’ also distribute warm coats, hats, and gloves for those who need them during this cold winter and arrange for the children in their community to visit a nursing home so they learn how to give back. It’s a circle of support that’s proving to be very effective.
Tour
the Hope Center at Bent Tree Apartments from Sara Brock on Vimeo.
Tell us what you think. Do you think more multihousing complexes in Memphis would benefit from similar onsite support for residents?
You can volunteer at the Hope Center at Bent Tree by contacting Pastor James Williams at (901) 494-6331. Their organization can use tutors, school supplies, snacks, and donations of many types. And feel free to visit their worship service on Sunday mornings at 10am, it’s one of my favorites.
