Reef Life's Foundation Director Family Community Center History
Updated: 6 days ago
Guyon Saunders Resource Center
Co- Founder Melody Saunders Brenna created the Guyon Saunders Resource Center helps connect health providers with Amarillo community with her father, Guyon Saunders who worked with multiple charitable entities in Texas benefitting his home state, following the footsteps of his father, Guy C. Saunders who, with colleagues created the first children's home in North Texas in 1922
Out of a single decisive moment
In 1923, Dr. R. Thomsen, minister for what is today’s First Presbyterian Church, and some friends, including civic leaders Guy C. Saunders and Allen Early, Sr., were meeting for coffee when they saw three children standing outside, crying. The children were orphaned, hungry, and in need of clean clothing. At this critical point, these men chose to act: to feed and clothe the children and find them proper care.
GUYON SAUNDERS RESOURCE CENTER
Portrait of Saunders hanging in the atrium of the Guyon Saunders Resource Center
The community resource center, housing 17 organizations, is named for the former chairman of Corporate Systems, who died in 2006. Guyon Saunders had a heart for the homeless that included giving of money and a place to shelter.
"I don't know anybody in Amarillo I admire as much," said Joe Street, who co-chaired the 2001 United Way of Amarillo and Canyon fundraising campaign with Saunders. "If I had to choose one person to model my life after, it would be him."
The Guyon Saunders Resource Center is a place few just drive past. It's almost hidden on the northern edge of downtown's Tyler Street just beyond Second Avenue. To drive there is to stop there. There's about 160, however, who stop there daily. But they don't drive. They walk. They're Amarillo's homeless.
"The public really doesn't know what we do," Knight said. "Someone the other day called us 'homeless headquarters.' But we are the entry point in town for the homeless."
Between 500 and 600 unduplicated homeless walk through the GSRC every month. For most, the only place they know to turn is through the glass doors where there's a full-time staff of three, three security guards and 20 volunteer staffers.
The Guyon Saunders Resource Center hosted 18 community organizations during their GSRC Reconnect event — the center’s first community health fair in years.
“The center has been a link between different organizations and the homeless and poor,” said Vince Hernandez, GSRC executive director. “Today is about connecting people with things and groups. We want everyone to feel like this is a place where they can serve from.” 'The trenches' of the homeless
Mustard's group serves 10,000th burger at Guyon Saunders Resource Center
Can you tell us a little about your grandfather’s involvement with The Amarillo Children’s Home?
"I am very proud of my grandfather. He was a remarkable man who accomplished a great deal in his lifetime, but he was most proud of being one of the four men who, at the Amarillo Hotel one day in 1923, realized the need for a home for children in Amarillo and followed through with a plan."
All of us have a responsibility to help people who are, for one reason or another, without. The Children’s Home enables Amarillo to do just that. It gives children a homelike environment – allowing them to grow up in a good family – and gives the Amarillo community an opportunity to meet the obligation it has to care for its people. Stories Archives - Amarillo Children's Home
Guyon Saunders and two grandsons, Guyon and Stirling planning a ski trip.
To laugh often and to love much, to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of oneself; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know that even one life breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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