One of my more unusual accomplishments is being named “Head Coach of the Year” for a Catholic youth football league. Now, before you assume I have some hidden football talent—let me stop you there. That honor had little to do with football prowess and everything to do with faith, grit, and showing up when no one else would.
Here’s the story.
When my son was in middle school, he wanted to play football. But his small Catholic school didn’t offer the sport. We learned he could join a Catholic Youth Football League—if we could gather enough students to form a team.
So, I got to work. We rallied enough interest from other students and pulled together the team. The only problem? No one would coach the team.
My son was devastated. His dream of playing football seemed to be slipping away. So, I did what moms do—I told him not to worry. I said, “If no one else steps up, I’ll coach the team. And I trust that God will send me the right people.”
Now, I’ll be honest with you—I was worried. I had six brothers, so I knew the basics of football. But coaching? That’s a different story. Still, I was willing to take a leap of faith. I went out and bought Football for Dummies (yes, really!) and started reading.
We scheduled our first practice. I stood in front of the dads who showed up with their sons and shared the vision for what we were trying to build. By the end of that first practice, four dads had stepped up to coach alongside me.
God is good.
So why am I telling you this story?
Because the journey to building Community Forever Village started the same way. With a dream. With a “what if.” Learning how to navigate the specific challenges we face in Denton and with a proven example in Austin’s Community First! Village, we set out with full faith that we could bring our vision to realization.
Just like my son’s dream of playing football when there wasn’t a team, this started with one person who had a vision: “I want to use my land to help people.” That individual toured Community First! Village in Austin and said, “This is it. This is what I want to do with my land.”
Then came someone who said, “I’ll champion that cause. I don’t know how—but I’m willing.”
That was in 2021. And now, four years later, we are close to turning that vision into reality—a community that provides a permanent housing with supportive services for our chronically homeless neighbors.
Just like those dads who showed up at practice and said, “We’re in,” we’re looking for you.
Will you join the team?
You can help make this dream a reality:
✅ Donate to support the mission
✅ Volunteer your time or skills
✅ Follow us on social media and share our story
Together, we’re not just building houses.
We’re building community.
